Integrated Amp. vs Separate Preamp. & Power Amp.

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Integrated Amp. vs Separate Preamp. & Power Amp.

Postby Kier » Mon Jan 24, 2005 9:11 pm

What will render a significant improvement in sound, to use an integrated amp or a separate preamp & amp.?, considering each component are in a same price range. If there's any, what kind of improvement will it provide on the sounds/music reproduction :?:
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Postby gabrieldoremi » Tue Jan 25, 2005 10:03 am

amplifier with less stages sounds better. More stages increase the distortion.
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Postby ozzie » Tue Jan 25, 2005 11:31 am

depende sa principle of equipment matching.

One time I listened to a 2002 preamp- 1970's-80'spower tube amp combo (around P50-60k) vs integrated vintage 1960's amp (around P22k) focusing on light jazz.

I bought the integrated amp! Music was livelier and voices were much rounder than the pre-power combo at a much reduced price.

But this depends on what system you are comparing. I have heard pre-power combo systems (esp solid states) better than integrated.

hope this helps.

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Re: Integrated Amp. vs Separate Preamp. & Power Amp.

Postby SoFtCliPpEr » Tue Jan 25, 2005 12:21 pm

Kier wrote:What will render a significant improvement in sound, to use an integrated amp or a separate preamp & amp.?, considering each component are in a same price range. If there's any, what kind of improvement will it provide on the sounds/music reproduction :?:


Hehe for one thing if your a scrooge for interconnects the integrated amp is the way to go. There are no fixed norms on this subject simply because it would all boil down to one's personal choices and other components on hand to reproduce the sonic magic.

If your into audio/video integration a top ended A/V receiver would be more logical. One which will provide you the magic of THX Ultra2/Musicmode, DTS and the 7.1 setup and many more which is sadly lacking in most hi-ended separates which mainly caters to high roller audio enthusiasts.

If ever confronted to make hard choices, choose tube separate gear for your audio flings and integrated Solid State gear to handle any digital audio/video multichannel music. Keep the popcorn in the movie theater and not in your music for best results hehe.

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Postby ISKANDRIAN » Tue Jan 25, 2005 3:04 pm

wat does scrooge for interconnects mean? is it better to spend on interconnects and not on powercords?
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Postby botching » Tue Jan 25, 2005 3:09 pm

It depends - not all separates sound better than an integrated amp in the same price range. The only way for you to find out is to audition both gears. And it would be better if you can audition BOTH tube and solid state amps. :)
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Postby JackD201 » Tue Jan 25, 2005 8:03 pm

the guys are right it's a matter of economics. There are very good integrateds out there both tube and ss. The question is when you eventually upgrade will you be willing to take the whole hit? Separates give you a more flexible upgrade path or downgrade for that matter.

Arguments for integrated: pre and power optimally matched by manufacturer, no need for interconnects, cheaper because components share the chassis and in most cases power supply.
Arguments against them: pre-amp section not isolated from PS noise of power section, lower power reserves, higher noise floor. Harder to sell. not flexible as far as system matching to find your personal preference.
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Postby Octaver » Wed Jan 26, 2005 9:04 am

It's an analogy between Jack of all Trade & Specialist. Separates really excell in terms of performance. Some high-end equipment have separate power supply also. The real reason SEPARATES
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Postby Kier » Wed Jan 26, 2005 11:07 am

I'm planning to buy an integrated amp temporarily because of economic reason but my target eventually is to go separates to complete my audio setup.

JackD201 wrote:
The question is when you eventually upgrade will you be willing to take the whole hit?

JackD201,
This is what I don't want to happen. :cry:

What if I'll first purchase a brand new power amp. & for the mean time use a cheap pre-owned preamp 'till I can afford to buy a brand new peamp. OR to buy an intergrated amp and then after a power amp. upgrade use the integrated as pre-amp?

If I'll use the int. amp. only as a preamp, will it perform as good as a dedicated preamp.?
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Postby JackD201 » Wed Jan 26, 2005 11:49 am

The likely scenario will be you will eventually get separates anyway. This is what I mean, and this is something practically all of us here have experienced.

1. Stay away from Receivers like the plague, they have practically no resale value.
2. When you sell your integrated that will cover the price of a higher level pre-amp only if you're very lucky
3. No.2 above plus cost of power amps and a run of interconnects equals ganoon din

The benefit however is that if you buy an integrated now, you can start listening NOW. OR you can enjoy exactly what you have now. Save up for the separates and save yourself some bucks.

I come from the "One-Time Big-Time" (hayop sa saying iyan) school where I save up and audition for (at times) years denying instant gratification and then do the whole hog to ensure system synergies. (Except with speakers where I'm a serial buyer/collector.....sigh). In my opinion, if you don't get the pre-power together everytime you play music you're just going to look at the weaker link and feel bad, anxious, bitin, or nanghihinayang because you know that the potential is not being unleashed. With an integrated you have less distractions. Kakalito ba? That's the fun of it! Well whatever you decide, good luck pare.
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Postby Kier » Thu Jan 27, 2005 6:43 pm

To sum it up:
1. the route to integrated will save me buck.
2. not all separates outperform integrated.
3. but most often separates will give more sonic improvement than integrated.
4. audition the gear

I think I have no choice as of now but to go to integrated since budget weight considerably for me right now. And hopefully, find an integrated that can equal a performance of a separates. And to produce enough budget when the calling for an upgrade kick in.

Thanks to all. :wink:
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Postby ozzie » Thu Feb 24, 2005 6:50 pm

how much is your budget?
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Postby Kier » Fri Feb 25, 2005 10:26 pm

I have made an order to one of our friendly hi-fi store, i guess the int. amp. will arrived this march. My budget is around 40-50k.
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Postby JackD201 » Sat Feb 26, 2005 2:53 am

Enjoy the music Kier! :)
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Postby ichabod » Sat Feb 26, 2005 7:49 am

In practical terms kier, that's all there is to it!

Audio is like the song "I'm in a New York State of Mind." If music is more important than audio itself, your needs will serve you better than your wants.
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Postby JackD201 » Sat Feb 26, 2005 12:10 pm

"your needs will serve you better than your wants"

TRUE WORDS OF WISDOM
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Postby JackD201 » Mon Sep 05, 2005 2:30 pm

Mods please move to Tech Archive. Tnx guys!
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