I’ve had the PL Dial Prem HP, great piece but too hot for my non-AC place in CA. So I’ve gone Class D with the Bel Canto DAC/Pre 3.7 into the BC Ref600 monos.
BC made tube amps for 20 years, and started switching over to Class D in the 90s. The point is that they make Class D that sounds tube-like, with all the benefits of Class A/B. Clean and clear, musical, fast, detailed and textured, dynamic, etc. so consider that.
Also Freesole, and I’m sorry, you won’t like this, but if I was you, the first thing I would do is replace the OPPO. Oppos aren’t bad, I had one. They do A LOT OF functions- the jack of all trades, b ut in my opinion, the master of none. There are serious limitations to the OPPO, particularly power supplies and circuits.
Remember, the sound you hear will only be as good as your weakest link. And buying new Pre/amp is awesome, but that means your DAC will be your weakest link, and that is where the sound originates. Sound does NOT GET BETTER after it leaves your DAC, it only changes or gets worse.
Many folks rightly invest more into their DAC and Pre than their amp and speakers. Why? B/c you start with the cleanest and clearest signal possible from the beginning, rather than an inferior signal.
I just saw saw an OPPO 95 with the Modwright mods last weak for a paltry $1500. I would’ve bought it, but I have too much gear already. That is the one you want my friend. Perfect for you since I see you have anAnthem AVR and likely do HT. In the OPPO for sale, all the HT op-amps were replaced with discrete transistors. So it is not just a stereo mod.
First things first, invest in a proper DAC, then update the Pre/amp.
Best
BC made tube amps for 20 years, and started switching over to Class D in the 90s. The point is that they make Class D that sounds tube-like, with all the benefits of Class A/B. Clean and clear, musical, fast, detailed and textured, dynamic, etc. so consider that.
Also Freesole, and I’m sorry, you won’t like this, but if I was you, the first thing I would do is replace the OPPO. Oppos aren’t bad, I had one. They do A LOT OF functions- the jack of all trades, b ut in my opinion, the master of none. There are serious limitations to the OPPO, particularly power supplies and circuits.
Remember, the sound you hear will only be as good as your weakest link. And buying new Pre/amp is awesome, but that means your DAC will be your weakest link, and that is where the sound originates. Sound does NOT GET BETTER after it leaves your DAC, it only changes or gets worse.
Many folks rightly invest more into their DAC and Pre than their amp and speakers. Why? B/c you start with the cleanest and clearest signal possible from the beginning, rather than an inferior signal.
I just saw saw an OPPO 95 with the Modwright mods last weak for a paltry $1500. I would’ve bought it, but I have too much gear already. That is the one you want my friend. Perfect for you since I see you have anAnthem AVR and likely do HT. In the OPPO for sale, all the HT op-amps were replaced with discrete transistors. So it is not just a stereo mod.
First things first, invest in a proper DAC, then update the Pre/amp.
Best