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Want to improve sound of Silverline Prelude II

I have the Silverline Prelude II's which are the revised version of Alan Yun's original design. I currently drive them with a Creek Classic SE5250 integrated amp (85RMS)Speaker cables are 12ft runs of Analysis Plus Oval 12; My CD is a Sonographe SD-1(20 years old CD player modified and marketed by Conrad Johnson") Interconnect is an Audio Magic Spellcaster II. Overall, the sound is clean, dynamic but somewhat bright and forward, and often digital sounding.(I currently have no turntable, but will be getting back into vinyl soon)..... I am sure some of this is the Sonographe CD player which has been flawless and provides very good sound. However, I like to take a shot at improving the overall sound, that is, making them more coherent sounding top to bottom, and a more natural presentation without making it sound like a British monitor. I have considered the following equipment moves: Rega Apollo CD and/or new speaker cable. A member recommended JPS speaker cable. I have read that a tube integrated or separates are possibly more compatible with the Preludes, but the Creek(so far) provides great low level detail and depth of staging, though lack the slam, and upper harmonics of my old setup of Aragon amp and CJ preamp. I realize the solution might be to just buy a better speaker. Previously, I had Vandersteen IC's. a good speaker for the money, and have considered the 2CE Signatures, but they might be too big for my 15x22 living room; All comments and opinions welcomed,especially from Prelude II owners. Thanks, Jim
sunnyjim
sunnyjim OP
927 posts
 
Tvad, Thanks for the technical info about RMS power and speaker impedance. I like the Creek, though I think it lacks the resolving power of the separates I owned for 20 years before downsizing. Though, I am not quite ready to part with this integrated amp; though, I am open to suggestion about alternatives to the Creek. I have considered the Vincent separates which received good to very good reviews; but, I am trying to avoid big box components. Speaker-wise, I have always been impressed with the Totem Hawks, but they are too expensive even used, and I think they require more power than the Creek can comfortably deliver. The Preludes are above average speakers but not keepers like the Sonata III. Thanks again Jim
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plato
1,543 posts
 
I own the Prelude II's and they are totally kicking butt in my system.

As I see it you have two areas for improvement. As I recall, the AM Spellcaster cables were very bright and not well-balanced in my system when I tried them. I would try some different interconnects for sure.

I'd also consider getting rid of the Creek. It may be detailed and clear, but I'm sure it's far from harmonically natural and pure.

My room is smaller than yours at 11 x 14, but I've had very gratifying results driving the Preludes with an Antique Sound Labs 1003DT amp, and even better results with the PrimaLuna Dialogue Two. The Dialogue Two really gets it done and can play the Preludes surprisingly loud without losing its composure. If you have a turntable, I'd definitely spring for the MM phono stage. It's fantabulous and then some.

I was using a Kavent A210 integreated hybrid amp for a while with pretty good results (similar to the Vincent) but I like the ASL amp a bit better and the PrimaLuna a lot better.

I've tried the Preludes with solid-state, tube/MOSFET hybrid, and tube amplification and I have to admit that they really strutt their stuff with a good tube amp. Don't forget to try different interconnects!!!
david12
1,454 posts
 
Tvad's comment is very useful, I must say I have never taken much notice of whether an amp doubles output into halved impedence. I could'nt see it had much relevence. When you think about it, it must cause variations in volume, prominence, across the frequency spectrum, when impedence varies. You pick up something every day.
mriguy
2 posts
 
Greetings... I use a pair of Silverline Preludes IIs, just as yours. I have been in hifi heaven since I auditioned (for the total cost of $1) a NuForce IA-7 V2 integrated amplifier. I use DH labs interconnects and speaker cable. The A/D converter is an Apogee Mini-Dac, using its balanced outputs converted to single-ended RCA by an Jensen IsoMax. The Apogee is driven by a cheap DVD player or by iTunes, using AppleLossless encoding. You gotta hear it to believe it! It really is that good. This is the first time I've ever been totally happy with my system in 25 years of trying... 'nuff said :-)

Check out the audition program on the NuForce website. For the cost of $1, they pay the shipping both ways, even if you don't purchase the amplifier.
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