Should I upgrade my hifi amp?

[Roadster25]

All,

During a listening session last night OH commented that on busier tracks everything sounds a bit muddled. Coming from somebody who officially isn't interested in such things I take that as meaning things really could be improved. I must admit I suspected as much, but put it down to the upgrade itch.

I am currently using an old Exposure 7 and 8 Pre/Power combination, driving ProAc Studio 115 speakers. My main sources are a Gyro SE turntable and a Dacmagic on digital duties. We were both picking up on the muddling from both sources.

Would a more modern amp improve things? I wouldn't be looking at putting in a huge amount of cash, beyond the sale of the Exposures and a few sundry bits and pieces not in use at the moment. A decent phono stage would be welcome, but not essential. Perhaps a Rega Brio R or a Roksan Kandy? Or would the money be better spent on source upgrade (maybe turntable power supply)?

I know that before any purchase I should listen, but I'm just after some opinions before I start wasting anybody's time.

Thanks,

Roadster25

[FlossyThePig]

A quick test before you spend any money.

Unplug all your interconnects and speaker wires and reconnect them all.

Does it make a difference?

[Cheib]

I think amp's for some reason are the part of the system that gets ignored by many people and has a huge imapct on the system....people upgrade source compenents, speakers etc but often have the same amp for years.

When I put my system together a few years ago I spent a lot of time finding the right one and could not believe the difference it made.

No harm in trying a couple!

[Roadster25]

FlossyThePig said:

A quick test before you spend any money.

Unplug all your interconnects and speaker wires and reconnect them all.

Does it make a difference?

I like the idea of free improvements. Given it a go, but not had the chance to listen to much yet.

Should there be any difference? Some sort of placebo? (Obviously you can't answer that last question) Keeping an open mind.

[rhinochopig]

Roadster25 said:

FlossyThePig said:

A quick test before you spend any money.

Unplug all your interconnects and speaker wires and reconnect them all.

Does it make a difference?

I like the idea of free improvements. Given it a go, but not had the chance to listen to much yet.

Should there be any difference? Some sort of placebo? (Obviously you can't answer that last question) Keeping an open mind.

Only takes a stray strand of wire to cause propblems. Don't forget that the thermal transients that the heat from an Amp creates causes screw threads and interconnects to sometimes 'walk' too.

[Roadster25]

After a bit more listening yesterday I'm still not 100% satisfied with the Exposures at the moment, despite rewiring.

I don't have a huge amount of money to throw at this at the moment, so I suppose I am really asking whether or not amp technology has moved on significantly in the last 20 or so years. Would a modern, cheaper amp be a better bet? Or would a 20 year old high(ish) end amp still be the best option?

It is very easy to research how one amp for sale today stacks up against another amp for sale today, but not so easy to compare from different eras.

[Frances The Mute]

Roadster25 said:

After a bit more listening yesterday I'm still not 100% satisfied with the Exposures at the moment, despite rewiring.

I suppose I am really asking whether or not amp technology has moved on significantly in the last 20 or so years. Would a modern, cheaper amp be a better bet? Or would a 20 year old high(ish) end amp still be the best option?

With quality electronics, age is largely irrelevant. They will certainly benefit from a re-cap/service but it depends on what you compare it with in regards to modern equipment.

If nothing else has changed in the system, the best bet is to isolate one unit at a time to see what differences you yield. A friendly, local hi-fi boutique will happily organise a home-dem on equipment - especially if they feel a sale of some description will be forthcoming.