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

Showing 1 response by stehno

stehno
1,453 posts
 
In my opinion, the amplifier will impact a system for better or worse more so than any other component.

An excellent amplifier will most always make a mediocre pair of speakers sound almost spectacular. But a mediocre amplifier will never make an excellent pair of speakers sound spectacular.

For what it's worth, the vast majority would seem to agree with your salesman. But then again, the majority are usually wrong, right? :)

So to answer your question, it is absolutely in your best interest to upgrade to a seperate amp now. But that's assuming you upgrade to a worthwhile amp. Otherwise the answer is no.

And before you buy a new/old amp, do some extensive research on amplification because there are a few fabulous amps available for a song. Otherwise, you'll end up substantiating your saleman and other like minds claims.

-IMO
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