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Pre-amp to combo with Mccormack DNA 0.5

Just bought the Mccormack DNA 0.5, after ALOT of research. Thank you all who helped me choose.
Anyway, my second step on the upgrade now will be to buy a pre-amplifier. I have some cheap options available, but I want something that will make me satisfied for years to come, so research, again is necessary.

My "easy" options are:

Mccormack TLC-1 ($500) - Same brand, some say it'd be a good match, some say it's passive and has got no personality. I heard it myself and liked it, but no pre-outs, meaning I'd not be able to plug my Rel Strata II subwoofer in it. No remote either.

Carver C-4000 ($200) - Legendary choice, don't know much about it, except it's a classic.

QED Vector Reference ($600) - Another passive unit, at least this one gives me a remote.

Basically I need something that will make my sound better, or at least not change it. And then some pre-outs would be good, Remote is a plus only. Price tag can't surpass $900, and territorial limitations should be respected, as I live in Brazil and cannot get certain brands.

Any of you has a suggestion?
jmabe
ptmconsulting
1,000 posts
 
I have a DNA .5 Deluxe that I recently modded to near rev A status.Definitely save up for the mods after you get your preamp. You'll never even think of upgrading again, unless of course you go for a whole different type of system - like a 3 watt triode amp.

As for preamps, I originally had a TLC-1 passive. It ruined me for life. There is damn few active linestages that have the transparency of a passive unit. Unfortunately, the passives lack dynamic impact. If you listen to any kind of rock or jazz or BIG classical, then I would suggest bypassing the passive route and going for an active unit.

The McCormack amps have a high input impediance for use with passives, so are also a good match for tubed linestages. After a lot of searching I finally found a unit that was almost as transparent as the TLC-1, and gave me much better dynamics (BTW - the mods to rev A also improved the dynamics greatly). You will definitely have trouble finding it anywhere though, those who buy one don't get rid of it often. It's an Audio Prism Mantissa preamp, now owned by Mark Levinson and sold under the Red Rose banner.

Now, if you don't go with a passive to begin with you may not have my problem with transparency. But if you do go passive first, don't say I didn't warn you.

Enjoy,
Bob
jmabe OP
34 posts
 
Thank you for warning me, I use mainly more agressive music, so I could have problems with the passive unit. WHat do you think of Mcintosh C36 or C40 instead?
jmabe OP
34 posts
 
I've got a chance to acquire either a Quad 99 pre-amp or the acclaimed Adcom GFP-750 instead. How do those sound?
davebachmann
94 posts
 
A comment on using a McIntosh with McCormack. I have a C38 pre mated to a DNA 1/B, and before that it was used with a DNA 0.5. While the sonics are solid - at least to my ears - there is an issue with gain. There are a very limited range of volume settings, at least with my speakers (ML SL3) and room. 8 o'clock is relatively soft, 9 is fairly loud, and 10 is beyond my comfort level. I use a universal remote and it's not always easy to adjust the volume up or down by just a little bit.
sfar's avatar
sfar
1,760 posts
 
Jmabe
Yes, I definitely use both the passive and buffered outputs of the TLC-1 simultaneously. The passive go to the DNA 0.5 and the buffered to the line-level inputs of an HSU sub. It's worked perfectly like that for more than a year. I'll check the manuals at home tonight but I don't recall any warnings about using both.
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