Mix & Match ?

[alchemist 1]

Mixing different brand amplifiers, pre/power , Integrated amps using their pre amp section with a separate power amp etc.

With brands having their particular house sound, how do you go about obtaining a synergy between products ?

Using the same brand amplifiers seems the logical approach ?

As an example I have a Yamaha AS- 2000 amp with a pre output facility, how would I go about
adding a power amp if I wished too ?
Currently Yamaha don't produce a matching power amp.

So how do we mix & match ?

 

[plastic penguin]

Really, the only way to know for sure is to demo various components.

Years ago when I had a crazy notion of using a power amp with my Arcam A65, I was looking at a power amp to boost sound and volume, the combo worked a treat in terms of synergy and power, but there wasn't much in a way of extra quality.

Anyway, I guess some preamp should work a treat with a different make power amp. It is a 'suck it and see' scenario.

With your Yam I would look at something that contrasts well, such Cyrus power amp or Rotel, or depending on colour, a Naim.

 

[matthewpianist]

Personally, I wouldn't bother. Unless you're chasing big volume levels and/or driving difficult speakers, I don't think you'll hear much by way of improvement. Your Yamaha is a pretty robust integrated on its own, so why add another box?

What speakers are you using?

 

[GSV Ethics Gradient]

I've used an integrated (being used as a pre) and two powers and now a pre/power combo, and would tend to agree with the above. Former felt like it had more control, but was not transformative.

 

[nopiano]

Over the years there have been a couple of renowned pairings. One I always remember is the Audio Research tube preamp with Krell KSA power amp from the late 1980s. But for more affordable brands it makes no sense to me.

Notwithstanding your user name, the ‘alchemy’ that’s often postulated as ‘synergy’ in hifi is bit of a myth in my view. Compensating for an inaccuracy in one place by a supposedly ‘equal and opposite’ one elsewhere is the path to madness - and incessant changing of kit.

Where mixing may make sense today, is where for example, the popularity of some DAC preamp devices can be paired with other makes of power amp. So, a Wiim Ultra pre-DAC might be paired with two Fosi v3 monoblock amps. When amps are class D compact designs they have no character as such. Ideal for your Yamaha, depending how smooth, bright or warm you perceive it to be!