Thank you! This forum is very helpful! Very knowledgeable people.
Preamp vs DAC vs Streamer
I am looking for advice on upgrading the 2.1 portion of my system. My budget is approximately $2,000, but would go 2-3x higher for the right preamp.
My current system:
Marantz 7015 (using pre out)
LSA Warp 1 amp
KEF R11’s
Rythmic F12SE
Pro-ject 1Xpression carbon classic with Hana ML
Rega Aria
Bluesound Node (Qobuz)
Schiit Modi Multibit 2
Marantz CD6007
I am relatively happy with my analog side, but vinyl is my primary listening and further improvement from a quality preamp would be good.
On the digital side, streaming is OK (i use Qobuz), but not as dynamic or clear as vinyl. CD's sound dull and lifeless. The node is connected to my MM2 DAC via USB, CD player to MM2 via Core Power digital coax.
Preamp: Must have subwoofer management, HT bypass & be less than 4.3” tall and 15.5” deep. A quality DAC, don’t need phono stage, don't want ADA conversion for analog.
Subwoofer mgt is key as my amp is a little underpowered for my KEF’s and requiring it to drive the KEF’s full range would be problematic.
Parasound P6 seems to be the only one I can find (at any price) that checks the boxes. Any others, regardless of price?
DAC: Chord Qutest or Schiit YGGDRASIL
Streamer: Open, but quality streamer/DAC combo
i feel like the best next investment is the preamp, but my local shop (Audio Advice) advises against Parasound… new management… going in wrong direction.. warranty service, etc. They have discontinued carrying the brand, and have no preamp solution that meet my requirements. They recommend the Chord Qutest over the Parasound P6 as my next investment.
Thoughts and/or recommendations. Thank you
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- 35 posts total
@signaforce, let us know what sonic changes you get. Would like to hear about the RP-1 in your set-up. Have dealt with Rogue and they've been very responsive and helpful. Enjoy! |
Thank you for the kind words. Congratulations on the RP-1. My experience with the NOS Mullards that I got from Kevin at Upscale ended up with an ear ache while they were transitioning to sweet sounding tubes. I got hiss from one channel and did not hear it until my ears hurt. Oddly, it was only on certain tracks for whatever reason. Upscale states on the box that they were burned in for 50 hours but expect at least the first 50 hours to be one where you should either listen to near mute levels or not at all. I had not experienced this type of fits of hiss and distortion from a tube before. I should also relay to you that during this time I switched out my silver interconnects (DAC to Preamp) to copper ones and the sound was immediately much better. May switch to silver again at some point but for now I feel no need to go back. The Mullards are the first valves that I have "heard" and I am smitten. The RP-1 is generally neutral, but the Mullards are not, and thus, the journey continues.. Let us know how it all works out with your new gear. |
- 35 posts total