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Anybody tried EMM DCC2 into preamp?

I use an Esoteric DV-50 as CDP. I love the Atma-Sphere MP-1/MA 2.2 (mod) combination/synergy and would hate to give up the MP-1, but want the best possible digital source, which is clearly the EMM DCC2 (+ transport).
I know that this unit functions as a preamp too and could make my MP-1 redundant. Has anyone used the DCC2 with a high quality preamp, eg Atma-Sphere, Aesthetix, etc instead of just straight into the amp, which is obviously more logical? Is there any chance that the synergy of the Atma-Sphere preamp/amp will even improve the sound of the DCC2 (+ EMM transport)? Anybody done that yet?
springbok10
tahiti
2 posts
 
This issue kind of reminds me of the "surround sound" button on my Sony receiver. Activated you get the body, soundspace and weight. I personaly prefer the transparency rather than perhaps the added "coloration". As JJWA pointed out "....which is the true representation...."
gladstone
296 posts
 
The DCC2 is obviously very good--for solid-state. But it doesn't cut the mustard. You need a tubed preamp. Or, alternatively, a tubed amp--something I have not tried. But my results were the same as Springbok's--night and day, even with tubed amps that were not state of the art.
jjwa
69 posts
 
Gladstone, interesting suggestion. What is the sound effect of a TUBED AMP with solid state preamp compared to a TUBED PREAMP with solid state amp? or both tubed?
gladstone
296 posts
 
In this case, I don't know, though FMPND's use of the tubed Tenor amp suggests that the Meitner preamp can be improved upon even when used with a tubed amp. The biggest things I noticed with a tubed preamp were: greatly increased dynamics and slam, more bloom and body, much bigger soundstage, and more detail. The Meitner seems lean, and somewhat astringent in the treble region.
tahiti
2 posts
 
The pristine clarity and neutrality seems compromised with the use of an alternate (tubed) preamp IMS.
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