2. amps-preamps
  3. 1440359669

Would adding a pre back into the system eliminate

some extreme glare?
I recently switched from a tube pre to just using a Bel Canto 2.5 straight to the amp. It has more detail but is very revealing as far as terrible sounding cd's. I have also lost the robustness that it had. I have to turn it up quite a ways to get on top but by that time it is too loud. I think I am going to need another pre to take care of that. I still have some mid range glare though that is excruciating. Mostly voices. I am including a list of my setup. I don't know if it is my speaker cables, or lack of pre. I should have good sound with the BC 2.5 and amp I think, but with out purchasing individual components and seeing I don't know. I would appreciate any thoughts. Normal living room, carpet, drapes, pictures, etc.
McCormack UDP-1 love it, plays dvd audio and good cd's with excellent sound.
Silnote Poseidon Sig digital to BC 2.5 huge upgrade from what I had
Harmonic Tech Magic Link II xlr to amp maybe even more so than above
PBN Custom amp dual mono 160w/ch class A/B
DH Labs Silver Sonic Q 10 speaker cables
NHT 3.3 speakers.... plenty capable,they sound great.
jerryaudio
georgehifi's avatar
georgehifi
10,312 posts
 

He doesn't have a passive anywhere, his Belcanto 2.5 dac has a fix or variable 100ohm RCA or 200ohms XLR output impedances.
But his Belcanto 2.5 dac does have "24Bit Volume Control"

Cheers George
cal3713's avatar
cal3713
1,421 posts
 
I don't really understand why Cdrc would go out of his way to attack a designer/company who believes in pre-amps while suggesting to add one back in, but so be it... as others have pointed out, he is correct that the only real option is to start swapping out components/cables and see what happens.

I have not tried them, but a common recommendation when dealing with cables is to try the Cable Company since they have used wires and will give you a nice home trial (http://www.thecableco.com/).

Good luck,
Chris
jerryaudio OP
6 posts
 
Thanks for all the input. I believe that what I have now is revealing a) a weak link or b)may be that the thinness from just a dac may be causing the amp to strain at the higher volume required to get some sort of body into the music. I hope anyway. I hope the addition of another preamp will provide the substance I'm missing. I'll see soon.
charles1dad's avatar
charles1dad
10,250 posts
 
Jerryaudio,
What you describe is the fundamental crux(dilemma) of this recurrent topic.
The fullness, substance, body, dynamics and tonal density (flesh on the
bone) aspects that many listeners cite with the addition of an active
preamp.

Either you'll view it as simply added coloration and not true to the source.
Or
You will view its addition as vital music information that completes the
sonic signal otherwise missing without the active preamp.
That's your individual call to make.
As this and previous threads have demonstrated, there are passionate
advocates on both sides.
Charles,
roxy54's avatar
roxy54
7,979 posts
 
Cdrc,
Your puns are really tired.
More to discover