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Audio research or Manley 300B pre amp for Upgrade

Dear: my respected fellow audiogon members,

After deciding on my speaker upgrade, I am now about to seek some improvement in my audio system. As currently using audio aero capitole mk2 source conected directly to my manley snapper monoblock, I was advised by some friends that I should instead add a Pre amp. However, as I read through some of other members discussion, I found out that there were pros and cons regarding the pre amp usage after the aero. Some opinions hold it strong against pre amp addition as it will alter the purity of signal coming out of the aero, whereas some others believe that by adding pre amp there will be more body to the music as well as depth and staging width improvement.

Now, that I have the choice to tryout for a pre amp, should I go for the Audio research pre such as ls27 or even the reference 5, or should I go simpler by using the single ended manley neo-classic 300B pre amp (which doesn't have the XLR connection).. I lean towards all genre of musics (country, jazz, classical, soft rock) with exception of hard musics..

Would anyone share with me some great expertise and wisdoms.. Thanks all..
jonathan_pp

Showing 4 responses by jonathan_pp

jonathan_pp OP
21 posts
 
Dear: musicophile

Thank you for your great and valuable advise.. I will give it a try, and see how it works, I think, I will agree with your lead.. Have a great weekend..
jonathan_pp OP
21 posts
 
Dear: musicophile and efner (and montejay too)

Thanks for the great advise, my only concern with the 300B neoclassic pre is that it doesn't have the xlr connection compared to the ARC. Would that single ended connection be a downside or instead a benefit in that sinergy?.. I want my music to come alive with good body and speed.. Of course with sweetness as well..I was told by a friend, the single ended connection is going to be sweeter whilst the xlr will give me more speed, transient, body and attack..does this concern you guys at all?. ..
jonathan_pp OP
21 posts
 
Dear: Charlesdad and Musicophile

I think I would strongly agree with you guys, I tried the shrimp yesterday (got it from a friend) and the entire set up really opened up a new dimension of musicality.. With the shrimp (comparing it to going direct from Aero to Snapper), music sounded magical, with greater balance and focus, timbre and body, overall it sorts of widen the sound stage to infinity.. And there seems to be no veil between listener and music,.. I would be quite sure, that it would be much better with the Manley 300B pre combination...I am ordering my 300B pre on my shortlist..once again Thank you very much for your generous expertise..
jonathan_pp OP
21 posts
 
Dear: Montejay

Thanks for the truthful approach, I think you are absolutely correct, I need to really settle with the new changes(speakers) first, and literally go step by step from there to really determine what is "right" for the entire set up. I agree with you that each new component would certainly bring up (or improve) the performance of the whole picture..I would go step by step..and see how each pre amp would behave in my set up...Great ideas..
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