another rookie question - preamp or or power amp


I have a decent integrated amp ("decent" - to my ears). SS, 50Watts to 8 Ohms. It  has a preamp output. 

I have been looking at used power amps and preamps in the 2-400 dollar range.  

For example: the Parasound 2125 power amp, the Parasound P3

This is an OR question. Which choice will yield a better improvement,

1) if I put a preamp before my integrated so the integrated acts as the power amp

or 2) if I use my integrated as a preamp to a power amp?

It's also a choice to sell my integrated and save up until I can buy both a power amp and a preamp, but obviously I am itching to try one of the above options. 

My room is 15x13 so I am not sure I need a big power amp (big: 100Watts?)

 

grislybutter

You should save the $400 and continue to add to it. Your room is normal size. My room is the same size. Would I prefer to have a larger room? Absolutely, but we’ve down sized due to retirement. I’d recommend acquiring a system to fit your room rather than simply building a system that doesn’t fit your room.

You can acquire lots of used gear, many at excellent prices if you diligently search. But for me I’d concentrate on saving in order to acquire gear that’s worthy of your room.

@jnovak @unsound 

it seems to be opposing views to me - no preamp vs best preamp but I know the devil is in the details.

Thank you for all the feedback, it gives me a lot of different options and approaches to try!

I would go pre out from your IA, into two Fosi ZA3’s run in Mono mode.  Get the 48V, 5A power supplies.  The two will run you about $300, and I believe you will be majorly delighted with the power and sound quality.  These 3255 chip amps are amazing, and I believe they will be the next big thing in terms of amplification.