2. amps-preamps
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Yet another Integrated vs Separates advice post

Hey Audiogon! Help me spend my money.

I've recently upgraded my speakers and analog rig and it now has me wondering if I could be getting more out of my amplification section. I've had a trusty Hegel H200 integrated amp for about 6 years and it's to its testament that until now I haven't thought about upgrading it. But the upgraditis is getting to me, especially after my analog section has taken me into a different tier on the source side.

My questions:

If my goal is to move into the "reference" quality tier (and by that I guess I mean, at least providing a sniff of the creme de la creme; Stereophile Class A-quality for lack of a better way to put it), should I take this opportunity to move back into separates? 

Second question: if my budget is around $7k, what should I consider that would be a significant upgrade over the giant-killing Hegel? Some components I'm considering:

For separates, PS Audio BHK preamp + PS Audio Stellar Monoblocks (though I'm hesitant about class D amps)
For integrated, Aesthetix Mimas, or a Luxman integrated
Someone in the running: integrateds from Krell, Mark Levinson, and Ayre

My requirements: my rack limits me to standard-sized 17"-wide components. I need at least 2 balanced inputs unless there's a built-in DAC. I mainly seek a "warm" tonality with rich midrange, and greatly value components that image exceptionally well.

My system: Hegel H200, Doge 7 DAC, Avid Volvere turntable, PS Audio Stellar phono preamp, Egglestonworks Emma speaker
hudsonhawk

Showing 1 response by atmasphere

atmasphere's avatar
atmasphere
12,088 posts
 
I have my equipment stand placed where its most convenient. That's not between the speakers.


I've found that keeping speaker cables short is helpful for increasing resolution and bass impact. So I run mono power amps as close to the loudspeakers as I can get them so I can keep the speaker cables short. This means running a long interconnect cable, but since my balanced tube preamp supports the balanced line standard (and is one of the few to do so), I can run the interconnects as long as I need; in my case about 30 feet. But they are not expensive yet sound great, owing to the fact that the equipment supports the balanced standard, which helps minimize the audible effects of the interconnect.

If you get the chance to hear what balanced line can do in the home when properly set up, there's no going back. This is how most LPs and CDs were recorded; balanced line is what ushered in the era of HiFi.
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