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Theta Miles owners: Using preamp or direct?

Anyone using a Theta Miles cd player? If so, are you using a preamp, or direct via analog volume? I have about $550 max to spend on a power source and I'm trying to figure out if I can get the best sound using the Miles direct into an amp, or would it sound better using a preamp? If going the preamo route, I'm thinking of integrated amps. Anyone have any opinions on the Acurus DIA100? If amp direct, I have a AR Multi 2 I'm going to audition from a friend. Another member here recommended a Muse Model 100.
jsbach1685
10 responses Add your response
zd542
5,339 posts
 
"I have about $550 max to spend on a power source"

I would just buy a poweramp and use the volume on the Theta. For $550, I don't think you'll find something that sounds better.
karl_desch's avatar
karl_desch
422 posts
 
I agree. The only reason to use a pre with the Miles is if you have other sources to switch. The Miles was a great CDP!
georgehifi's avatar
georgehifi
10,312 posts
 

Hi Jsbach1685

Your Theta Miles has a very nice low 50ohms output impedance plus 4v from the rca output, or 8v from the balanced
This means it will drive any poweramp direct no trouble at all from either output.

So save your money and use it direct into any poweramp of your choice as it is a perfect match.

By adding an active preamp or integrated amp into the mix you will have too much gain problems plus added colourations.

Cheers George
gslone
274 posts
 
If you haven't got your power amp yet, make sure you get one on the warm and smooth side. I've owned Theta products from the late 90's (and still own one piece) In my experience they sound on the detailed and hard side and sometimes glaring, so I think you would need to soften it up any way you can, unless you like that type of hard sound.
zd542
5,339 posts
 
"03-25-15: Gslone
If you haven't got your power amp yet, make sure you get one on the warm and smooth side. I've owned Theta products from the late 90's (and still own one piece) In my experience they sound on the detailed and hard side and sometimes glaring, so I think you would need to soften it up any way you can, unless you like that type of hard sound. "

The Miles never had that problem. If anything, its a little on the dull side.
georgehifi's avatar
georgehifi
10,312 posts
 

Maybe it was his amp!

As going direct will show the tonal colour of it and the speakers, as there is no preamp in the way to colour the sound.
And yes I have found the Theta Miles very neutral, transparent and dynamic when going direct, as well implemented R2R ladder multibit always do.

Cheers George
sgordon1
413 posts
 
I go direct, with the Miles.

Better sound.
No cable/preamp colorations.
Lowest total cost.

For a real treat, place a thin cork layer
between the circuit boards inside the unit,
and isolate the Miles well, from vibrations.
It responds favorably to upgraded fuse, too.
gslone
274 posts
 
Zd542
My system revealed Theta products from the late 90's to be very neutral, detailed, dynamic, dry, hard, in your face, and at times glaring with badly recorded CD's. And they did this very impressively.
zd542
5,339 posts
 
"03-26-15: Gslone
Zd542
My system revealed Theta products from the late 90's to be very neutral, detailed, dynamic, dry, hard, in your face, and at times glaring with badly recorded CD's. And they did this very impressively."

I believe you. My comment was just on the Miles. To me, it seemed like it didn't come alive with music. I'm not sure what it was. If I had to guess, maybe it was the transport. I never did like the Pioneer units they put in those things.
georgehifi's avatar
georgehifi
10,312 posts
 

Many of the electronics of that era, were not the best either, and it was also the infancy of metal dome tweeters which were in your face with their resonant peak in the HF.
So I would not solely point at the Theta Miles having the problem.
Because when I heard it sound great was through a pair of Sonus Faber Extrema, with their very expensive non metal dome Esotar tweeter, and a pair of Threshold class A mono blocks driven direct from the Theta Miles.

Cheers George
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