Preamp or Not

Anticipating the sonic results of driving amps direct with a CDP/DAC is really a crap shoot I think. I have a Wadia 302CDP. It is not bright tonally speaking but so far with the amps I have connected it to the tone was clinical and it benefited from using it with preamps (I've used several different preamps and the Wadia always benefited.) Perhaps it needed the edges filed off a tad by a pre-amp. I wanted it to be otherwise, but not to be so. I think if you must have balanced channels and/or XLR connectors, and your fussy about tone, you're going to need to get a pre-amp. Too bad you can't get demo on a CPD that you might favor. Actually, if you could figure out which CDP you would like, performance wise, you could buy one. Then if it didn't work you could add the appropriate pre-amp to solve your problem. FWIW.

Espoverload, I briefly revisited your earlier thread in which I participated. Mihalis sort of mirrors my thoughts here. I though you had solved your noise problem when you used some XLR connectors on your amps? Not so?

One thing that might be helpful would be if you could more specifically describe the 'noise' or 'distortion' that you are hearing, i.e. is it a buzz in the lower frequencies which you clearly hear when you put your ear near(er) the mid range or bass, or a higher frequency constant hiss heard more clearly with your ear near the tweeter. You use the word 'distortion' and that covers way too wide a range of possibility of sounds.

Another thing to consider is I/C and PC dressing. PC's and transformers too close to I/C or other components can cause problems. As (IF) you follow my recommendation include an examination of their condition and their placement so you will know if it is the source of the noise.

If I had your problem this is exactly what I would do. Disconnect everything from your amps (except speakers of course). Disconnect these components PC's from outlets.

Then carefully reassemble, one component at a time and identify exactly when this noise appears. For example, when you connect your preamp first connect it to the amp but don't plug it. Listen. Any noise? No? OK then plug it in. Any noise? Yes? Pull the PC from the wall of conditioner and add a 'cheater plug'. Still have noise. OK disconnect PC and remove 'cheater plug'. Noise goes away - OK you now have identified your problem as a ground loop caused by your pre-amp. If the noise doesn't go away consider that you may beed dealing with the pre-amp(s) noise floor. They all have one - whether you hear it or not depends on speaker efficiency, amp sensitivity and gain issues. Pre-amps with high gain and speakers with high efficiency for example will regularly have noise issues which will be aggravated by speaker input sensitivity. I'm assuming the noise if the result of the pre-amp for this drill, but if you should continue the drill thru the addition of source components to see if any differences occur as they are added.

If after this drill you can't find a source, consider that the problem may be riding on your houses wiring and or other domestic items on the same circuits as your audio stuff.

It will be very helpful to anyone trying to help you if you can present a thorough, detailed, description of exactly what you have, what you have done, and the results of each transaction.

BTW your first drill will be in breaking this long winded exercise down into some easy to absorb pieces. :-)

Espoverload, A cheater plug is a plug with the old fashion 2 blade connector with the big round ground blade removed. You plug your 3 blade PC into it then you plug it into you outlet.

While it is always nice to have one in the drawer to use if you think you might have a ground loop, or where it is, I doubt that is your problem based on the sound you are describing.