Integrated amplifier vs Preamplifier

[maxp779]

Which would likely be the better buy here? I ask because a lot of integrated amps have a pre out and can function as a pre amp. And the price of pre amps is a bit ridiculous. They tend to be either the same or more expensive than an integrated.

For example I could get a NAD 3020v2 amp for around £300. Or a Pro-ject S2 Digital preamp for around the same price. There's also cheap used integrateds on eBay which would do the job. Theres a nice Rotel rc 1572 but it's £600 and that's used :O new these things are £900ish.

Are there any actual pros to a dedicated pre amp? It's hard to see the value in them.

 

[Zek]

It depends on the implementation, not every preamp in an integrated amplifier is as good as a stand-alone preamp.

 

[wasnotwasnotwas]

Which would likely be the better buy here? I ask because a lot of integrated amps have a pre out and can function as a pre amp. And the price of pre amps is a bit ridiculous. They tend to be either the same or more expensive than an integrated.

For example I could get a NAD 3020v2 amp for around £300. Or a Pro-ject S2 Digital preamp for around the same price. There's also cheap used integrateds on eBay which would do the job. Theres a nice Rotel rc 1572 but it's £600 and that's used :O new these things are £900ish.

Are there any actual pros to a dedicated pre amp? It's hard to see the value in them.

The definition of pre amp seems to be a little too broad these days.

Which functions do you need? Multiple inputs or simply the ability to volume control a fixed output source before a power amp?

Separate question to the forum generally as well. Would a passive multiple in, single out switcher plus a well measuring head amp with pre out (eg Topping L30) be as effective as a "proper" pre amp?

 

[maxp779]

The definition of pre amp seems to be a little too broad these days.

Which functions do you need? Multiple inputs or simply the ability to volume control a fixed output source before a power amp?

Separate question to the forum gently as well. Would a passive multiple in, single out switcher plus a well measuring head amp with pre out (eg Topping L30) be as effective as a "proper" pre amp?

Volume control and a remote control. That's pretty much it. A DAC is nice but unnecessary. Balanced out is also nice but again unnecessary.

Any kind of safe volume setting as well is a big bonus. I.e can set volume to be 30% when it turns on regardless of what it was before. And specifying a maximum volume level. I saw a Rotel amp which had these settings, I don't know if they're common or not though since I typically go for basic amp's with no screen or digital inputs etc.

 

[Kachda]

The Minidsp shd is a great preamp for its price, performance and features. The software isnt as good as NAD bluos though from what I’ve seen of the NAD.

 

[wje]

I've been using my IOTAVX SA3 as a pre-amplifier for the past several months. I have the Bluesound Node 2i as my source. I've tried a few DACs in between the Bluesound and the IOTAVX with improvements in sound (to my ears). However, the SA3 as an integrated amplifier with the 45 WPC was a bit anemic for power and sound. Using it as a preamp with better amplifiers (McIntosh MC-402, Emotiva XPA-2 Gen 2, Denon POA 1500, etc.), I've been really enjoying the sound. I'm quite sure I couldn't find a preamplifier for $500 - $525 (US $) that could perform on this level and realize I would most likely have to go up to the $1,800 - $2,000 range for a preamplifier to get into a product that could provide an improvement in sound. The only negative that I've experienced in using the built-in DAC on the SA3 as opposed to the DAC in my Bluesound Node 2i or even a stand-alone DAC, is that the SA3 internal DAC will cut-out between tracks when streaming my music. I don't lose any sound, but I do hear some clicks with the switching during the gaps between the tracks.