Food for thought guys, thanks. I'm using Synergistic Research AC Master Coupler power cords on the amps, a high-end YBA cord on the CD, fixed cord on the SP14, and the Oracle table needs it's own cord. I'm using Transparent and MIT IC's. I've reduced toe in to almost nil, helped a little bit, but not enough yet. I'm using Bright Star bases under pre and CD, and a Seismic Sink under the 'table. I'm about to try out an isolation base from Cambridge, basically a metal shelf and you stick 5 of their little balls under it. Not sure what the balls are made of, probably some sort of rubber or sorbothane. Interesting that Paul feels the pre could be improved, I figured any tube preamp would add just enough bloom to offset the solid state amps. Oh, about 90% of my listening is primarily rock, both old and new. I'll mull this over some, thanks!
I promised myself I'd never do this
You know the threads, where people ask for help matching this speaker to that amplifier (s)? Always seemed like wasted space in a lot of ways to me, but here I find myself pondering which way to go with my system. So, I break my own golden rule, and ask for your advice. The system: Oracle Delphi IV/SME345/Grado Reference, Magnum Dynalab Tuner, YBA CD Integre CD player, Audio Research SP14 Preamp, (2) Classe Audio DR8 amplifiers in bridged mode, Martin Logan Quest Z speakers bi-wired. Various quality IC's and power cords. I'm considering changing the amps, primarily due to a "live" listening room that would benefit from a more mellow sound, and the amps have more power than I'll ever need. Treating the room is out of the question, lawyers cost more than my rig. Naturally tubes come to mind, but the care and feeding of tube amps can be significant, solid state are plug and play and forget about 'em. I'd likely be looking to spend around $3k for a used amp, any suggestions on where to begin? Thanks in advance to any of you who take the time to respond, Jeff