2. amps-preamps
  3. 1150684006

benefits of adding a power amp to a budget system?

I had posted in here before about possibly adding a power amp to my budget audio system.

I have a HK AVR 235 receiver (50 watts per channel RMS) hooked up to a pair of KEF Q5 speakers.

I am considering the purchase of an older power amp, like the CJ sonographe SA 250. I would like to improve the musicality, detail, bass response, soundstage, etc, while providing an upgrade path in the future.

I went to a local hifi store to see what they might have, and the salesman told me that adding a poweramp would do very little for me, that what I really need to do is upgrade my speakers, and then consider a sep amplifier.

Is there really little benefit to adding a sep amplifier at this time?
wilsynet
vicdamone
850 posts
 
A few questions.

What are your source components, Make and models, vinyl, CD?

What kind of music do you mainly listen to?

What's your listening room like, approximate size? Where are the speakers now?

What are your likes and dislikes about the speakers you currently have? Have you tried many different speaker placement options? Some of the goals you mentioned can be had through speaker placement and a little room treatment. Set the speakers up as per manufactures instructions. Get an office chair with wheels and slowly roll yourself in between the speakers and listen for the sound stage to lock in.

What speakers did the salesperson suggest as an upgrade?

Have you heard any system that has really sonically impressed you? Do you have a goal in mind?

Why the Sonograph?

Did you know there are many manufactures and retailers that offer satisfaction return policies and/or home auditioning? It's very important that you hear improvements in your home. Using these services you can broaden you hands on knowledge and hopefully refine and define your goal.
hbarrel's avatar
hbarrel
387 posts
 
The getting better speakers was sound advice.
tobias
1,534 posts
 
I like most of Douglas Schroeder's advice. Without knowing how good your source is (if it is not great you should upgrade it first), swapping your HK for a high-quality integrated would give you the best sound value right now IMHO. As for buying a power amp now, I would much rather have a good preamp and an ordinary amp to listen to while I saved, than have the reverse. With a good integrated you get both and you save on interconnects as well.

However unlike Douglas, if I were you I wouldn't change my present speakers until the end of the upgrade cycle. This is because each time you improve what you feed them, they will sound better.
prpixel
876 posts
 
Since nobody asked: How good do you think the pre-amp section of the HK is? Are there pre-amp outs?

If the pre-amp section in the HK sucks, then it doesn't matter what you hook up to it; it's still going to suck.
vman71
218 posts
 
Wilsynet,

Read the thread that was started on 5-26-06 that is titled "Will increasing the size of the amp improve sound quality".

Not knowing what your budget is, has some influence on the best answer. However, if your budget is $300 or less, I would say that the right answer, without a doubt, is to upgrade your speaker crossover networks. It'll probably run you closer to $200-225. Upgrading your speaker crossover networks will improve the entire frequency spectrum (highs, mids, lows).

Mike
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