2. amps-preamps
  3. 174801-97135

Bought powerful/expensive Amp+Speakers but plan to use an old preamp , am I crazy?

Please hear me out.

I got back into the hi-fi game after a hiatus and chanced upon some gear I have always wanted, for a great price, so I jumped on it... which resulted in no budget left for a pre-amp!

Purchased gear, yet to arrive:
Amp: McIntosh MC-452
Speakers: Paradigm Persona 3F

Sources that I already own:
Analog: Linn Sondek LP12
Digital : Oppo UDP203 / Bluenode 2i

 

I have an old NAD-1155 Pre-Amp lying around that i simply love!! It has one of the best phono stages I have come across among all the pre-amps I’ve owned. So I’m hoping I can use the NAD as an interim arrangement, before I can save up for a better pre-amp.

My question is rather simplistic, would the NAD cause any problems when paired with the Big MAC, in terms of compatibility and/or sonic abilities?

Besides it being a dirt cheap component (relatively speaking), nothing tells me it can’t be used, but I need someone to chime in and tell me I’m not being too naive or optimistic!

 

Edit: Link to the Preamp - https://www.hifiengine.com/manual_library/nad/1155.shtml

 

bugsnest
jim5559
604 posts
 

Mac is tuned for Mac, if you listen to rock makes little  or no difference.

If jazz a bit , classical a lot .

jcder
28 posts
 

You are not crazy.   That's a good preamp.   Of course, a side by side listen is always best.

jrbirdman333
105 posts
 

Yes you are crazy. We are all crazy. The world is crazy. That said, do what makes you happy even if your old preamp will hold back your new rig. 

baylinor's avatar
baylinor
1,238 posts
 

Unfortunately the preamp is really the brain of the system and impossible to dismiss. So much so that I just forked out for a PS Audio BHK preamp. Should get it mid week 🙂

tunehead's avatar
tunehead
151 posts
 

I’d go so far as to say, hell, your gonna love it. You already "love" the phono stage and the unit it self is pretty decent. With the upgrades that you will be using, your gonna be happy. Maybe even VERY happy. I hope so. And this leads into the upgrade path you should be taking, which is, don’t stretch you budget to include everything if you don’t have to. Instead focus most of the budget on one or two great components (then start the saving process over again for next upgrades). By doing so, you get slower upgrading, but to much better equipment. And when done in say 5 to 8 years,,,, KILLER SYSTEM.

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