Amp Search and Upgrade

The normal path is to add an amp and use the Integrated as a preamp.

There is a nice JC5 from Parasound right now used on Audiomart, I suppose that would be the best match if I am using the HJint as pre?

That preamp is gonna make whatever amp you get sound muted.  I have a P6 and it is a swiss army knife.  It will do everything but processes the signal too much in the process.  

Best buy in amps right now is the Kinki Studios EX-M1+.   It is an integrated so you don't need a a preamp.  It should make you happy until your budget is $10K plus per component.

Jerry

I'd consider upgrading the Node 2i. I think that is your weak spot. I fall short in recommendation except maybe an Aurender. Many have pointed out a big improvement when upgrading from the Node. And I have discovered that the source equipment  often give best bang per buck

He isn't using the DAC in the node.  The node is a fine streamer.

@carlsbad I don't know that I could get over the looks on the Kinki tbh. But you're saying either stick with a better integrated or get a pre and and amp I believe. 

artemus_5 is right up grade source and Dac the Innous mini  about same price is much better

I'm not going to argue with you guys on whether it is worth it to upgrad the streamer but at least don't try to convice a guy to upgrade his streamer before his amp. the streamer is at least a questionable improvement as show my how many disagree with it's value and should at least be one of the last upgrades you do.  --Jerry

Jerry👎

Bad source into a great amp still sounds bad

Ignore the dogpile on the node as a streamer, it's more than adequate. The first response above is the best one. Use the hint6 as a pre amp temporarily. If you feel that you like parasound, I'd suggest a pair of used JC1's. Then spend another $4k next time on an amazing tube based preamp, a la don sachs.

Currently I am happy with the Node 2i and feeding what I think is a very nice DAC that is well regarded. If anything, I'd do an upgrade to its power supply with Teddy Pardo. If I tackle the pre/ amp this year then next year I might upgrade source.

My vote goes to a new amp, something with more current capability will astound you. Low impedance speakers need an amplifier with a big power supply! Think Bryson, which also has a very high slew rate. Best wishes.

Go for the amplifier! 

Get a nice amp from Van Alstine using the Hint6 as a pre. Then later get a nice tube pre-amp. Just my thoughts. It’s a journey.

Since you have Dali loudspeakers, you might want to consider another Peter Lyngdorf brainchild, namely a Lyngdorf integrated amp. You'd be replacing the streamer, DAC, and integrated amp with a one-box solution. The TDAI-1120 and the pricier TDAI-3400 both come with room correction processors ("Room Perfect"). Room correction may make a much bigger difference to your system's sound quality than just buying a new amp (provided either of the Lyngdorfs deliver enough umph for your room and listening needs, for a price you're willing to pay).

The streamer is not going to improve anything....if it streams and does not drop out, that's it. Unless you need some ultra hi resolution capability, which is another can of worms....

@dadork Funny you don't like the looks of the Kinki.  It is highly complemented in reviews.  I certainly don't think I have good taste in what looks good so my opinion isn't very valuable but I like the simplicity.  It is generally referred to as a swiss look as is the sound. But I agree you shouldn't buy it if you don't like it.

I'm just saying you should realize that the pre is really going to hold back any amp.  I don't know how you can evaluate any amp with a bad preamp.  think of perfection as total clarity and every amp or pre removes some of it.  Lets use some numbers I'll pull out of my armpit:  suppose your great amp removes 2% and your pre 1% of the "goodness".   Now you've got a 97% signal.  Now put a peamp removing 30% of the goodness and it doesn't matter much waht the amp does.  It will be hard to tell a 2% amp from a 10% amp on my arbitrary scale. 

I retired my parasound system when I switched from inefficient speakers to efficient speakers.  However, I wanted the HT bypass function on the Parasound preamp so I tried it in front of my new tube amp that I would call a 97% amp on my arbitrary scale above.  It was like putting up a thin wall between me and the speakers.  My amp couldn't shine. Lasted 5 minutes.

Jerry

Having the Node 2i also but using a reference external DAC is not the issue at all.  We also have the Aurender and we will compare this week also using an external DAC.

You can upgrade the amp for not that much and see how you like something when you purchase new.

IMO having had a ton of amplifiers and also we build our own, find a nice BEL SS power amp.  Musical, not that expensive, etc. These amps sound fantastic even the old early models.  They are also easy to upgrade when the time comes.  Other than that for SS you have the HK Citation power amps that are excellent and not very expensive.

Happy Listening.

