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Which has a greater effect on music,int.amp or CD?

Excluding speakers and IC's, which does for pairing purposes? For example, if I like warmer sound but with detail (like some rock), do I go with a warm, musical cd player or integrated? Both be too warm? I have been thinking about the following possible combos, any experience or thoughts:

Arcam Diva A75 Int. OR
Audio Refinement Complete Int.

with

Arcam CD72T CD OR
Audio Refinement Complete CD OR
Ah! Tjoeb 4000 CD

I have heard the Arcam's together, too dynamic for me. Will be hearing the ARC's this weekend in NY.

I was thinking the Arcam int. with the ARC CD or Ah!, OR
the ARC int. with the Arcam CD.

Speakers to follow. (PS, right now for speakers I have Sound Dynamics RTS-3's and Paradigm 5SEMK3 floors.)

Thnx.
mattybumpkin

Showing 1 response by joe_b

joe_b
421 posts
 
I am pressed for time so will have to make my comments brief.
I think both the cd player and amp will have equal influence on the sound, but the sound of each should be balanced for optimum voicing.
I am a former owner of an ARC Complete Int Amp.
If by "warmth"; you mean the natural reproduction of the timbre of instruments and voices (without some form of electronic glaze or haze), then I do not think the ARC will do it. You may disagree so by all means listen to one.
That said, I believe there are few ss amps, short of something esoteric and expensive like Rowland that will do what you wish.
I would strongly recommend that you at least listen to a tube amp before making your final decision. It doesn't have to be an expensive tube amp. If money is an issue and you still do not want to try tubes, I would suggest getting an NAD integrated amp and getting a better cd player and Harmonic Tech cables. The NAD won't be quite as transparent as the ARC, but I think it's tonal balance will be more to your liking.
Listen carefully and have some fun. This is supposed to be fun.
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