2. amps-preamps
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ProAc budget level S.S. or Digital amp synergy?

Just assembling this system, into which I would like to interject tubes by way of the preamp stage with my foreplay II (Mullards,BugleBoys), yet achieve the drive and articulate bass charecteristics afforded with S.S, on a tight budjet...

Would some kind A'goners make recomendations of likely suspects, knowing the preferances of these speakers and your experiences with their presentation, which might meet my criteria ?

I realize that recomendations are always asking posters to go out on a limb, so to speak, as I have much more experience with headphones and their amplifiers and make recomendation myself over on Head-Fi...

And yes, I have researched and read what little there is on the subject, although without the inclusion of this specific criteria set. On a budjet, with a tube pre and of the S.S. design hopefully to be bought used here!

Room is 20X16X9 hight...

~Garcia/Dylan/Lightfoot/Taylor/Merchant/John/Hynde/Waits/VanMorrison/Knopfler~

TIA for sharing.

Regards,
finthen
mcrheist
130 posts
 
A while back, I heard a pair of ProAc 2.5s driven by Ayre gear and the sound was exceptional. I had personal success driving a pair of ProAc Tablette 50 Sigs as well as a pair ProAc D15s with a simple Ayre integrated. I would not classify the Ayre gear as laid back, at all.
jw94055
125 posts
 
Don't be afraid. I have a tube pre and was using an original Son of Ampzilla. I bought a Tripath based power amp off E-bay. I have no plans to replace it. A tube pre, with a "class d"power amp (to me) is a very good combination.
finthen OP
12 posts
 
Sincere thanks for the constructive responses within the criteria mentioned, which will help in my search looking forward as I upgrade the initial pairing I've decided upon, Bryston 60W/Foreplay II Pre/Corda Opera DAC [Operas DAC being slightly warm with slightly polite HF energy, though airy and fully extended, as evidenced by my referance AKG-701s & even the oftentimes troublesome HF energy(in other systems) of my DT-990s].

Although this initial entry level upstream components chain could and will be improved upon, I have great hopes for it to provide a utilitarian,pleasing reproduction system coupled to the 2.5s, configured in a nearfield configuration, "Within Budget Restraints" at this time!

Again, further insights by owners of the ProAc 2.5 for future guidence are highly appreciated here...

Thanks
cdc
1,685 posts
 
Hi Efner, this was ~6 years ago but I read measurements as well as other people's listening experiences re. the 2.5 tweeter. I was also looking into the DIY version and they also referenced the tweeter problem.
Can't document any of this so take it FWIW.
efner
99 posts
 
Hi CDC,
The proac'like good electronics and can sound pretty bad with some lower end gear.I can understand how some folks may think they sound bright with the wrong front end.
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