benefits of adding a power amp to a budget system?

What's your most frequently used source?

Wilsynet- I recently sold a Krell KAV 3250. It was driving my Martin Logan Ascents. The Krell was an incredible amp. Before I sold it I tried it with my living room system.(Marantz reciever,Kef Q9's) I ran the Krell out of the marantz via the pre-outs. I literally couldn't even tell it was in the chain. I was going to do the same thing your thinking of,but since I really couldn't hear an audible difference I'm going to leave it the way it was. I agree with your local high fi salesman,and applaud him for sound advice.

In my opinion, the amplifier will impact a system for better or worse more so than any other component.

An excellent amplifier will most always make a mediocre pair of speakers sound almost spectacular. But a mediocre amplifier will never make an excellent pair of speakers sound spectacular.

For what it's worth, the vast majority would seem to agree with your salesman. But then again, the majority are usually wrong, right? :)

So to answer your question, it is absolutely in your best interest to upgrade to a seperate amp now. But that's assuming you upgrade to a worthwhile amp. Otherwise the answer is no.

And before you buy a new/old amp, do some extensive research on amplification because there are a few fabulous amps available for a song. Otherwise, you'll end up substantiating your saleman and other like minds claims.

-IMO

a creek integrated would be a nice match with the kefs. would improve all areas looking at.