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Best preamp for EAD DSP 9000 Pro DAC

Hi dear fellows.My system consists in a Krell kav 300 cd player,an ARC LS2BMK2 tube/ hybrid preamp and an ARC D200 amp.I recently bought an EAD DSP9000 PRO DAC ( which has also a preamp included)and I use my Krell cd player as transport.I´m very happy with the accurate timber of instruments,with the dark background of music and the quality of the EAD DSP 9000 PRo.Anyway when using this DAC as preamp too, I notice that the image restraines and there is no this soundstage I have when using my ARC LS2BMK2 tube/hibrid preamp without the EAD.The issue is that when using the EAD together with the ARC preamp I feel there is no sinergy so I am forced to choose between the accurate timber of music using EAD DAC as preamp too (without using the ARC preamp) and having a restrained image ¨OR¨ to choose using the ARC preamp whitout connecting the EAD DSp 9000 pro but in doing so I have this big soundstage and image but there is no this contour of instruments, details, accurate timber.So my question is.....Is there any preamp suitable for this DAC?Any experiences will be highly appreciated.Cheers.Raf
rafael0054
zd542
5,339 posts
 
I used to have one of those. Its not just about getting all the pieces connected, it still has to sound good when you are all through. Digital products that old, will suffer more from jitter because they were just learning about it, and it was a much bigger problem. That's the reason why the industry, at the time started to go from separates back to single box solutions. The way you have everything set up now, I can see why you are having the problem. If you don't want to sell anything, maybe try a reclocker between your transport and DAC. Given the age of the components, it should make a huge improvement.

Also, you can get a Wadia form much less than 7k. I have 2 of them. My 302 went for about 5k new, so you should be able to get one for around 3k. I also have a 861SE, but I still don't think I could get 7k for it. Maybe 5 or 6, but who knows.
rafael0054 OP
99 posts
 
Hi Zd542.Many thanks for the valuable info!!I think I´ll take into consideration buying a used Wadia in the future, but in the mean time I would like to solve the problem with the components I actually have....Do you think for instance connecting an Audio alchemy transsmision interface between the cd player and the DAc could solve the problem of jitter?? or it just another old stuff and may be there are better re-clockers in the market not so expensive??If you can recommend me some good re-clockers I´ll appreciate it.Thanks again!!Cheers.Raf.
lostbears's avatar
lostbears
538 posts
 

The LS2 mk2 was a good line stage back in it's day. I owned one in the mid 1990s. But preamps have come a long way in the last 20 years. Modern preamps are infinitely better, even a 10 year old preamp would be a huge improvement. Cd players are the same way. I would buy a modern CD player and tube preamp that work well together. Just because you can buy a piece at a fraction of it's original price does not mean that it is a good value.
zd542
5,339 posts
 
I may be able to give you some ideas, but can you list your entire system? Be sure to include cables, tweeks, power products, etc...
rafael0054 OP
99 posts
 
hi Zd542!Besides the components mentioned before, my sistem has PAD maximus xlr as interconnects,PAD Aqueous 20th anniversary biwire as speaker cable, PAD mueaus with Furutech Gold connectors, transparent ultra power bank conditionner and my speakers are Apogee Centaur ribbon.Cheers.Raf
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