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TRL Dude Dilemna

Based on all the high praise for the TRL Dude preamp here and other sites, I took a chance and bought one from a local A-goner to see if it could displace an Air Tight ATC-2 preamp currently in my system. The two amps I currently use are a McIntosh MC-402 and Viva 845 SET Monos. It turns out that the Dude is not compatible with either amps due to an impedance mismatch. So I only got to hear the Dude in a compromised performance mode.
I was not quite wanting to give up on the Dude yet given everyone else's enthusiasm about its performance. I am considering the Samson monos as a natural match. I can convince myself that the Samson's could be better than the MC402..My real issue is that I would have to give up the Vivas. Not sure I can make the leap that a solid state amp will satisfy me as much as those SET Vivas. Then there is the leap of faith that I cannot hear the Samsons with purchasing them....
Has anyone replaced their SET amp with Samsons and remained satisfied with the decision? My speakers are the Green Mountain Audio Continuum 3 which are about 90db efficient with an impedance 6.5 Ohms, +/- 0.75 Ohms 150Hz to 20kHz. Thanks for your input..
tellefsen
agear
1,362 posts
 
Based on his speakers, TRL tube amplification would be my choice. As for accuracy, that is a loaded term, and one that is not always synonymous with SETs. This is honestly a matter of taste at this point. Audio cooking....ciao.
charles1dad's avatar
charles1dad
10,250 posts
 
Hi Agear,
I understand Jwm`s point, that Viva amp can sound very clear,open and transparent without overt coloration. No amplifier type can lay claim to more accuracy than another. Transistors, tubes(PP or SET) Class D etc.all have various degrees of some coloration.

For me it`s impossible to talk about an amp`s performance without factoring in the given speaker with it(can`t seperate the two). The TRL 'could' sound overly warm with one speaker yet near perfect with another, system context is everything.
booboobaer's avatar
booboobaer
62 posts
 
I agree with the last two comments. That being said, I have a Dude fully balanced tube preamp. It replaced a VERY musical BAT VK51SE.The BAT was fast,transparent,with a very wide sound stage. It was coupled with Krell 650 monoblocks. The Dude was super quiet,dynamic,and made the music just a blast to listen to. It was not long till I realized that the Krells were holding me back. I bought the TRL GT200s. A match made in heaven. I do believe Paul can change the output impeedance to better match you current amp set up!
agear
1,362 posts
 
Charles, I agree. The system matching game is where real skill (and time) is needed. That is what makes the Coincident/Audionote/Shindo whole system approach so appealing.

As I stated above, I know someone who owns my speakers and adores the Viva gear.

I agree Doug. Have Paul adjust the Dude's output impedance!
tellefsen OP
73 posts
 
Wow...thanks for all the good comments. In my fairly tale ending...I find some way to make the Dude and Viva's happy together by getting Paul to adjust the output impedance and then also get a pair of Samsons to replace the MC402......
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