Starting out I would stay with the same brand of amp and preamp. Compatibility problems can drive you nuts and take your money. You can have the best amp, best preamp and best speakers ect. Each recommended by a different person and each right - for their system. Put them all together and it sounds bad. Kinda like replacing your video card with the newest and greatest in your state of art computer. Might have compatibility problems with motherboard or soundcard ect., or might not.
Suggestions on a pre-amp
Hello Folks,
I’m posting this question to those who have had some experience mixing and matching up pre-amps with a variety of differing manufactures equipment.
My system is currently a mish-mash of fairly decent gear… I consider myself a budding audiophile with a lot to learn, but I have been making incremental steps in trying to develop the system to its maximal potential…(while staying under the wife’s radar pertaining to budget…Thank God for Audiogon!)
I am running a pair of Dali MS4 speakers, powered by a Bryston 4bsst pro amplifier, that is handled by a Hafler JFET 945 series pre-amp, that in turn receives its attention from a Marantz SA 11-1 CD player. The interconnects are Audioquest King Cobras (unbalanced RCA’s).
I am pleased with the sound, however I have been wondering if the elder Hafler pre-amp were to be replaced, what might others pair up with a Marantz player or a Bryston amp? Or does the pre-amp really make that much of a difference?
I have been reading good things about the Parasound P-3 pre-amp,($800 new ~ $500 used) but I can find none around to audition.
Lastly, I ask the question can a pre-amp reduce the occurrence of clipping?
Thanks in advance for any information provided. Cheers
I’m posting this question to those who have had some experience mixing and matching up pre-amps with a variety of differing manufactures equipment.
My system is currently a mish-mash of fairly decent gear… I consider myself a budding audiophile with a lot to learn, but I have been making incremental steps in trying to develop the system to its maximal potential…(while staying under the wife’s radar pertaining to budget…Thank God for Audiogon!)
I am running a pair of Dali MS4 speakers, powered by a Bryston 4bsst pro amplifier, that is handled by a Hafler JFET 945 series pre-amp, that in turn receives its attention from a Marantz SA 11-1 CD player. The interconnects are Audioquest King Cobras (unbalanced RCA’s).
I am pleased with the sound, however I have been wondering if the elder Hafler pre-amp were to be replaced, what might others pair up with a Marantz player or a Bryston amp? Or does the pre-amp really make that much of a difference?
I have been reading good things about the Parasound P-3 pre-amp,($800 new ~ $500 used) but I can find none around to audition.
Lastly, I ask the question can a pre-amp reduce the occurrence of clipping?
Thanks in advance for any information provided. Cheers
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