Some comments on your system: don't get rid of the Spica's, they have drawbacks but can really sing, esp. with the tube amp you have (I imagine). Replace the connectors and internal wire with cardas. I have a pair and got best results with Cardas Golden Hexlink 5 cables (used bought here for $300 or so). I had a Forte 2 preamp, and when I switched to a custom built passive from Savante Audio it made all the differnce.. I highly recommend passives, you will not want to go back to active unless it's a 4K or higher $$ klyne or something like FM acoustics. QED out of England made a $200 or less stock passive that would probably sound good, as the McCormack should too.
no-budget preamp?
Here's my situation: I just upgraded my CD player to a nice (albeit still low-end) Arcam. It sounds great when going straight into my tube power amp (a homebuilt job using mostly old Dynaco parts that has its own volume control) and my Spica TC-50 speakers. However, when I run it through the pre-amp section of my seven year old NAD receiver, the signal dirties up, I lose resolution, detail etc.
I want the convenience of the preamp for volume control, remote control, switching between sources, and the power amp does need a little gain on some cd's. But I've got literally no money. I know I have to spend something, but what's the cheapest option for a preamp that won't be a ruinously weak link in an otherwise pretty good sounding system?
I want the convenience of the preamp for volume control, remote control, switching between sources, and the power amp does need a little gain on some cd's. But I've got literally no money. I know I have to spend something, but what's the cheapest option for a preamp that won't be a ruinously weak link in an otherwise pretty good sounding system?
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- 7 posts total
- 7 posts total