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The best used preamp and d/a converter

My system consists of Revel's F-30 performa's and dual classe 100 amps, and a old Rotel Rsp960ax preamp and a denon cd player. I am definetly limited by the last two on that list and want to upgrade these components. I have been told the cp-50 or cp-60 would be a great preamp for my system and the theta IIIa converter with the data basic II transport would make a very nice system. I was just wondering what everyone else's thoughts are on this. Other recommenadtions would be helpfull. I am looking to spend about 1600 on the preamp, 900 d/a, and 450 on the transport. Any info would be appreciated. Thanks
matc
carl_eber
1,425 posts
 
The CD50 is indeed in your price range, so Fenix is less than accurate there. It'll blow away anything that doesn't upsample, guranteed.
mi3491
36 posts
 
It is all a matter of taste. I use a PS Audio UltraLink II and love it about $500.00 used, a Cal Delta transport, about $400.00 used, and a Melos Maestro tube preamp. There is a used one on this site for $1100.00. Other preamps beside the very good Morrisson http://www.surpher.com/MORRISON/ are some tube units. Zen preamp is very good http://www.decware.com/preamp.htm and also Wright preamp WLA12A http://www.wright-sound.com/ These three companies make excellant products and they do not cost over $1000.00.
1439bhr
85 posts
 
I don't know about "best", but I've been using a McCormack TLC-1 Deluxe line stage preamp for about 4 months and have been very happy with it; it's quiet and transparent (what more do you want from a preamp?). I also just added an Aragon D2A2 outboard D/A converter to my system and couldn't be more pleased. Aragon is well known for their amps, but their D/A converter is a well-hidden secret. The D2A2 is very smooth and liquid, it opened up the midrange on my system, smoothed out the high end, and brought the low end into better balance with the rest of the musical picture. It's brought great listening pleasure and I think it's worth a look. It's $999 list new, I picked one up used for $525.
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