Pre/Power Amp question?

[Tim]

Well it seems I am going down the upgrade route, so a little advice or observations would be good regarding pre/power amps?

I have only ever had Integrated Amps before and wondered how much influence the pre amp has. I'm going to sell my A3 CDP, since finding out that file audio and a Caiman gives me a far superior sound, but my system has always suffered from a lack of power to drive my G60's. The A3 amp has a pre out, so I am considering keeping the A3 and getting a power amp to go with it. Is this a reasonable idea, or should I be looking to match a pre/power from the same manufacturers and how much influence will the A3 have on the overall sound. I like the sound I am getting, I just need more oomph.

Finally, is there anything else I should be considering regarding pre/power?

Thanks
Tim

PS. You were right Alex_UK, here we go...... :doh:

[keiths]

If the Caiman is your only source, you could try the Caiman's variable outputs straight into a power amp.

If you are able to use the A3 integrated as a power amp, it may be worth trying this arrangement and comparing the performance with it used as an integrated. If using the Caiman direct into the A3 as a power amp sounds better than into the MF as an integrated, then it probably wouldn't be worth retaining the A3 to use as a preamp?

[Welder]

If your planning on staying with line level only then I’m not convinced a separate pre and power combo has many advantages unless you intend to use dual mono at some point.
Separate does give more flexibility, but it may also be more expensive and care is needed in matching.
In theory, at line level only, a decent integrated should be adequate.
I think you’ve been listening to a Bryston recently (?) How about offloading all your MF kit and buying the Bryston B100 SST in its basic form if you can afford it.

(Can you get one for me while you’re at it please :))

[Tim]

If your planning on staying with line level only then I’m not convinced a separate pre and power combo has many advantages unless you intend to use dual mono at some point.
Separate does give more flexibility, but it may also be more expensive and care is needed in matching.
In theory, at line level only, a decent integrated should be adequate.
I think you’ve been listening to a Bryston recently (?) How about offloading all your MF kit and buying the Bryston B100 SST in its basic form if you can afford it.

(Can you get one for me while you’re at it please :))

This is right where I am thinking actually, I am really impressed with Bryston and I love the sound . . . I can't really afford it, but then if I really like it, can I afford not to? Chances are it would outlive me....

If I win the lotto, then I promise to get you one too :)

[Welder]

I really like the Bryston sound. It’s not for everyone.
You can’t fault the Bryston construction and you get what amounts to a lifetime guarantee.
If you like Bryston you may also like Brinkman.
http://www.brinkmann-audio.de/main.php?prod=integrated&lang=en
You may even like
http://www.audioaffair.co.uk/NuForce-IA7-V2-Integrated-Amplifier/product_867
Certainly worth a listen

I also really like this but it may not have enough power for your setup.
http://www.audioemotion.co.uk/products/312/

[MartinT]

In a separates system, the preamp is very important and contributes at least as much to the sound as a power amp. I know this might seem counter-intuitive, especially for line level preamps, but I have used many in my system (from BAT, Krell, Pass Labs to name a few) and they all have their sonic signatures. The sheer transparency of my current preamp (Pass XP-20) blows everything else I've ever tried away, so there is much to be gained - or a lot to lose - by choosing the best you can get.

There are other considerations, such as balanced operation if your power amp can take it. I have yet to hear a system with a passive setup that properly drives a power amp in the way that a preamp does. Active stages do it for me.

[Tim]

Thanks for the pointers, which has given me food for thought and I may take the route of least resistance for me, by choosing another integrated amplifier, but I will do some more research and listening first.

And if you should check by this thread again Martin, Bruckner 9 was marvellous - I know I'm biased towards him, but Simon Rattle can really make an orchestra fly. They served up the Symphony just how I like it, a wonderful evening :)

It was a packed house too, totally sold out.

[MartinT]

I've never seen Brucker 9 live, Tim, and I'm envious. I guess the nearest experience to that I've had was Rattle conducting Mahler 2 and that was stupendous.

I wish the Proms theme this year could be Bruckner/Mahler/Shostakovich. Now wouldn't that be marvellous?

[Tim]

I've never seen Brucker 9 live, Tim, and I'm envious. I guess the nearest experience to that I've had was Rattle conducting Mahler 2 and that was stupendous.

I wish the Proms theme this year could be Bruckner/Mahler/Shostakovich. Now wouldn't that be marvellous?

If you put Sibelius in there too, that would complete it for me, but those three there are my top choices as well - me thinks we have very similar taste ;)

I'm quite lucky as the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra are pretty darn good and play here during their season weekly. Mind you, the last two years have been a bit dry of my favoured works, they seem to be going a bit mainstream. Started changing when Marin Alsop took the reins, now we have Kirill Karabits and things are the same :(

[Tim]

I really like the Bryston sound. It’s not for everyone.
You can’t fault the Bryston construction and you get what amounts to a lifetime guarantee.
If you like Bryston you may also like Brinkman.
http://www.brinkmann-audio.de/main.php?prod=integrated&lang=en
You may even like
http://www.audioaffair.co.uk/NuForce-IA7-V2-Integrated-Amplifier/product_867
Certainly worth a listen

I also really like this but it may not have enough power for your setup.
http://www.audioemotion.co.uk/products/312/

Thanks for the suggestions here, food for thought and the Eastern Electric M520 Integrated Tube probably wouldn't be suitable for my current system, but it's possible I may be changing the G60's for a pair of Monitor Audio PL100's, which are likely to be easier to drive than the G60's

[MartinT]

Started changing when Marin Alsop took the reins, now we have Kirill Karabits and things are the same :(

I saw Marin Alsop conduct last year. Perhaps the Bournemouth need to remember their heyday with SR. I have his recording of Mahler 10 with them. Terrifying work.