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Graduating to separates need help

Graduating to separates need help
I currently have a Marantz SR 18 receiver  that was feeding and Adcom GFA 555 that has been modified. my SR 18 had a memory issue and the local shop messed up the micro processor and I can’t set my speakers to large now in the menu
I also have a Denon AVR 5600 receiver which I’m using now and there is no comparison in the sound the Marantz destroys the Denon

I don’t know enough about preamplifiers to buy a good used one I need something with good DAC  
the DAC chips in the Marantz sounded phenomenal. should I just buy another SR 18 and feed it to a better amplifier or should I jump to a parasound preamp P6 and buy a better amplifier I was looking at some Bryston amplifiers which I really like but my budget is not big I want to keep my budget around 2000.  I don’t mind used.  I just want better sound than the sr18 adcom setup.  Any suggestions 
rab0829
gregdude
222 posts
 
Yes toslink tops out at 24/96 usually. Digital coax or usb is typically better. 
glennewdick's avatar
glennewdick
1,737 posts
 
I’m with the guys suggesting a good integrated. and with or without the DAC, really DAC’s are going to be old faster then the integrated amp or amp-preamp. good quality integrated will last decades.

But you could put together a nice new system with the Schitt Audio Fraya or Saga preamp, Vidar Amp ( maybe 2 for mono’s), then one of their DAC’s like the Bifrost multibit that would put you right at $2k. could sub out the Bifrost multibit for the reg Bifrost and use the extra cash for cables. that would give you a very good system and flexibility, even a taste of tubes or not (switchable) with the Fraya
https://www.schiit.com/products

that actually looks really good. mmmm skip the integrated ;-)


glen
mrdecibel
3,067 posts
 
spelled Freya. What were the mods done on the Adcom GFA 555, if you know ? I still feel it might hold it's own with some other things mentioned. Enjoy ! MrD.
soix
9,974 posts
 
DACs look good but only pass 96/24 on toslink input?

Why in the world would you even use the toslink input?  Just use SPDIF. 

big_greg
6,704 posts
 
I would suggest looking at the Peachtree Nova 300 or one of the similar offerings from Marantz, Yamaha, Rogue Audio, etc. You should be able to find a nice integrated within your budget that will sound much better than your 17 year old Marantz. I mention the Peachtree because it has a very good DAC and home theater bypass. 
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