can you mix different makes of pre and power amps?

[matengawhat]

can you mix different makes of pre and power amps? does gain become an issue - should you always buy the same makes?

 

[Tear Drop]

Mixing pre and power is not generally an issue - gain should only be considered when you use an integrated and power amp or multiple power amps.

 

[matengawhat]

is there anything i should be concerned about?

 

[Andrew Everard]

Hmmm....

Climate change, world recession, the population/food supply balance, human rights issues - those'll do for a start!

 

[JoelSim]

Andrew Everard:
Hmmm....

Climate change, world recession, the population/food supply balance, human rights issues - those'll do for a start!

That's not very helpful Mr E, you are the fount of all knowledge...

ÿ

 

[matengawhat]

anything on tha amp front andrew - the rest i can't solve tonight!

 

[Tear Drop]

matengawhat:is there anything i should be concerned about?

As long as you have heard the desired components playing together before handing over any money, no.

 

[matengawhat]

thats not quite so easy - at different shops

 

[Andrew Everard]

No prob mixing preamp from Brand X with power amp from Brand Y, but I wouldn;'t mix preamp from Brand X with power amp from Brand Y and another power amp from Brand Z

 

[matengawhat]

no i was going to buy two p35s so the powers will be the same - can there be big differences with synergy between pre and power amps?

 

[Andrew Everard]

No, it's a good way of tuning a system provided they are electrically compatible

 

[matengawhat]

electrically compatible? im planning on mixing mf A5 pre with two arcam p35 powers - any ideas if this will work? was thinking mf as currentl have mf cd player and phono stage xlps - want to get rid of that and use the one built in to the A5

 

[Andrew Everard]

Yes should work fine in electrical terms. How it will sound is a different matter - never tried it so wouldn't know....

 

[matengawhat]

well will let you know on tuesday - if it doesn't work can always sell the A5 on i guess and buy the matching arcam. you have to try these things!!!

 

[Anonymous]

matengawhat:well will let you know on tuesday - if it doesn't work can always sell the A5 on i guess and by the matching arcam. you have to try these things!!!

You can't hear them together in the shops, but you can home demo them both. On the same day. In your own place. Try it.

 

[Thaiman]

It will be a bit like pot luck if you are mix and match pre/power amps although I normally do just that as it's more fun

I had Cyrus pre into Naim NAP, Sugden masterclass pre/GamuT power, GamuT pre/Musical fielity power...the list goes on! load of fun.