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

Showing 1 response by curiousjim

curiousjim's avatar
curiousjim
4,186 posts
 

@grislybutter 

Hey Gris,

Your question may already have answer.  Double check if the preamp in your integrated is always in the circuit.  Meaning,  if you put another preamp in the chain, it will still go through the preamp in the integrated.  My Hegel, for instance doesn’t have a dedicated preamp input and will run the external preamp through it’s preamp and then to the amplifier.

All the best.

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