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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
glennewdick's avatar
glennewdick
1,658 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
3,063 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
9,456 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
6,623 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. 
riccitone
229 posts
 
So many of these suggestions seem that they might hit home for you...

I’ve heard nothing but great things about the Adcom amps in a modded config. Some prefer to completely start from scratch, personally I’m into the additive/change a bit at a time philosophy. 

I’ve got a Schiit Uber 2 that sounds great. Can only imagine what the Multibit here on Agon would sound like! Pair that with a Saga or Freya and keep your Killin Adcom, good cables. I’ve considered that exact configuration for myself. The good thing about those preamps, they can opperate in active/passive/buffered modes so they’re flexible (not sure if they both go that far, but at least Teo out of three for the saga I think). You can tailor your sound depending on the recordings. 

Couldn’t go wrong with that?

Yep, I don’t know. I might buy that Multibit for myself! Jk ;)


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