[pewe]

I have  - on a long term loan - a Nuforce IA7, the 2x50W version. I think it sounds really good and it is an excellent product but I can sometimes think that I wan't more...More power, more bass, more everything really.

My question is this: how much difference is there in sound quality if I jump up to a P8 preamp and two Ref. 9? My speakers are Audiovector Mi3 Signature and the new Cambridge 840C cd-player. The speakers are not that hard to drive but I know for a fact that they sound better with more power.

Will I notice much difference?

[rustydoglim]

I think for your situation, you can go with IA-7 V2. The cost of the upgrade is $150 for the 200W power supply and $400 for V2 amp boards.  But P-8 and Ref 9 (I would suggest Ref 8.5V2 first) will give you a starting point in our Ref series where you can migrate up over time as you upgrade your systems.
P-8 trade-in to P-9,  Ref 8.5V2 -? Ref 9V2 -> Ref 9V2SE

[pewe]

Thanks for your reply, Jason. Is there an easy way of describing the difference in sound quality between an IA7 and an P8/Ref9 combo? Just wondering how much everything improves - is it a "night and day" experience or is the differences more subtle?

[fly_fish_nz]

Also interested in the differences between the IA7 and IA7-V2 Jason.

[rustydoglim]

The difference between IA-7 and IA-7 V2 is basically between previous generation amp and version 2 amp. A lot of reviews have compared Ref 9 and Ref 9V2.