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Best preamp for EAD DSP 9000 Pro DAC

Hi dear fellows.My system consists in a Krell kav 300 cd player,an ARC LS2BMK2 tube/ hybrid preamp and an ARC D200 amp.I recently bought an EAD DSP9000 PRO DAC ( which has also a preamp included)and I use my Krell cd player as transport.I´m very happy with the accurate timber of instruments,with the dark background of music and the quality of the EAD DSP 9000 PRo.Anyway when using this DAC as preamp too, I notice that the image restraines and there is no this soundstage I have when using my ARC LS2BMK2 tube/hibrid preamp without the EAD.The issue is that when using the EAD together with the ARC preamp I feel there is no sinergy so I am forced to choose between the accurate timber of music using EAD DAC as preamp too (without using the ARC preamp) and having a restrained image ¨OR¨ to choose using the ARC preamp whitout connecting the EAD DSp 9000 pro but in doing so I have this big soundstage and image but there is no this contour of instruments, details, accurate timber.So my question is.....Is there any preamp suitable for this DAC?Any experiences will be highly appreciated.Cheers.Raf
rafael0054

Showing 4 responses by zd542

zd542
5,339 posts
 
Both of those pieces are so old, I guess they could be considered vintage. Vintage can be good, but with preamps and dacs, that's rarely the case. I think you're best move would be to get rid of your preamp, dac, and cd player and just get a modern CD player that has a volume control, like a Wadia, or something similar. It will be better in every aspect than what you have now.
zd542
5,339 posts
 
I used to have one of those. Its not just about getting all the pieces connected, it still has to sound good when you are all through. Digital products that old, will suffer more from jitter because they were just learning about it, and it was a much bigger problem. That's the reason why the industry, at the time started to go from separates back to single box solutions. The way you have everything set up now, I can see why you are having the problem. If you don't want to sell anything, maybe try a reclocker between your transport and DAC. Given the age of the components, it should make a huge improvement.

Also, you can get a Wadia form much less than 7k. I have 2 of them. My 302 went for about 5k new, so you should be able to get one for around 3k. I also have a 861SE, but I still don't think I could get 7k for it. Maybe 5 or 6, but who knows.
zd542
5,339 posts
 
I may be able to give you some ideas, but can you list your entire system? Be sure to include cables, tweeks, power products, etc...
zd542
5,339 posts
 
See if you can get someone to lend you a more powerful amp to try in your system. You're D200 may be straining to drive the speakers and the preamp is masking the problem to some extent. Just to be clear, I'm not saying your amp is not good, because it is. You may lack power, not sound quality.
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