New Preamp or go Integrated

I'll give you my .02.  I was in a similar situation.  Personally, I don't want separates anymore, been there and done that for 30 years.  I moved from a Pass INT25 (had for about 4 years) to a MA352 about 4 months ago.  A huge difference in sound.  Not better, not worse, just way different.  The Pass is a more "transparent" unit for lack of a better word.  It was very much a "you are there" sound.  The Mc is lush, big, without losing detail.  I did have to get used to the new sound.  I was not happy at first.  After 4 mos, I love this MA352.  The Mc works better in my life.  The Pass does generate lots of heat and I have a small apartment.  I didn't leave the Pass on all the time.  No problem wit6h the Mc.  The Mc has subwoofer outputs, the Pass doesn't.  The Mc has a MM catridge input.  

I put some Brimar yellow tubes in the Mc.  It's fun playing around with tubes - once in a while.  

So net net, the only advice I could give you now is to see if you can find an MA352 in your price range.  I think it's da bomb.  

I appreciate everyone’s feedback and recommendations.

I’ve decided to focus on a preamp and keep my separate components. My long term plan to continue upgrading along the path as needed, and financially capable.

Listed are the top contenders, new and used, in the $5k or less range.

- Pass Labs XP-12 (used)

- Hegel P20

- Anthem STR

- PS Audio Stellar Gold

As reflected, I’m not focusing on tube preamps.

Reading your preference for a lively, detailed, holographic sound, I was going to recommend the Hegel P20, which I have and which is on your short list. 

I run P20 > DSonic M3a-600M monos > ATC SCM19v2 w/pair Elac RS700.

Enjoy your pre-amp upgrade, whichever you choose! 

a) Your parasound is not even a great piece. Why spend 5k on a preamp for it...

b) As is with most forum guys,  you are not exactly some grand chef in the kitchen who can mix/match different preamps/power amps ...especially after age 70+ and you have no idea how to characterize the sound of things.

Here's a power amp and a preamp, high value separates, imo. for around 4k new (1k under your budget)...better idea than buying some guy's used beat up junk,, or mixing/matching things with crappy execution.

https://youtu.be/NMcIE3K2bD8?si=VERyQ_0m2bYcy8L8

(IF you have 10k, you can get to another level of finesse with a certain brand, but, you don’t have adequate speakers for that caliber of stuff)

Current equipment is the Parasound A23+,Lumin D3, Elac PPA phono pre, VPI Prime and the Contour 20i.

Listed are the top contenders, new and used, in the $5k or less range.

 

- Pass Labs XP-12 (used)

 

- Hegel P20

 

- Anthem STR

 

- PS Audio Stellar Gold

 

As reflected, I’m not focusing on tube preamps.

I have the Hegel 390. It is incredible and you will never need more power than it provides. Its internal DAC is quite good although I did just upgrade to the Denafrips Pontus 15th. That said I use the 390 DAC for the CD transport which I think sounds better than the Pontus ( which I use for streaming only).  A local audiophile friend who I think has literally owned every piece of high end gear ever made over the years and has listened to systems costing over $100k came over to listen.  I mentioned a bunch of future ideas I might pursue some day. He told me very directly to “pump the brakes”. That I’ve built a really wonderful system (around the 390) and I should simply enjoy it for a while. Really good advice and a compliment to the 390. The only negative I have regarding the 390 is that it only has 1 set of XLR inputs and both my turntable chain and streaming chain sound best on XLR. Which is why I might consider going to the 590 or 600 which have 2 XLR ins.