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PS Audio GCC-250 - how to take it to "musicality"

I have a PS Audio GCC-250 combined with Anthony Gallo Reference 3.1 speakers. I love so many things about this combination - the GCC-250 is incredibly quiet, and quite neutral. If you have read the Stereophile review of the GCC-100, they talk about "accuracy" versus "musicality" with the GCC-100 being accurate. Having lived with this amp for a while, I tend to agree.

What I would like to do is add a little more "musicality" to my mix. I have tried a few tube amps (like the CJ CAV-50), and liked the improved soundstage, and the way the music sounded like you were there at the performance, BUT at the expense of the accuracy that the PS Audio gives and more background "noise".

I also tried an Audible Illusions 2D preamp - that was interesting. I got a lot of what I was looking for, but felt like quite a bit of the accuracy was veiled.

I am considering a few options:

1. Have this amp Cullen modified to stage 3.

2. Add a preamp that is quiet, yet adds a little musicality.

My goal here - trying to add a little "musicality" to my system, but don't want to lose much of "accuracy" that the PS Audio has.

I would love to get the community's thoughts/advice/suggestions on this.
bluesbassplayer

Showing 1 response by hifiman5

hifiman5's avatar
hifiman5
1,832 posts
 
Do you have your components seated on "footers"? I have done a great deal of tuning in my system varying the type and composition of the footers to dial in more detail or more "musicality" as the need has arisen during the evolution of my system. Herbie's Tenderfeet may help you get where you want to go. They maintain the basic frequency characteristics of your components but smooth out the texture so as to significantly reduce "grain" and "glare". I abhor both of those nasties. You can email Steve Herbelin, tell him about your system and your goals, and he can provide quite sage advice on how you might "tune" your system to get to where you want to be.

A side benefit of the tuning process...it really helps you learn about the true virtues of your components!

Good luck.
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