Integrated as pre amp

I'm toying with the idea of getting an integrated amp to use as a pre amp for my power amp. Is this a silly idea? How does the sound quality of the pre in an integrated compare with that of a dedicated pre amp?

For example, I have a Rotel RB 971 with B&W 601S2s. I'm thinking of getting an RA 830 as the pre amp. Or maybe a NAD 3020 (or cambridge A1, does this have pre outs?) to add a little bit of warmth.

The reason I'm looking into this is puerly fund based. Integrateds are for some reason a fair bit cheaper.
Thanks
Harry

 

You could, but there would be little real point IMO.
Sell the RB971 and you could buy a late Audiolab 8000A, Cyrus 2/3, Exposure XX etc for around £200-300.

Are you fond of the Rotel for any reason?

 

plenty cheap pre's out there.. just gotta keep shopping around.

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Quad-34-Contr...631150829QQcategoryZ12050QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/TAG-Mclaren-P...629462323QQcategoryZ12050QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/NEW-NVA-P50-P...629329939QQcategoryZ12050QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

but then if it was my money id ditch the rotel and buy a better single box combination.

perhaps a NAD C350 if you want some warmth. Or if you sell your rotel.. the idea of an audiolab 8000A or 8000S is a good one.. they have a strong gutsy sound that works well with the B&W's (i used to use audiolab and B&W)

 

Harry, I don't think you can make any generalizations - it would depend on the particular model and whether it was by "accident" a good pre in an integrated designed down to a price. I would have thought if budget is the issue that you could get a good pre like a used Linn Kairn for good moeny these days. It's a matter of getting advice or listening for what's a good value pre. Perhaps if you could describe better what you feel are the problems?

 

Mmm guys I'd love to have the audiolab option but right now funds don't allow. I got the Rotel cos it was a good price (I think - £95). I've heard good things about it and it drives the speakers nicely - I was using a quad 303. So for the moment I'd like to keep it and give it a good chance.
I have seen a few pre amps about but keep hoping I'll get lucky and find one for under £50, but maybe this is completely unrealistic. Maybe I'll just save a while 'till there's a bit more cash.

 

Try a passive. Far less musically intrusive than a cheap active and you could build one for about £20.
Happy to help with some parts if you need them.

 

The RB971 is a pretty good power amp, especially for that money.

It certainly has plenty of gain on hand, so with a reasonable line level source, rob's suggestion of a passive pre isn't a bad one. Rotel certainly thought so when they stuck one on the front and called it an RA971.

 

Rob, this is exactly the sort of thing I'd be interested in. However, I haven't ever done any mods on audio equipment and don't know the ins and outs of circuit design completely.
However I can solder and am studying mechanical engineering (so should have a solid basic knowledge of analogue electrinics), so if there were easy instructions I'd say I'd give it a go.
Where would I go from here?

 

How many inputs do you require and where are you based?

 

I'd need at least a cd and an aux (for ipod dock), and maybe another line input for the future.
I'm based near petersfield, hants.

 

I could knock something up for you next week with three inputs using an Alps Blue. I''ve got plenty of bits n bobs around the place.
How does that sound?

 

Yeah that all sounds pretty good Rob. How much would you be asking? And where are you based, would you want me to pick it up?

 

I'm in London so posting might be easier.
Not asking anything - post me back a CD if you like it
I'll try and get something sorted by next weekend.
You can have it in any colour so long as it's black

 

Wow Rob that's a fantastic offer which I'll jump at. Please let me pay for postage at least though, and I'm sure we could work something else out maybe too.
Looking forward to it, and yeah black's fine (like the rotel!).
Thanks Again Rob