Why Are Separates Better?
Why Are Separate Amps Better Than Integrated?
Integrated amplifiers are built on compromise. To fit both the preamp and power amp stages into a single chassis—while keeping costs down—manufacturers are forced to make tradeoffs that affect performance.
That means:
- Lower-grade components to save cost
- Cramped layouts with longer signal paths
- Power amp current bleeding into preamp circuitry
All of this invites interference and noise—limiting the system’s full potential.
Separate components avoid these issues entirely. By designing the preamp and power amp as independent units, each stage is optimised for its singular task—with cleaner signal paths, quieter circuitry, and better performance across the board.
The Preamp’s Role: Purity First
The preamp’s job is to amplify low-level analog signals—whether from a turntable, CD player, or internal DAC—with minimal noise or distortion. These are fragile signals, highly susceptible to interference.
In a separate preamp:
- There’s no power-hungry amp stage nearby
- Internal layouts are shorter and cleaner
- Premium capacitors, resistors, and voltage regulators improve stability and reduce distortion
The result? Greater clarity, lower noise, and a more lifelike musical presentation.
Audiolab 9000P Power Amplifier
The Power Amp’s Job: Clean Current Delivery
The power amp is built to do one thing: drive speakers with authority. Separating it from the preamp allows manufacturers to use:
- Larger transformers
- High-capacity power supplies
- Robust output stages
This ensures dynamic power delivery without contaminating low-level signals. It also eliminates:
- Electrical interference: from the amp’s high current demands
- Mechanical interference: heat and vibration at high volumes
With separates, these interference paths are cut off completely. You get a cleaner, more natural sound—especially during quiet passages or complex recordings.
What You Hear: Dynamics & Noise Floor
1. Better Dynamics
Dynamics are a system’s ability to handle the jump from whisper to explosion. With integrated amps, both pre and power stages pull from the same power supply. When the power amp draws current for big transients (like a drum kick), the preamp suffers.
Separates solve this by giving each stage its own power supply. So:
- The power amp delivers punch and impact
- The preamp maintains signal integrity
This gives you more emotional impact. Not just sound—but performance you can feel.
2. Lower Noise Floor
The lower the noise floor, the more you hear:
- Decay of a piano note
- The breath between lyrics
- The space between instruments
Noise can come from cheap components, poor circuit design, or even nearby Wi-Fi routers and smartphones. But separates reduce all of it—especially internally. Add a power conditioner for good measure, and you’re in full cinematic territory.
A Real-World Example: Audiolab 9000Q + 9000P vs 9000A
Nothing showcases this better than comparing the Audiolab 9000Q + P separates against the 9000A integrated amp.
On a track like Your Power by Billie Eilish, the differences are striking. Her vocals are whisper-quiet, the guitar airy and sparse. With the separates, her voice fills the room—vivid and intimate. You hear textures, breaths, guitar decay into silence.
Switch to the 9000A, and things feel narrower. Billie steps back. The reverb shortens. It’s still a good experience—but not as immersive. With the separates, the silence between sounds is just as important as the sounds themselves.
So… Why Are Separates Better?
It’s not about chasing specs or brute wattage. It’s about eliminating compromise.
- Cleaner signal paths
- Lower noise floor
- Greater detail retrieval
- Deeper emotional connection
Separates like the 9000Q + P offer tighter bass, clearer highs, and a soundstage that breathes. Compared to integrated amps—even great ones like the 9000A—the upgrade is more than marginal. It’s transformational.
Explore the 9000 Series at Audiolab 9000 Series