I'll keep it simple. The levels of equipment performance are: Receivers, Integrateds, Separates with stereo amps, then Separates with mono amps. The better your preamp is the better your system will be.
P.S. The Parasound A21 is a fine amp.
Basic Questions
I’m a long-time middle tier/value home theater consumer. Recently I’ve moved toward trying to get more out of my 2 channel listening (vinyl, streaming, Hi-rez, etc). I moved from my DefTech towers to Paradigm Persona 3F. Big 2 channel improvement, but not the level I heard while auditioning them (with a separate amp).
My media room is 18’ wide x 24’ deep. I listen at moderate volumes, only occasionally cranking it up. Unfortunately, live about 4 hours from closest hi-end sound shop, so not easy to audition equipment.
Some basic questions:
1. Do I need a pre-amp and why? I’m fairly happy with my AVR’s sound programs.
2. Will additional amp work solely with 2 front mains, or power to entire HT system?
3. Is it simple interconnect from AVR to Amp, then speaker cable to front speakers?
3. I have seen strong recommendations for Anthem STR and Parasound A21. Any affirmations or other recommendations (looking to keep things under $10K with interconnects.)
My Equipment:
7 speaker Home theater
- Paradigm Persona 3F mains (“suitable amp power range = 15-400 watts; “max input power 200 watts). Morrow Audio SP6 speaker cables
- Definitive Tech UIW RSS II sides (10-200 watts per channel)
- Definitive Tech UIW RLS III rears (10-325 watts per channel)
- Definitive Tech CS-9080 center (300w internal amp; “recommended input power” = 50-300 watts per channel). Morrow Audio Sp4 reference speaker cable.
Yamaha RX-A3080 9.2 Channel AV Receiver
- Rated output power 2-channel driven 20Hz-20kHz = 150 watts
- Dynamic power = 175 watts
Marantz turntable with Budgie pre-amp. Morrow Audio PH5 interconnects
Oppo BDP-105
Thanks and be kind!