Pre amp rather than using integrated?

[admin_exported]

Hi, I am bi-amping using the x power on HF and integrated on LF.

Am wondering what improvements the Pre vs2 would make to the sound (if any), and how do you connect it up? Is it the same as bi amping format when connecting the pre to the power amp and then split them to the speakers?

Cheers,

Phil

 

[Anonymous]

Looking at your current set-up, the only benefit would be to the Cyrus Ltd. balance sheet!

 

[Anonymous]

That is why I would go second hand, sell the one, buy the other, so the costs would be about the same.

 

[d_a_n1979]

IMO and as I've said it before, I'd use the integrated on HF and the X Power on LF as thats what we found best when the missus hasd her Cyrus/B&W set-up.

We did demo the Pre Vs2 at the time for a few weeks and found that the system lacked in some areas; the soundstage wasnt as open as usual.

IMO adding another PSX-R would be the best route.

 

[Frank Harvey]

I've said a few times before in this and other forums that an integrated amplifier acting as a pre-amplifier doesn't match up to a dedicated pre-amplifier. They do a good job, and it's enough for many, but if you want to squeeze every ounce of accuracy out of your system, a dedicated pre is the way to go. Using an integrated has drawbacks in that it has a rather large power supply, larger than an integrated amplifier needs, and this can interfere or affect the low level signals coming into it. A dedicate pre preserves those incoming signals using a powers suppy that's designed to do a specific job. Everything sounds that little bit tighter, more solid, and neutral.

Spendor have (since your version of the S3e) removed the bi-wiring connections from their loudspeakers, as they believe that rather than adding another power amplifier of similar or the same spec as your existing one, which is of little benefit, you're better off selling the existing one, adding to that the money you'd spend on a new power, and gettng a bigger power amplifier. They're definitely right on that point.

 

[plastic penguin]

potboyslim:

Hi, I am bi-amping using the x power on HF and integrated on LF.

Am wondering what improvements the Pre vs2 would make to the sound (if any), and how do you connect it up? Is it the same as bi amping format when connecting the pre to the power amp and then split them to the speakers?

Cheers,

Phil

By using an integrated as a pre-amp you'll certainly hear improvements, but as mentioned by other posters, to max the sound of your system dedicated pre/power is the direction in which to go -- depends, though, just how far you want or need to push the boat....

 

[crusaderlord]

Noting the comment above around dedicated pre-amp v integrated - whilst my own system sounds great and probably doesnt need any quick upgrade - if i were to find a good deal would it be best to add in either an Arcam pre-amp or a power amp ?

In either case the existing FMJ A32 integrated would need to fill the other requirement.

 

[plastic penguin]

crusaderlord:Noting the comment above around dedicated pre-amp v integrated - whilst my own system sounds great and probably doesnt need any quick upgrade - if i were to find a good deal would it be best to add in either an Arcam pre-amp or a power amp ? In either case the existing FMJ A32 integrated would need to fill the other requirement.

Bi-amp a power amp to your A32 will improve the sound noticably....apart from stronger and tighter bass you'll get improved clarity and better detail, certainly in the mid-range. Try to avoid the lesser power amps like P75/80 and minimum would be P85. For the best results with your amp the FMJ P35 (I think) is the kiddie.....

 

[Frank Harvey]

crusaderlord:Noting the comment above around dedicated pre-amp v integrated - whilst my own system sounds great and probably doesnt need any quick upgrade - if i were to find a good deal would it be best to add in either an Arcam pre-amp or a power amp ? In either case the existing FMJ A32 integrated would need to fill the other requirement.

There's a couple of ways to go from here. As an example, a P38 is roughly equivalent to the power amp section of the A38. Adding this will give you benefits as PP mentions, but I'd be inclined to get a better power amplifier and use your integrated as a pre for now. Then, at a later date, you can swap out the integrated for a pre.

Or, you can add the dedicated pre and use your A38 as a power amplifier. This won't give you as much initial benefit as the other option, but will get the most quality-wise from your existing system. Then you're free to swap out the integrated for a dedicated power amp at a later date.

So in simple terms, you can initially concentrate on getting the best quality from your system, or drive and control your speakers better.

 

[Anonymous]

Its more that I am holed up at home after having shoulder surgery and wondering what I could do with my system.

I could sell the integrated and get the pre amp for the same or if not cheaper than the sale value.

How do you connect a pre / power up, do you bi wire them to the speakers? Do you just use the power amp connections for the speakers so that you can connect it from there, or do you use the pre to one set, then the power to the other one?

Sorry for the rambling, but that is what you get when they give you morphine for pain relief lol

Or does bi amping give superior sound as dan says?

 

[Anonymous]

Right, worked out how to connect the pre to the power and then to the speakers (pain killers worn off a bit now lol!), so just have to have a listen and buy the thing if I like it.

Does a pre and power, beat biamping with the integrated and x power hands down, or will the change be quite subtle, and not much difference?

Phil

 

[Anonymous]

Hi,

I didn't do any extended listening (about 20 mins) but I found the arcam a32 + P35 bi-amped sounded better to my ears than in pre-power configuration. You may hear differently.

 

[Frank Harvey]

potboyslim:Does a pre and power, beat biamping with the integrated and x power hands down, or will the change be quite subtle, and not much difference?

There's benefits to both. Those after accuracy will prefer the dedicated pre/power. If you have a power and an integrated, then you may as well use both power amp sections and bi-amp.

 

[Anonymous]

I am bi-amping already, and have the psx-r on the integrated, which is used for the lows. (as per what Cyrus says on their website).

Just wondered that if the only difference with the pre and power is more accuracy, is it really worth the change for change sake?

 

[Frank Harvey]

Only you can decide.....

 

[Anonymous]

damn, just wish my shoulder would heal after the operation, as I am an impatient soul, and am bored sat at home.....

 

[Anonymous]

Add a second X-Power and wire them in twin mono mode. Later, flog the 8-VS2 and stretch for the DAC-XP+. Finally swap your CDP for the CD-XTSE+.

EDITED BY MODS - no trading, please

 

[Anonymous]

That is the thing, the sale of the 8vs2 would be to source the pre vs2, so no funds for another x power, or further up the cyrus food chain unfortunately.

So when is this sale of the century taking place in the summer? Hope that is not breaking any rules or will be edited.....

 

[Anonymous]

potboyslim: So when is this sale of the century taking place in the summer? Hope that is not breaking any rules or will be edited.....

June most likely, starting with the Pre-VS2 and DAC-X funnily enough. To be followed by the CD-XTSE in July, then the Power Amps when I know when I'm moving back to the USA. I'm switching to 110 volt units at the same time as upgrading. I figure I can run the lower power units (CD-SE+ and DAX-XP+) off a Maplin step-down transformer for a while, not so sure about the power amps.

When I go back to the states I'll be punting the DAB-8 (no DAB in the USA), the AV Master-8 ('cos it's not that good anyway) and I'll have five PSX-Rs to punt as well (a - cos they're 230 volts and b - cos with the new setup I'll only need two new 110 volt ones).

Cutting down from twelve boxes to six will make the wife think I've spent less

 

[Anonymous]

You really do like the little shoe boxes don't you, if you have 12!?

I am going to try and buy well before that, so seems as if you will be passing them on elsewhere lol.

Just gtot to find a nice black version now then....