Integrated Amp or Pre + Power?

[terrible]

I was talking to the gentleman who own Total Home Theatres in Mumbai, and he was of the suggestion that given that I own a CXR200, I would have to make a significant upgrade in terms of Integrated Amplifier to get a 30 to 40% improvement in sound. He felt the kinds of Mcintosh would be appropriate. He felt that lesser integrated amplifiers would probably give me 5 to 10% increment in sound and wondered if two lakh plus would be worth for that kind of improvement. To begin with I was confused on the brand to buy now I am wondering if I should spend so much for a marginal improvement.

 

[COOLDUDE7808]

i have purchased Tannoy XT8F from Total Home Theatres in Mumbai two months back ...the owner is a thorough professional ....I had a great demo for nearly three hours ...he will let u try different option and also give suggestions ...

On the day Tannoy's were delivered ...he was in constant touch with me and send two guys across to set up everything for me in my house ...my exp with him was very positive ..

 

[terrible]

Guys I had this same discussion in another forum. The outcome is quite interesting. I don't know if I am allowed to put links here from other forums so I am going to as it seems it'll start a healthy discussion here. If the moderater feels this is inappropriate, feel free to remove it.

Check this out: http://www.avsforum.com/forum/91-audio-theory-setup-chat/2615881-first-integrated-amp.html

 

[terrible]

i have purchased Tannoy XT8F from Total Home Theatres in Mumbai two months back ...the owner is a thorough professional ....I had a great demo for nearly three hours ...he will let u try different option and also give suggestions ...

On the day Tannoy's were delivered ...he was in constant touch with me and send two guys across to set up everything for me in my house ...my exp with him was very positive ..

Yes he is quite good. I got my speakers from him.

 

[elangoas]

Guys I had this same discussion in another forum. The outcome is quite interesting.

Hope you would be using the AVR for stereo then (or) have you thought abt something else..

 

[terrible]

Hope you would be using the AVR for stereo then (or) have you thought abt something else..

The response there has certainly made me alert. I was already speaking to the distributor of Musical Fidelity and someone else selling the same. I shared this link with the distributor but got no response, which was strange considering he sent me eight emails at midnight making a pitch. The other guy trashed the thread saying forums are useless and these guys have no experience and are armchair specialists.

But this is enough to make me think many times before I spend two lakhs or more.

 

[prasen_b]

The response there has certainly made me alert. I was already speaking to the distributor of Musical Fidelity and someone else selling the same. I shared this link with the distributor but got no response, which was strange considering he sent me eight emails at midnight making a pitch. The other guy trashed the thread saying forums are useless and these guys have no experience and are armchair specialists.

But this is enough to make me think many times before I spend two lakhs or more.

You should listen to a couple of integrated with your speakers. You can take your bookshelves if the dealer doesn't give equipment for home audition. That should provide you some insight.

My experience has been that amplification quality does make a difference, specially the preamplifier. Just to get started you can build a DCB1 for around 10K, and use the AVR as a power amplifier.

 

[elangoas]

The response there has certainly made me alert. I was already speaking to the distributor of Musical Fidelity and someone else selling the same. I shared this link with the distributor but got no response, which was strange considering he sent me eight emails at midnight making a pitch. The other guy trashed the thread saying forums are useless and these guys have no experience and are armchair specialists.

But this is enough to make me think many times before I spend two lakhs or more.

Great.. No disrespect meant to the dealer.. He saw a lead which he wanted to convert to an opportunity..

I have been using various AVR for stereo for the last decade, some with HTIB speakers and some with good speakers that i can afford for my money.. In the process also have used IA + CD player, USB DAC and and a fully digital amplifier, which has no DAC in it..just to see how much i loose/gain over other..

What i have observed is not a "Night and Day" difference between an AVR Vs Stereo amplifier Vs USB DAC Vs Fully digital amplifiers.. (All these are budget materials) But there are difference's, but not large amount to justify one is better than the other...

If i really have to pick the difference, the weight of the bass, some finer details are good in stereo amplifier/ USB DAC set-up than an AVR could do...

 

[terrible]

You should listen to a couple of integrated with your speakers. You can take your bookshelves if the dealer doesn't give equipment for home audition. That should provide you some insight.

My experience has been that amplification quality does make a difference, specially the preamplifier. Just to get started you can build a DCB1 for around 10K, and use the AVR as a power amplifier.

I intend to. As that is the only way I'll be able to clarify this for myself. I don't know what a DCB1 is, so there's no way I can build it.

 

[Aanuj]

Selling or rather clearing a lot of my stuff collected over the years, a Audio Research D100B let me know if you are interested. It's in pristine condition.

 

[prasen_b]

I intend to. As that is the only way I'll be able to clarify this for myself. I don't know what a DCB1 is, so there's no way I can build it.

Pass DCB1 is a buffer. Its same as a preamplifier but without any gain. Just search for DCB1 in the forum and you should get lot of results. Also buy some good interconnects. The mogami 2803 is a good interconnect, I believe it was up for sale here in the forum.