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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
grannyring's avatar
grannyring
6,530 posts
 
One more thing I really need to add. Paul has a great ear and uses coupling caps in the Dude that are neutral sounding and of high quality. Understand I am a budding DIY guy and have modified amps, speakers etc... I enjoy it and am learning. Paul knows more about sound and electronics in one hair on his head then I do.

I rolled a bunch coupling caps in the Dude and the Duelund Alexander caps are the only ones i liked better then Paul's stock caps. This is my preference folks. I do believe they improved the sound in all the ways I mention. In my system, room, and my ears.
agear
1,362 posts
 
Dude fan mail aside, the OP's central issue is how to find the right amp (with SET-like attributes) that will mate with the Dude. Tellefsen, what about the Dude's performance seemed subpar?

Tthean has used the Dude with a 8W SET and horns and was pleased with the results, but the impedance specs are???

Tuongsy, aren't you (and Gallantdiva) in Dallas like Tellefsen? He needs to hear the Dude with TRL tube amps. That will aid his decision-making regarding the Dude....
jwm
918 posts
 
I am so happy that my preamp is direct coupled with transformers, so I don't have to worry about capacitors in the signal path. I, however have know doubt that the Duelund's are the best caps going right now.
grannyring's avatar
grannyring
6,530 posts
 
Direct coupled with transformers is one way to go, but according to the builder of the Dude it has sonic disadvantages - and certainly in his design. Most amps have ample input impedance and only a few can cause some rolling off at the extremes. A Dude owner has his Dude mated with a Pass Labs 350.5 and loves the combo. That amp has an input impedance of 25k ohms I believe.

One can never underestimate the power of system matching regardless of how the piece was designed.
charles1dad's avatar
charles1dad
10,250 posts
 
I think any appraoch at some level has"sonic disadvantages" as nothing is ever the 'perfect' solution. My linestage uses an interstage transformer(rather than signal path coupling capacitors) same as Jwm`s VAC Signature MK II and I can attest to the profound transparent sound of both of them. But as always there`s more than one way to skin a cat.
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