2. amps-preamps
  3. 187580-166623

another rookie question - preamp or or power amp

I have a decent integrated amp ("decent" - to my ears). SS, 50Watts to 8 Ohms. It  has a preamp output. 

I have been looking at used power amps and preamps in the 2-400 dollar range.  

For example: the Parasound 2125 power amp, the Parasound P3

This is an OR question. Which choice will yield a better improvement,

1) if I put a preamp before my integrated so the integrated acts as the power amp

or 2) if I use my integrated as a preamp to a power amp?

It's also a choice to sell my integrated and save up until I can buy both a power amp and a preamp, but obviously I am itching to try one of the above options. 

My room is 15x13 so I am not sure I need a big power amp (big: 100Watts?)

 

grislybutter
immatthewj
2,383 posts
 

I haven't approached them with an offer lower than the posted price, but good idea!

That's hwo I wound up buying the SLP90 I alluded to, and he readily accepted the offer, so I think I should have low-balled him even more.  Ha ha.

audiotroy's avatar
audiotroy
3,851 posts
 

the idea that separates are always better is just wrong

 

what matters is the quality of the parts

 

if you are on a limited budget lookat an integrated from a high end company

the nuprime ida8 is fantastic piece

Dave and troy

audio intellect NJ

40 year industry veterans

knotscott's avatar
knotscott
1,006 posts
 

@audiotroy

,,,what matters is the quality of the parts

True, but it’s worth noting that if you took the preamp section out of a good integrated amp, gave it it’s own power supply and enclosure, and used it to power the same amp, it would have some benefits over the integrated version of the same components.  How much of a difference that can be heard is another variable by itself, but there's definitely that potential.

There’s never a free lunch though...separates require a separate set of RCA connectors, which can introduce a new source for degradation if not done well. The good news is that it’s not hard to do a competent job of picking that cable.

noromance's avatar
noromance
9,963 posts
 

+1 

@tomic601 you are Santa :) I will follow up, thank you

perkri
913 posts
 

Here’s a bit of a change in direction from what people are suggesting.

 

I would consider an Adcom GFA-545 power amp.

 

Inexpensive to buy. Well designed circuit. Big power supply. 
 

I picked one up so I could have a higher power amp on hand for driving my DIY speakers. All my other amps are below 30w.

 

For the couple of hundred bucks you’re gonna spend on it, it’ll provide a lot of joy.

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