2. amps-preamps
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advantage of seperates vs integrated

I have been thinking of a change to seperates but.. I was weighing the advantages of a seperate amp/pre as opposed to using integrated (I have use of Classe CAP 151 right now). What I'd like to go to would be all Solid State Audio Research to mate with my CD 3 Mk 2. The additional questions would be; would the ARC SS provide better bottom end to the Apogee Slant 6 I lsten to and would it also provide a deeper and wider sound stage advantage for the investment of approx. $2200-$2700 post sale of existing equipment as I listen primarily to soft rock, new age and jazz? Currently the sound is very good and very smooth, would the change be worth it? Thanks for the opinion.
rsjm80
cdc
1,412 posts
 
Kclone, I got a little off-topic here. They were talking receivers. Yes, integrated can be just fine but I thought the interesting point was the more functions you have, heat generation becomes a problem when everything is crammed into one box.
So for general practical stereo designs, you aren't going to get massive power out of an integrated like you can with separates.

BTW Kclone, those Tidal speakers look really nice. The Six-Moons review say they use Seas Excel magnesium midrange drivers. I got to hear the Snell Illusions. They also use the magnesium Seas Excel. Sound was so smooth I thought they were paper. I am using the Seas Nextel driver which has slightly higher distortion. But I "get" what they are capable of doing.
phaelon
1,038 posts
 
Just for the record, I replaced conrad johnson mono-blocks with an integrated amplifier. The integrated is much better as it should be for its price. I understand the "second banana” status that integrated amplifiers have traditionally held in the audiophile market. That’s because high-end manufactures designed and marketed them that way. Not because there are inherent limitations to the quality of sound that they are capable of.
kclone's avatar
kclone
601 posts
 
Yes, the Tidals are indeed really nice. The pictures don't do them justice.
inna
5,245 posts
 
Einstein was a dreamer and we are down to earth, and down to dollars.
graywulf's avatar
graywulf
10 posts
 
Hi rsjm80
I think the 'small' differences can be worthwhile. Like you I listen mainly to 'rock'. 60's 70's 80's and that means Motorhead to floyd,yes,elp, genesis,king crimson; then on to classical, patricia barber, et al. So my system has to cover many bases.
I have both a intergrated and seperates. Both tube systems (yes I'm a tube head). I think it comes down mainly to the fact the power supply has to only feed 1 amplifier. If you look at intergrated and monoblocks you will see frequently even with SS the power supply transformer and capacators are not 'double in size' when compared to a mono block for the same output per channel... just gives 'subtleties' on transients
good example of this although 'OLD' google a Leak TL12plus and a tereo 20.. the same amp in two different forms.. that power transformer aint double the size
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