Integrated vs pre-power

Originally Posted by Mohan

1. Pre and power amps reputedly provide the cleanest signals for music.

2. Integrated Amps generally now are excellent at providing the best value for money for music.

3. Receivers A/V are generally a poor compromise for music listeners, they are getting better but unless you need A/V NOW get an integrated amp for music - which wil provide excellent stereo for DVD's with a modest DVD player connected to aux in. A/V receivers are developing so fast that todays 'hot' pick is tomorrows 'old hat'. Maybe in 2-3 years A/V medium priced receivers will provide as good musicality as a separate integrated amp - but we are not there yet by any means.

Main thing in buying anything is to go to a decent dedicated hi-fi specialist and audition a nunber of different set ups in a room setting - not in the middle of a large appliance showroom! You might pay a bit more but you will like what you get and have received decent advice on set up etc. Unless you compare by listening you will never know how good a reasonable priced system can be.

Aim to spend roughly 1/3 on the CD player, 1/3 on the Amp and 1/3 on the speakers - and allow at least 10% for interconnects and speaker wires.