Moving to separates


Does anyone have an experience they'd like to share about going from just an AVR or integrated to using external amp(s)?  My Integra AVR has 100 W per channel (class AB), all channels driven, and sounds very good, so it is not clear to me that there is any advantage to connecting its preouts to a separate amp.  Might be a total waste of money.  Please mention your specific equipment.  Thanks!

skeptikal

I have considered an integrated amp to replace my separates, with which I am happy (incl an Odyssey Khartago++ amp). Why? Amp/preamp synergy in one box, eliminating interconnects. Two are on my short list because they "play well" with my Vandersteen Treo CT speakers:

1 - Aesthetix Mimas

2 - Ayre AX-5 / Twenty


3 - A few others including Constellation and Soulution, which are quite a bit more expensive and therefore out of reach, though excellent.

I like the idea of simplifying my system to just an integrated plus DAC (maybe even internally...Aesthetix does a good DAC card), and streamer and CD player.

OR— I will got the other way and get monoblocks! Oy. Choices, choices.

@OP. If you are not interested in two channel audio, I would leave things as is. Congratulations on your room treatment. You are losing some of the benefit of it by having furniture covered in reflective materials and also the very large table between the couches. I'm presuming you move the monitor on the arm out of the way when listening to music.

Audio is audio and video is video. Putting 2 channel through a video system is a  big compromise. Now if you are talking 2 channel audio, an integrated amp will be more cost effective (and save space) since there are less boxes and cables, but separates will provide more flexibility, and probably offer the highest potential power output with separate monoblocks if your speakers or room requires it.