Toss out a problem like this and get a myriad of ideas! Thanks.
I've now done are couple of things. First, I got ahold of a two of pairs of Brimar CV4003 tubes, one pair being the highly regarded 13D5 version, and placed them in the four key 12AU7 locations. That's done wonders in terms of cutting the cool edge and enhancing the quality of sound all around.
The second thing I did was consider getting another, somewhat better preamp in a similar price range to the used PL. It's something I would have done from the beginning had I been aware of the options. Specifically, I looked most closely at the well-regarded Don Sachs 6SN7 and the Supratek Chardonnay (Australia), which is designed around the same tube. After asking for advice at What's Best forum, doing a lot of reading, exchanging PM's and asking questions of the developers -- both are one man operations -- I decided on the Supratek. Among the reasons that most favored it for me is that it is explicitly advertised as naturally warm, and that it has true balanced outputs, which should solve the noise problem with the Lampi dac (when it comes back). I don't think the Sachs' unbalanced pre would have done that, and he seemed inclined to agree. I should be seeing it in two to three months. In the meantime, the PL has taken a very nice turn.
@Dsper The Oppo's analog board was removed, so it's no longer a dac, if that's what you are referring to. Ric improved the digital circuitry, which is almost identical to the 205's, replaced the power supply, better stabilized the disc player and got rid of the optical port, which he said undermined the unit's sound. In addition, between Oppo and dac are a PAD Neptune spdif cable and an iFi spdif iPurifier, the latter powered by a Paul Hynes SR4 LPS with a Zenwave Audio copper (5V) power line. The Oppo also has the advantage of allowing very good audio and video in one unit, which these days is an exception.
I've now done are couple of things. First, I got ahold of a two of pairs of Brimar CV4003 tubes, one pair being the highly regarded 13D5 version, and placed them in the four key 12AU7 locations. That's done wonders in terms of cutting the cool edge and enhancing the quality of sound all around.
The second thing I did was consider getting another, somewhat better preamp in a similar price range to the used PL. It's something I would have done from the beginning had I been aware of the options. Specifically, I looked most closely at the well-regarded Don Sachs 6SN7 and the Supratek Chardonnay (Australia), which is designed around the same tube. After asking for advice at What's Best forum, doing a lot of reading, exchanging PM's and asking questions of the developers -- both are one man operations -- I decided on the Supratek. Among the reasons that most favored it for me is that it is explicitly advertised as naturally warm, and that it has true balanced outputs, which should solve the noise problem with the Lampi dac (when it comes back). I don't think the Sachs' unbalanced pre would have done that, and he seemed inclined to agree. I should be seeing it in two to three months. In the meantime, the PL has taken a very nice turn.
@Dsper The Oppo's analog board was removed, so it's no longer a dac, if that's what you are referring to. Ric improved the digital circuitry, which is almost identical to the 205's, replaced the power supply, better stabilized the disc player and got rid of the optical port, which he said undermined the unit's sound. In addition, between Oppo and dac are a PAD Neptune spdif cable and an iFi spdif iPurifier, the latter powered by a Paul Hynes SR4 LPS with a Zenwave Audio copper (5V) power line. The Oppo also has the advantage of allowing very good audio and video in one unit, which these days is an exception.