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RE: PS Audio Sprout vs classic Harman Kardon pm650




Above: Modern NAD integrated amp




Above: A 1959 Sherwood S5000 vacuum tube integrated amp rebuilt by the master Michael Samra. It's a killer!


Ok.

Let's begin with the basics.

A integrated amp is a amplifier and preamplifier in one chassis. A power amp is a stand alone amplifier, and a preamp is a stand alone preamplifier. A receiver is a amp, preamp, and tuner (radio) in one chassis, but that's another story.

The audio signal starts at the source (CD player, tuntable, tablet, phone etc). It next goes to the preamp or preamp section of your integrated amp. It then goes to the power amp or amplifier section of your integrated amp, and from there on to the speakers.

Now; The preamp referenced in the Orbit turntable is a "phono preamp". A phono preamp is a device that through a thing called RIAA equalization feeds a signal to the preamp, which in turn amplifies that signal and sends it to the power amp and on to the speakers.

If the integrated amp(s) you are considering already have a built in phono preamp, then you do not need the phono preamp available with the Orbit turntable.

Most older integrated amps and receivers had a built in phono preamp as LP's were the standard for home Hi-fi at that time.
A lot of modern integrated preamps did not include a built in phono preamp because the CD had taken over as the main source for home Hi-fi.

You are doing the RIGHT thing by asking these questions now instead of going through buyers remorse later.

There are many very good buys available with regard to integrated amps. Some have built in phono, and some do not. It is easy to add a good sounding phono preamp that you can connect to a "aux" input on your integrated amp if it does not already have one built in.

If it were me, I would go the used route especially if you intend to upgrade and begin to get interested in this stupid hobby.

Others will chime in, but I would look at offerings from NAD, Marantz, Harman Kardon, Adcom etc......

For more info, Google phono preamp and there you will get a detailed explanation of what a phono pre does.

Keep those questions coming and you won't make the mistakes that many of us did way back when.









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