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Tubes to digital

hi,I have a Arcam av8 prepro and a Arcam 139 cd-dvd player.I want to upgrade to use the 139 for my movies and perhaps the audio research CD-7(dedicated for my cds as I like separates.
QUESTION is-running the tube based cd-7 into the av-8,will there be a major improvement in the sound from the Ar-7 running into a solidstate prepro,or will it still have the character of the AV-8 as it is the last component in the chain.THANKS FOR ANY HELP.

Av-8,Dv-139,Benchmark Dac-1,Bryston 7b-sst X 3 monos,2x4b-ssts, Revel 50-as X3,S-30 surrounds,Velodyne DD15,GRC interconnects and Shunyata python helix pcs and Clearaudio champion II turntable.
drummermitchell

Showing 2 responses by davemitchell

davemitchell
253 posts
 
Hey Drummermitchell,

Sure there would be a substantial improvement, but your question does raise something to consider. A good 2 channel analog preamp will be much better sounding than any surround processor for music listening.

You might consider getting a CD3mkII or ARC's new CD5 (coming out very soon) and spending the left over cash on a good preamp with a processor unity gain input (HT pass through). I think that combination would yield far better results than the CD7 alone.

I'm an ARC dealer.
davemitchell
253 posts
 
Don,

My point was that you could spend about the same amount of money as you would have on the CD7 alone and get both a CD3mkII and a good ARC tube line stage.

For example:

CD7 = 9000

CD3mkII = 5500
LS17 Pre = 4000

That's within $500 of your target. Also, the CD3mkII has just been discontinued so you can get a good deal on a used or demo model and save some more $.
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