2. amps-preamps
  3. 133463-71521

This is for Georgehifi especially but others can chime in.

I am buying Dynaudio C-1 Platinums and would like an ideal amp. Which would you choose? I prefer solid state. Separates or integrated. If you could recommend a few optimum choices that would be great. Based on my short couple years on here you strike me as very knowledgable on the subject. My dealer wants me on Pass Labs. Incidentally right now I have the Devialet 400 and I’m pretty sure you are not a fan of this type of amp. Any of your wisdom is appreciated. Thanks, Mike

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cleeds
5,961 posts
 
georgehifi
... let the source be heard for what it is, without any added colourations with a transparent passive preamp ...
As noted by @atmasphere  above, passive preamps commonly suffer from their own problems that can easily affect the sound, and in a negative way. It is simply mistaken to believe that an ostensibly simple passive preamp is less colored than a more complex active preamplifier.
bubba12's avatar
bubba12 OP
440 posts
 
I guess ‘the absolute sound’ is not my only goal. I want the music to sound good to my ears. If ‘coloration’ does that then so be it.  These ‘auditions’ you speak of don’t exist. At these audio stores they follow you around like you’re going to steal something. After five minutes if you don’tsay that you’re going to buy the speakers they get frustrated with you. I have met a dealer that works out of his home that is much cooler about it though.
wolf_garcia
6,711 posts
 
I don't pay the the big bucks to my preamp (which has a passive mode) to be passive. I want it to opine on everything I put through it. Besides, it cost nearly 700 clams (Schiit Freya). Actual clams…weirdly. Also…the "Absolute Sound" is up to you as your earballs are yours alone.
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georgehifi
10,312 posts
 
passive preamps commonly suffer from their own problems that can easily affect the sound,


Rarely, not commonly, around 10% of the time there can be mismatched impedance's when the source has tube output stage which is too high in output impedance, or it's output coupling cap is too small, which will  give a very high output impedance at low frequencies.

These types of sources direct, would be also mismatch into many Class-D amps as well, as many are 10-20kohms input impedance, just like a passive.

Cheers George 
dsremer
210 posts
 
bubba 12
I have the Pass XP12 running through a pair of AVM 3.2 Mono's (which are D class) I tried the Pass XA 25 with my Dyn C1 Plat.
They just like more power... I also use a comet dac with this set up
I am not pushing D class but it does work well with the system
I am sure there are a number of power amps that will do a nice job
good luck with your search
Dennis
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