2. amps-preamps
  3. 174679-161025

Can it get better?

Seeking the advice of folks who have experienced significant gains when moving from an integrated amp to separate pre and power. I realize there are several threads on the topic but specifically, I’d be concerned about a lateral move in terms of sound quality while dishing out close to 2x what I purchased my integrated for. For example, my system consists of a Pass Labs Int-25 driving Harbeth Shl5+ 40th anniversaries. It’s a combination that gives coherent and smooth sound yet is quite resolving. 
Why change? For one, I would like to experiment with different power for the Harbeths and am intrigued by some of the class d options out there. The Pass was about 5k and some of the pre and power combinations I’m considering would push the cost north of 10k. There are a number of well designed preamps out there in the 5k range that I could see serving me for many years. Assuming good synergy with the power amp, is there good reason to believe that separates would sound significantly better than the little Pass which has system synergy built in? In what way? Or would I have to venture into a higher tier in terms of cost?

thanks for the advice

 Brian

128x128voodoochillin
chorus
976 posts
 

Although Mr Shaw denies it, I think Harbeths benefit greatly from higher current/power.

If you want to experiment without breaking the bank I would look into a Class D

power option with at least 200 wpc. That can be had new for $1,500-$2,500

and may be a direction you like. I do not think the 25INT is a great match for lower

sensitivity speakers.

geof3
1,125 posts
 

The INT25, being pure class a is a power house in and of itself. It kicks out excellent power overall and delivers excellent current. I think the change from Class A to Class D will leave you disappointed possibly. Although the new GaN tech is intriguing. There are plenty of dual mono integrated amps out there that can blow away some separates systems. Something to keep in mind too is the added complexity, more cable matching/integration etc with separates. I’ve gone back and forth with both systems and settled on an integrated. It’s just simpler, less things to power, less cables to buy etc. I can say I will never go back to separates again.

voodoochillin's avatar
voodoochillin OP
61 posts
 

@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?

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