Can it get better?

@chorus 

@geof3 

Thanks for the replies. It's the age old discussion about Harbeth speakers and how much power is required given their relatively low sensitivity. My experience with the Int-25 is that it does check a lot of boxes and perhaps the most important one being able to handle peaks at my average listening levels.

Differently designed amps will have their own character, but I'm wondering if going to separates has a distinct advantage over integrateds in areas that all amps try to achieve like low noise, precise imaging, dynamics, etc.  Like you said Geof, integrated amps are great these days. Is it foolish to think I could achieve a significant Wow moment that exceeds the Pass by spending twice the money on separates?

Thanks to all for the thoughtful comments.

Regarding changing integrateds vs. moving to separates, my thought process has been: it will be easier to tailor the sound by investing in a quality pre with the potential for playing nicely with a variety of power amps. Perhaps one with variable gain and a low output impedance. Swapping integrateds with more power is attractive because it does reduce complexity and may play cleaner at higher volume, but it means losing flexibility and is at the risk of not sounding as good as my current integrated.

Fun to think about though...

@tuberist 

It may turn out that after years of cost and headache, I'll come to my senses and get back to the integrated solution.  🤕 

@hilde45 

appreciate the discussion. This is a great forum when it’s working. 

Bring on the worms.  😉

Can you expect a significant drop in noise when separating the power supply and circuitry of the power amp from the preamp? A pre that I’m interested in seems to have a stout power supply and lots of capacitance. Not sure how a design like this gets out of its own way. Very positively reviewed though.

@infection 

I almost pulled the trigger on a Belles Virtuoso integrated which features a dual mono design 200w per side and an upgraded preamp that Mr. Belles feels like is some of his best work. $7.5. 

@ghdprentice 

Thanks. I’m here to learn so feel free to go on. No pressure! 
At the moment I feel like tone and texture is where it needs to be. A lot of that is a function of the speakers but the amp is so transparent yet smooth it let’s a lot of detail get through. I think there could be an improvement in soundstage/imaging which is something I value. Instruments can sound small at times and so it would also be nice to have a greater sense of scale.   Sounds like separates could help.