2. amps-preamps
  3. 190114-95977

Not sure what to think

This weekend I spent A/B testing a new preamp. My system: OPPO 105 (I only  have CDs), Bryston 9B-SST amplifier, B&W 801 loudspeakers (circa 1980) no special cables, non-sound treated room. My current preamp is a Krell-KAV 250p recently serviced. I have always wanted to test a McIntosh preamp. My dad had McI equipment when I was growing up and recently visiting local stores with McI in their listening rooms blew me away (as would be expected in a vendor-setup room). I borrowed a McI C-49 to try out.

I spent 3 days putting different CDs in and out. Rock, jazz, classical, house. In rock, 80s rock, prog rock, anything I knew super well. I tried a few SACDs, too. I had to keep switching the cables so there was always about a minute or so going between the equipment. 

I wanted BADLY to hear a difference. I really did. Between the childhood nostalgia, the looks of the McI (yes, I know music is for listening, not watching what it comes out of), and the vendor visits, I was ready. I had to believe my "vintage" Krell would not stand up to a modern, much more expensive McI. I spent hours going back and forth and back and forth. I kept telling myself I would hear something different on the McI and I just did not. So many discs, keying in on different types of passages, focusing on the bass or the vocals or the mids. You name it, I was ready for that one tiny moment to say "drop the money on a McI and don't look back."

Alas, as much as I still have a passion for the McI for the non-auditory reasons above, for the moment I will be sticking with my Krell. I am not here to knock McI - I still love the thought of it, or any type of equipment that might upgrade my listening experience. I guess I should feel good that the Krell is still working and maybe something else will come along in my future. My sound producer friend suggested I spend the dollars on room treatments. :-)

olfac87

Showing 1 response by mrkrichman

mrkrichman
7 posts
 

I will not take away from any of the above responses but simply add a few things. 

You are at the mercy of the Microphone that picked up the sound from the instrument and or Vocal, along with the Recording Consoles Electronics also included in the chain is the 24 Track Tape Machine (If not done digitally) then the playback monitors and finally the Half track mastering tape which is used to create the Mother Stamper that presses the Vinal Record.

Also take into account the Engineer and or Artist that did the final mixdown. What were his or her ears (The Brain Does The Hearing) hearing when they mixed it.

What were the Studio Acoustics and Control Room Acoustics Like?

What kind of Monitors were they listening thru?

It goes on from there. There are so many variable's involved in the making the final product. This would also to some degree apply to a "CD". So I would say.. Enjoy what you have and crank it up. No two records or CD's will sound the same. Just tweetle the knobs until it sounds the best it can.

Having good equipment and the room set up and speaker placement goes a long way to enjoying your equipment. ENJOY!!

 

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