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What preamp with McCormack DNA-125?

I upgraded my speakers then realized the preamp lent a bad sound artifact so upgraded that then realized the amp was now the weak link so upgraded that. Now I'm back to the preamp as the weak link. I have a McCormack DNA-125 amp. The Acurus RL-11 is a great preamp but I think it is not doing what it could with this amp. It doesn't sound as fast as it did with the Adcom amp.
What preamp are you running with your McCormack amp? Source is Rega Planet 2000 cd player and Speakers are Revel M-20's.
sherman1125
sfar's avatar
sfar
1,756 posts
 
If the RLD-1 is out of your price range you should consider the McCormack TLC-1. They are quite easy to find used and about half the price of an RLD-1. It's a very highly regarded pre-amp that's a natural match for the McCormack amps.
jim
418 posts
 
I found the Audible Illusions Mod3, and especially the Mod3a, to be very synergistic with my old DNA1 Deluxe. This held true both pre and post Steve's revisons (to Rev A Gold). This is not meant as a shot, but almost anything will sound better than the Acurus pre-amp in your system.
belfran's avatar
belfran
22 posts
 
Forget about remote volume control; forget about tubes; Get yourself an used TLC-1 ( grey faceplate ) for $350 and you will never regret. The TLC-1 is made to match with the DNA series power amplifiers. Use the money that you save on your up-stream components.

Regards,
Paul
shersta
140 posts
 
I've got a DNA .5 Deluxe. I use a Conrad Johnson 10al to feed Vandy 2CEs. Sources include a Cambridge D500SE CDP and Rega P3 (w/ Monolithic phone pre). I like this combo a lot, especially on the digital side where the tubes have worked magic.
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