Using integrated amp. as pre amp with more powerful seperate power amp .. advice need

[suresh babu]

hi everybody,

currently i am using Audiolab 6000a ( 50 watts ) and Dali Oberon 5 speakers ( 150 watts )..

i am happy with this combo for almost 4-5 yrs.. but sometimes i feel bit smallish sound or lean sound for some songs.. if i increase volume levels, it sounded little hard to listen.. in low volumes , no problems.. but missing some energy..

so , i wish to attain better energy and bold like sound..

for this , i have one better offer for Quad 909 power amp from link.. that reproduce 140 watts.. no way to sample test with both combo.

audiolab 6000a have seperate preamp out , so i can use quad 909 as external power amp..

if i use audiolab 6000a as a pre amp and quad 909 as a power am combo, may i get better power and sound quality than i get from integrated audiolab 6000a s sound ?

read about audiolab 6000a pre amps output specs , that it can able to drive quad 909 amp... but i dont know much experience to consider..

mostly i played songs via blue tooth with my apple i pad ( i tunes , youtube )..

is that good idea to add external power amp with excisting integrated amp?

or buying external matching preamp seperates or dac with pre amp will do best ?

all suggestions are welcome

thanks
suresh babu

 

[JeremyFife]

Hi,
Probably a few things to think about before you just add more power. Your speakers are quite sensitive (easy to drive them loud so you don't need a lot of power) but are also known for being a bit bright, which might explain some of what you are hearing.

How far away from your speakers do you sit?
Can you describe your room: if there are flat/reflective spaces, bare floors etc then you may also be hearing the effects of reflections. Angling the speakers towards you, straight ahead or even angled out can make a difference too (Dali recommend no angling in or out, but you should experiment)

There is a handy calculator for the amount of power you actually need in an amplifier. Your speakers are rated at 88dB (1m/1W) sensitivity and a volume of 85/90dBSPL is loud! You are possibly fine with 50W or at least that's not the first thing to look at.

Crown Audio - Professional Power Amplifiers | English (US)

www.crownaudio.com

The Audiolab is pretty good, I almost bought one before I was convinced to get a smaller box by my significant other.
You are very unlikely to get an improvement in sound quality by changing the electronics, and that includes adding separate boxes rather than having your integrated unit.

Your Amp has a pre-out so you could add in a subwoofer, which would give you more bass (perhaps what you mean by a bold sound)

Do try changing your speaker layout, thinking about your room furnishings. These are free changes
After that you may be better getting a subwoofer or even changing your speakers - that's where the improvement can come from.

 

[DVDdoug]

if i use audiolab 6000a as a pre amp and quad 909 as a power am combo, may i get better power

That's about 4.5dB louder which is noticeable but not a huge difference. That's assuming you are using the full 50W and that you use the full 140W of the new amp. It's also assuming that you're not over-driving the current amp into clipping/distortion.

and sound quality than i get from integrated audiolab 6000a s sound ?

The sound quality shouldn't change, assuming there's nothing wrong with either amp. And again assuming that you're not pushing the current amp into distortion.

or buying external matching preamp seperates or dac with pre amp will do best ?

Unlike speakers & headphones, most electronics don't have a "sound" other than tone controls/EQ. You get the most for your money with a receiver or AVR.

 

[bargainguy]

Let's get back to basics. Adding more watts shouldn't change SQ significantly unless you are running your Audiolab into distortion, as others have mentioned.

I doubt you're going to get the sound you want with the Oberons. If you want a different sound, swap in different speakers with your preferred characteristics.

 

[DVDdoug]

Does your amp have EQ or tone controls? From what I found online I don't think so, which seems strange... If it does, don't be afraid of boosting the bass or otherwise playing around with it the controls. If not, your iPad app probably has EQ.

More bass can give the "feel" of more power, especially when listening at lower or "reasonable" volumes. Or if your speakers are the problem, consider adding a subwoofer.


...One of the biggest improvements I've ever made was about a decade ago when I got surround sound and subwoofers. My woofers weren't small but the bass was always somewhat lacking. (And you need a sub with movies anyway or you loose the "point one" LFE channel.) Surround is also a "whole different experience" and with regular stereo music I use a "soundfield" setting on my AVR to get some delayed reverb in the rear and the "feel" of a larger room.

 

[Joe Smith]

The old "loudness" circuit on older equipment can go a long way in solving some of these issues...not a panacea, but it is often helpful, when listening at lower volumes...

 

[staticV3]

A new Amp is not the answer.

Look into better speakers, EQ, and equal loudness compensation.