You should get good money for your integrated, use that as part of your funds…I’ve got the anthem 225mk2, it’ll put out 400 w at 4 ohms and is very clean. I use the NAD C658 preamp / streamer / DAC and it’ll give you a great DAC plus nice preamp combo. Sound wonderful with MQA source tidal tracks on my Martin Logan EM-ESL’s.   Those two together are roughly $4k. 

What do you think of doing something like buying a good pair of monoblocks and using the Hint 6 as pre for the time being? There's a pair of Bryston 7B ST's used on audiomart for 2900. This would leave some $$ on the table so that when I sell the Parasound I could get a nice matching preamp. I was also looking at Teddy Pardo MB100 monos and their pre.

@tk21 I haven't really ever had a chance to listen to a Class D amp and from what I read I don't know if it's the route for me. It is probably more fantastic than I would imagine. It seems like an awful lot to cram into one unit and I would have concerns about all the processing. Tell me why I'm wrong.

@dadork,  I really cannot tell you that you're wrong or right. I've never heard the Lyngdorf products, just thought it was another interesting option worth mentioning. 

@dadork I've upgraded from an integrated amp into separates starting with the preamp - it made a big difference.  What are you looking to accomplish with the new equipment - improve resolution, dynamics, power, etc.

If I was looking to improve the resolution, I'd by a preamp first then follow with the amplification.  If you are looking to get more power/dynamics then I'd start with amplifier(2).

The Parasound amps i have heard are warm sounding. So a new amp may take a little getting used to.  

NOTE: I bought an upgrade from Pd Creative for the Bluesound.  Definite improvement. $132.  Not a linear power supply but the Meanwell PSU is quiet.  

The Bryston option is a good one. Even better if they are still in the 20 year warranty window. 

A 4 ohm speaker with an 88 db sensitivity, really?

You’ve got the tail wagging the dog.

Keep your Parasound. Ditch the Dali’s, use the proceeds from the sale, + your $4 grand budget & get a more efficent set-up.

Good luck!

I came from Parasound Halo amps.  Very nice, but a bit warm and under resolving compared to my replacements, Audionet Max amps.  they are more pricey, but the Audionet Amps (not Max) are also excellent.  I also compared the Parasound JC1+ mono amps to my Audionet Max amps and it was no comparison.  The Audinet stuff is resolving without fatigue.

Been checking out Peachtree Audio and it looks pretty good.  The GaN400 and preDAC package is $4500, not too bad, saving a lot if you buy power amp and pre together.  The GaN400 is Class D though, but it's brand spanking new technology and puts out 400 watts per channel.  Getting rave reviews from what I've seen.

Thanks @fastfreight. I'll look over Audionet products for sure. 

@drewdawg999 I wouldn't be absolutely opposed to Class D but I hope they offer a trial period. I don't have any way to audition much of what's discussed as I live in the boonies. 

@overthemoon right now I think power and dynamics. The Dali's are pretty nice so I'd like to know their potential. 

Given your response to overthemoon,  I believe your route towards an upgrade is the right path. Purchase an amp and upgrade the preamp later. I have never owned an amp having the power you are looking for so can't make a recommendation. That said, as one that uses a SS amp with a tube preamp I can suggest that when it is time to upgrade your preamp you consider a tube based one. That combo may just be the ticket with your speakers. 

I've never had any experience with tube equipment @mesch. Unlike many people on this forum I have pets, 4 cats and a year old lab. I worry about hair and dander with tubes. Even cleaning continuously it still happens. They don't mess with my equipment though. I don't know if I want to get into the whole chasing the right tube. Enough rabbits to chase without adding another. 

@drewdawg999 I started doing some reading about your recommendation. It certainly is an interesting option at that price point considering the reviews. There's supposed to be a dealer in Grand Rapids which would be my closest at 4 hours away. Their website doesn't show any Peachtree Audio so emailed to find if still a dealer. I'd definitely give it a listen with my system if I can. 

@dadork Cool, that's doable, totally worth the trip for this size investment. My local hifi dealer is 20 minutes away, in Pasadena, and they have it. Wish I were in the market at that price point, save a grand if you go for the package deal. I have a Hypex amp and it is truly outstanding, so if this Peachtree is a technological upgrade, then that should be incredible. Best of luck on the upgrade! 

WAIT!  Ok maybe a bit dramatic. 

But consider this:  the preamp section in your integrated is made to mate with the power section. The pre-outs are for convenience. Makers of integrated amps don't spend to make the preamp section mate with separates.  If the preamp section mates well, it's just a coincidence.

If you want to upgrade the amps, do both.  Think used?