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Marantz PM Ki Ruby and RME ADI 2 (Am I crazy?)

Hey guys,
My setup is node 2i > rme adi 2 dac > pm ki ruby > dynaudio special 40s.

All this while I’ve been using the RME as a dac and the marantz as pre and power.

while browsing some random stuff, I realised that the rme could also be used as a pre and the marantz just as a power amp. 

And of course, I tried.  But am I crazy to think that my system sounds better? The soundstage has widened , better imaging and overall improved sonics. Is this even possible or just my mind playing tricks? 
Please help, I’m losing it!! Lol
prashanth13485
gakerty's avatar
gakerty
175 posts
 
Sound quality of going direct definitely depends on the quality / type of preamp (as well as the output stage of the DAC).  When I go direct from my ADI-2 into my Stereo100 tube amp it doesn't sound as good as ADI-2 into my RP7 pre.  It's not a massive difference, but going direct into power amp sounds less full, is a bit "drier" and perhaps a touch rolled off.  Both sound pretty good though.  The ADI-2 is a fine DAC regardless.  
jasonbourne52's avatar
jasonbourne52
2,863 posts
 
Keep the Marantz as a power amp! It is high quality! Spending more on another amp will only yield a small difference at best! The power stage of the Marantz is already very transparent to the source - as you heard when you used the DAC direct.
prashanth13485 OP
51 posts
 
@gakerty well, it looks like your preamp is more expensive than my integrated and rme combined? So it better sound better.  Lol
prashanth13485 OP
51 posts
 
Thanks everyone!

@jason thank you. You’re right, based on other comments, I believe the marantz’s pre is not as good. So I will keep it as my power amp. I doubt anything in its price range can beat it.

so potentially I could upgrade by getting a dedicated pre amp or a better streamer or both.

will the lumin u1 mini be a substantial upgrade over the node 2i if I leave everything else as it is? If so, what sort of difference can I expect in sound? Soundstage, tonality, imaging, ? 
mofojo
2,174 posts
 
Assuming you can get the volume on the RME up to where you are not bit stripping it will be the least amount of any colorations possible. RME recommends running the DAC directly into power amp. 
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