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Biggest impact: moving from integrated to separates

I am slowly moving to separates from my Cronus Magnum integrated amp. So far, I’ve upgraded the Phono stage to a Pass Labs XP-15. I’m now looking for the next upgrade. I will need an amp and a line stage preamp. My budget is @ $3K and I am looking for the biggest bang for the buck. Which upgrade should come next? I would like anything I upgrade to have balanced connections (for linestage both ins and outs.)

thanks
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asp307 OP
158 posts
 
@twoleftears I would hope that an RP5 and Stereo 100 could best the CMII or why produce them? What would the value prop be if a separate $3,500 preamp cannot best a $2,200 integrated of the same brand?

I have not heard the RP5 however, I have heard the RP7 which was unreal, but the source was a Dave DAC and it was playing through Focal Kantas...so what was I really hearing? Who knows..
nitewulf
277 posts
 
I'm eventually going the opposite route, going from separates to an uber class integrated like Gryphon, Vitus or T+A.
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mesch
1,679 posts
 
I now understand. Replacing a $2000 integrated with ~$8500 of separate phonostage, line level pre, and amplifier is another proposition. 
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asp307 OP
158 posts
 
@mesch , yes, this is correct; thanks.
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asp307 OP
158 posts
 
@nitewulf sounds like a plan, the Gryphon equipment looks impressive. Why the consolidation?
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