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 tobias

tobias
1,534 posts
 
I like most of Douglas Schroeder's advice. Without knowing how good your source is (if it is not great you should upgrade it first), swapping your HK for a high-quality integrated would give you the best sound value right now IMHO. As for buying a power amp now, I would much rather have a good preamp and an ordinary amp to listen to while I saved, than have the reverse. With a good integrated you get both and you save on interconnects as well.

However unlike Douglas, if I were you I wouldn't change my present speakers until the end of the upgrade cycle. This is because each time you improve what you feed them, they will sound better.
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