2. amps-preamps
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HELP WITH A PREAMP DECISION

Sometimes one just needs to make an upgrade for reasons that are purely emotional. The system is Krell 402e, Veloce LS-1, Esoteric K-01, Revel Salon2, Stealth Indra IC cables, Siltech LS-100 speaker cables.

Just lately for no apparent reason the system sounds a bit harder than it used to. I believe that one's perception of a system changes over time.

I am considering exploring either new or different tubes for the Veloce. But would anyone care to recommend a new preamp for me. Before the Veloce I had a BAT Rex pre and it sounded great, but the Veloce sounded better after a long term audition period of several weeks.

But I am up for a change. . . .recommendations most appreciated.
huntermusic
timrhu
2,779 posts
 
Just the other day my system sounded off. The word "hardening" hadn't occurred to me but seems apt, especially on female vocals.
I reduced the toe-in on my Revel M20s by only a few degrees and everything snapped into focus. Smooth vocals back again.
whart's avatar
whart
3,103 posts
 
Hunter: out of curiosity, do you have the original Veloce, or the later so-called "Lithio" model? I had both in my system, and the later version is dramatically better in every respect. It replaced a Lamm L2 Reference line stage, and I am still using the Veloce. I am running real DR tubes in it (not so easy to find, they are counterfeited with abandon). It works well in my system, with my ears. (Not meant to shill for Veloce).
Hope you sort it out.
bill hart
cerrot's avatar
cerrot
1,700 posts
 
another vote for new batteries (first). and I would only consider batter operated preamps after having one.
runnin
397 posts
 
I googled the cables and it seems that the speaker cables are getting older. Just a thought, but perhaps a pair of cables for the speakers is in order. If nothing else, it would provide one with a different flavor just by swapping them in now and then. I'd suggest Cardas or Kimber, something with warmer attributes. It's fun to experiment and listen to the results.
phd
1,326 posts
 
Timrhu, I thought that toe-in is a big no,no. You might want to consider not doing that at all. But I could see how angling the speakers more towards the listener would create a much brighter/harder sound.

Huntermusic, maybe the components are sounding harder because they are breaking in? Or that you are leaving them powered up longer. I noticed that when I leave my system on overnight before a listening session it transforms itself. This could be for the better or worse.
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