You built two different systems. You would have a problem if they did not sound different. :) |
Haha.. fair enough. The fact that what’s mainly a dac, it’s pre amp somehow sounds better than the pre amp of what’s considered a higher end marantz amplifier . Just doesn’t make sense to me. |
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not surprised at all
so long as the source have enough electrical drive into the power amp, it takes a very very nice linestage to sound better than no linestage at all... (and your marantz pre stage just ain’t that nice, i am sorry to say...) |
Thanks guys.. I’m glad that I’m not imagining.
Should I consider upgrading my marantz to a dedicated power amp? If so, any recommendations for the special 40s? |
@jjss49 is the power amp of the marantz as good as they come for the price or should I consider upgrading? If latter, do you have any recommendations? Thank you, appreciate your inputs. |
Sound quality of going direct definitely depends on the quality / type of preamp (as well as the output stage of the DAC). When I go direct from my ADI-2 into my Stereo100 tube amp it doesn't sound as good as ADI-2 into my RP7 pre. It's not a massive difference, but going direct into power amp sounds less full, is a bit "drier" and perhaps a touch rolled off. Both sound pretty good though. The ADI-2 is a fine DAC regardless. |
Keep the Marantz as a power amp! It is high quality! Spending more on another amp will only yield a small difference at best! The power stage of the Marantz is already very transparent to the source - as you heard when you used the DAC direct. |
@gakerty well, it looks like your preamp is more expensive than my integrated and rme combined? So it better sound better. Lol |
Thanks everyone!
@jason thank you. You’re right, based on other comments, I believe the marantz’s pre is not as good. So I will keep it as my power amp. I doubt anything in its price range can beat it.
so potentially I could upgrade by getting a dedicated pre amp or a better streamer or both.
will the lumin u1 mini be a substantial upgrade over the node 2i if I leave everything else as it is? If so, what sort of difference can I expect in sound? Soundstage, tonality, imaging, ? |
Assuming you can get the volume on the RME up to where you are not bit stripping it will be the least amount of any colorations possible. RME recommends running the DAC directly into power amp. |
@mofojo sorry but can you please elaborate? I’m not very technical. I’ve left the reference volume on auto (-5db). The volume on the rme is around -25db to -40db. Am I doing something wrong? Thanks again for your help! |
IMO all streamers sound alike. Think of them as a selector box. No gain involved - so no coloration added. People that claim to hear differences are IMO just whistlin' Dixie - or trying to sell you something! |
@jasonbourne Have you heard streaming that has a Fibre Optic cable? Preferably like the Lumin X1 or the new mega expensive Linn DAC which have Fibre Optic inputs on the DAC itself. Or what I use, the Sonore OpticaRendu with the stream coming straight out of a $299 Ubiquiti Network Switch Fibre output and going into the OpticalRendu which then outputs USB to my DAC? |
“@mofojo sorry but can you please elaborate? I’m not very technical. I’ve left the reference volume on auto (-5db). The volume on the rme is around -25db to -40db. Am I doing something wrong? Thanks again for your help!”
The RME volume is digital. Once it gets down so far it starts to lose resolution or bits. Most content is 16 bit and I believe the RME is 32 bits so not sure how far down you would need to go for anything to be affected or if it would even be noticeable. I found the volume to be very transparent with no noticeable degradation.
Try the loudness function as well. You can add bass and treble at low volume that gradually goes away as you turn it up. All configurable and pretty damn cool! |
op @jjss49 is the power amp of the marantz as good as they come for the price or should I consider upgrading? If latter, do you have any recommendations? your marantz integrated amp costs $4000 i think most really highly regarded stand-alone linestages would cost about that much in themselves, plus or minus a grand as such i would say as a practical matter if you are hearing better sounding music running your rme dac straight into the power amp section of the marantz, just stick with that, and enjoy the music! |
Indeed, I understand. The integrated is no sloutch. But sometimes strange synergy kicks in. You'd expect the synergy to be in the pre of Marantz. But IF the DAC is meant to run to the amp, then it is connected the way it was voiced.. Next DAC probably won't. Hard to say
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@jjss49 that makes sense. Until I can afford a dedicated pre amp with solid linestages, I’m just going to stick with this. And yes, I’m really enjoying this new sound signature. Thank you! |
@mofojo thank you. Don’t think I’ve ever used the loudness feature. I’m going to go through the rme encyclopaedia (user manual) and play around with it. |
There are some really good YouTube videos of the RME functionality. I was able to grasp that easier than the manual. Not too bad once you start messing with it. |
I run my RME ADI 2fs DAC direct to my Pass and am really mixed whether I prefer going direct or through my Modwright LS36.5 preamp or not. Without the Teddy Pardo power supply I definitely prefer going through my preamp. With the Teddy however it is damn good going direct. I’m also using an SR Orange on the Teddy, Nordost Frey 2 balance and WyWires Juice II Digital PC which definitely brings some magic of its own. My guess is you’re using the stock switch power supply with the stock power cord. Throw a Linear PS and a better PC and you’ll be amazed how much the RME improves. Much fuller sound, and not at all analytical as some say. The RME is really good on its own, but you’re only touching what it’s capable of. |
The RME is a great DAC....so much in that little box, and it sounds good |
