2. amps-preamps
  3. 193638-170405

Help needed to make system better, please


I currently am mostly happy with my current system. I have moved my Daedalus Audio DA-1 speakers back into main spot. I run Simaudio Moon 740p balanced into Simaudio Moon 760a. Quiet, transparent, plenty of power. Good soundstage and imaging. Could use SLAM, PRAT, or dynamics. And a little treble extension. I want more meat on the bone sound. I know tube preamps deliver more rich, or “meat on the bone” sound, but usually are slower with less bass. I was told to try Pass Labs amp, but think they have less resolution and slight distortion. So, I am looking for direction. I was told BAT preamp has better dynamics. Thinking about a BAT VK-53se running balanced into Simaudio amp. Would this be forward move, or sideways? Definitely don’t want to go backwards. I can listen to my system for hours. No fatigue. Just feels like something is slightly missing. I do like dynamics, but I also like transparency and dead quiet background. Any and all suggestions are appreciated and welcome. Please let me know if you have moved on from 740p. What did you go for, and why? Is Pass Labs amp going to be a positive thing? I don’t want to keep going through gear. I am close now, just wanted that little richness and PRAT. 

sputz

Showing 2 responses by ghdprentice

ghdprentice
7,502 posts
 

I find if you want to get a feel for the field of possibilities find a dealer and listen a Luxman integrated (or SIM), Pass Integrated (several power levels available), and an Audio research I-50. You get the detailed / shiny (High Fi sounding) almost no Prat or midrange bloom, intermediate (Pass), and rich and musical (ARC). You will fall in love with one of them. Most brands fall on this spectrum. You want to make absolutely sure you match your tastes with the flavor you buy.

ghdprentice
7,502 posts
 

 

I am afraid you are describing Sim Moon products. That is how they sound. I am familiar with them and have owned and auditioned others. The 700 series are the driest and most transparent and lifeless.

I have owned Sim Audio in the past. It tends to be detailed with a lack of midrange bloom and PRaT. I had a SIM 650D DAC / CD Player with the outboard power supply ($18K together) . The 700 series is even more detailed scraping and dry sounding.

While I had a good Audio Research Ref tube preamp, the source was detailed and transparent but lean an analytical sounding with the SIM. No amount of follow on warmth could make up for its shortcomings.

Good Prat will come from good quality tubed equipment although Pass Xa series equipment is very good for solid state, and newer X is getting much better. You want to get a good tubed preamp, and warm yet detailed DAC / streamer. Then look into a better amp... maybe Pass XA, or maybe Krell.

The system I have now is exactly what you describe except for the slam. My system has outstanding bass, but it is not brick wall fast and gone bass. It is thick rich and emotionally involving. You can see my systems under my userID. 

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