Idiot trying to upgrade his system - likes the tube sound


I currently have a McIntosh C275 tube amp with Wilson WattPuppy 7 speakers, along with a MC22 preamp and redbook CD player. I don't like vinyl records (for the most part). I heard SACD's and DSD high resolution, so want to go with a better SACD / DAC combination. My local audio folks (Paragon in Ann Arbor, MI) are nice folks, but cater to the wealthy. I have $$$, having sold 2 of my biotech companies, but I am a careful person about spending money on audio. I am 62 and a professor at a medical school.

Sorry for the long intro- Here is my question: Should I trade in my Rotel (very nice) CD player and MC22 preamp - get the new Marantz SA-10 SACD player, but then what should I hook that into? A new 1100 McIntosh digital or analogue preamp? Should I buy a more powerful ampilifier then the MC275 (at 75 watts per channel)? Any advice out there - I woud be very grateful. Thank-you! 
gerryah930

Showing 1 response by xti16

As for tubes my experience with the Octave V40se (40W) - V70se (70W) and V110 (110W) made very minor differences. I started with Dyn C1 signatures and later went to Raidho D1's and D2's. The main difference was as I moved up the ladder I could hear a hair more 'control' in the music.

randy-11 as far as clipping tubes are very different and nowhere as noticeable as SS. What was noticeable was the tubes they would 'run out of steam' when pushed hard. It was much more noticeable with the Raidho's. But if you don't listen extremely loud tubes are great. Also with the 'house sound' that can easily be changed by try different tubes.