I’ve got the speakers I want identified, and probably the 2-channel power amp as well. However, I am trying to determine whether (or how much) I benefit from also getting the relatively costly pre-amp and streamer unit (costs as much as the power amp), versus putting the power amp behind my existing $500 Yamaha AVR with a $200 Nvidia Shield for the streaming. Obviously my old home theater amp can’t power the speakers on its own, so I know I have to do the speakers and the power amp together to get anywhere initially, but I’m then questioning why I can’t use what I already have for the ‘control’ and source aspect. Essentially, I’m struggling to conceptualize the value of the pre-amp & streamer unit over the existing AVR and Nvidia. Am I nuts or is that logical?

​

  • ChooChooChuckyBEnglish
    1·
    10 months ago

    I had my first system for 20 years before advancing components. After new speakers things started changing rapidly and am researching more changes. This only happened after I really began studying.

  • OpenRepublic4790BEnglish
    1·
    10 months ago

    I started out buying really cheap gear, sort of a learning phase I suppose. That includes buying different types of gear just to see what it sounds like, all relatively inexpensive (well under $1K each) Since, I’ve done both a few place-holder buys knowing I would be upgrading later, followed by replacing that gear with carefully considered choices intended to be end-game. A few items were carefully chosen from the start as end-game. I haven’t yet replaced any of my end-game choices.

    I went through 3 DACs, 4 power amps, 2 preamps, 2 phono pre’s, one streamer, one sub, one turntable & cart, and maybe a little surprising, but I still have my original speakers (not intended to be end game, but rather are homemade, but they just sound so good).

  • TenchiroBEnglish
    1·
    10 months ago

    I started out with an Aiyima A07 and the Moukey passive speakers powered off my phone. I slowly added and upgraded it and then built a second system out of the leftovers. That second system has since become my vintage system and my girlfriend got the leftovers from it, she is now building her second system and all those original components are either dead or unused currently.