Upgrading Integrated Amp for a Pre+Amp

[Juiced]

I am considering replacing my Integrated Kondo Overture pm-2i with a preamplifier + amplifier.
Kondo preamp and an amp would be the neutral choice but financially it is not feasible.

With a good preamp, I could get more dynamics and probably more of everything.

I was wondering if there are tube preamp and amp combo alternatives that could be an upgrade from the Overture for about 20k $ +/-.

 

[njaudio2010]

integrated unit will give you a coherent, musical sound - they usually a feature a simple functional preamp secition -- which means less chance to degrade the signal purity. . if you dont want to (OR cant ) try mulitiple (4-20) preamps, it may not be worth it. a dedicated preamp will give you the important advantage of power supply . however, most preamps (including the costly ones) usually change the sound -- and in many cases degrade the sound quality. so it maybe a long search to find a preamp
that would be able to surpass a good integrated on musicality.

 

[jfrech]

Those EL34 amps are usually pretty sweet. I'd be careful, sometimes it's not better. Plus factor in interconnects that you don't need with an integrated. What kind of cables do you use? Could be something else to consider...

 

[Juiced]

Those EL34 amps are usually pretty sweet. I'd be careful, sometimes it's not better. Plus factor in interconnects that you don't need with an integrated. What kind of cables do you use? Could be something else to consider...

Kondo ls-41 interconnects,
Which is also the overture pm-2i internal wiring.

 

[jfrech]

Are you using the Kondo speaker cable as well? Where I am going is have you tried a better speaker/power cord? Thinking Siltech, Transparent, Purist Audio...

 

[Juiced]

Are you using the Kondo speaker cable as well? Where I am going is have you tried a better speaker/power cord? Thinking Siltech, Transparent, Purist Audio...

Yes and power cable as well.
Kondo gear sounds best with Kondo wiring.

I don't see the point as i don’t consider them "better”.