[joshjacobs]

I've been messing around, and I wanna upgrade my sound. 
 
I wan a nice Preamp and a power amp. Both around 300 or lower.
 
What do you recommend? 
 
Also, that go well with a Spitfire DAC?

 

[lbj]

For speakers?
 

 

[joshjacobs]

Quote:

For speakers?
 

For headphones and Speakers. I switch.

 

[lbj]

Not sure you can get much in a separate preamp and amp for $300.  Maybe a nice integrated amp or receiver?  Or maybe a used Bottlehead Sex (not sure if they go as low as $300 though)?
 

 

[joshjacobs]

Quote:

Not sure you can get much in a separate preamp and amp for $300.  Maybe a nice integrated amp or receiver?  Or maybe a used Bottlehead Sex (not sure if they go as low as $300 though)?
 

I meant that the Preamp and the Amp can BOTH be 300 dollars or less (600 all together). And what is a Bottlehead Sex? Is it a Receiver? Also, what does a Receiver do?

 

[lbj]

Oh, $600, that's a whole new ballgame.  Lots of choices, I'll let others chime in with recommendations.
 
Bottlehead Sex: http://www.bottlehead.com/store.php?crn=224&rn=433&action=show_detail
 
A receiver is an all-in-one component, combining a preamp, amp, and radio tuner (hence the name receiver) in one chassis.  Here's a typical receiver, I'm sure you've seen one before:

 

 

[hduong]

How's the sound quality of the headphone out on these receivers?

 

[lbj]

I have no first-hand experience with receivers, but lots of head-fiers have reported good things about vintage Marantz and Sansui.  And also:
 
http://www.head-fi.org/forum/thread/537704/calling-all-vintage-integrated-receiver-owners