upgrade suggestion please for Zu Omen def


Although I am quite happy with my system, the upgrade bug bites me again. My current system has the following:

Computer
Audiogd NFB-3 DAC
PrimaLuna Prologue 3
Cary SE-1 power amp with 2A3 tube
Zu Omen Def speakers

Based on the reviews and comments, I am looking into the following options (and I didn't heard any of them)

1) replace Cary SE-1 to Melody I2A3
2) replace PrimaLuna and Cary with Almarro 318B
3) replace PrimaLuna with Supertek preamp

I think all the Melody I2A3, Almarro 318B and Supertek all with excellent feedback. The Melody I2A3 has rave review and match very well with Zu per the 6moon review. The Supertek has rave review by the community. The Almarro has rave review in 6moons as well.

Is there anyone has experience with any of them with Zu Omen Def can comment? I like to listen to female vocal, guitar, violin and saxophone. To keep the discussion focus, please limit to the options above.

Thanks in advance
gte357s

Showing 3 responses by zmanastronomy

I have an A318B and my friend had a Melody I2A3. We hooked my Almarro to his system and it was MUCH better. More bass control and 3-d imaging. We were both impressed.
To be fair to my friend, the I2A3 is a very good amp. The build quality and looks are top notch. It is a great sounding amp also. The difference was mostly in the bass area. The A318B is hard to beat in bass for a S.E.T..
Also, he listens at low level volumes at night while his family is sleeping. The volume attenuator was not sensitive enough for his listening style. The A318B has a linear volume that is much more sensitive to low volume listening. He no longer has the I2A3 amp. He went with a Ayon amp with remote control that is suited to his listening style. The Ayon amp is a very nice amp, but more money also.