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Preamp predicament

First, the system:
Arcam Alpha 9 integrated with add-in phono stage
NHT Super Zero speakers
Yamaha sub SW 120
Technics 1200 MK2 with fluid damper and Cardas arm rewire
AT 150 MLX
Sumiko headshell
Interconnects are whatever they are. I listen to rock mostly with a smattering of jazz and classical.

Second, the problem:
I don't much like the sound, but I can't put my finger on why. There's nothing particularly glaringly wrong with it, but it just doesn't make me want to throw around a bunch of audiophilic adjectives when describing it. And let it be understood that I'm not really an audiophile, I just want to listen to music reproduced in a way that... *takes me there*, for lack of a better description.

So, in looking for possible ways to improve things, I've started to focus on the Arcam's add-in phono stage. I've found next to nothing written about it, which means it must be pretty unremarkable. This has me thinking an upgrade in this department might pay dividends.

Looking at reviews, I've settled (today, for now) on the Cambridge 640p, more or less. My budget limit ~$300-ish. I'd like to buy new from a dealer that will let me return the unit if I find out it's not for me.

Other preamps that have tickled my fancy are ones from Bellari, Pro-Ject, Creek, Graham Slee and a handful of others, all of which have proponents and detractors. The more I read the less sure I seem to be.

Just curious, given my current system, if I can solicit some guidance regarding a preamp that just might uncork it.

Thanks.
ho72
ho72 OP
31 posts
 
Well, the NHTs pretty much have to stay. If they get replaced, it will have to be with something nearly identical in size.

As far as the sub, I admit its shortcomings freely (it was a gift, so I kept it). For $300, can I do significantly better?
loomisjohnson
1,944 posts
 
as an owner and big fan of the alpha 9, i concur with the change the speakers and sub posters. i really don't think your preamp is holding you back.
horseface's avatar
horseface
222 posts
 
I have to agree with the rest ... I just read the Steroephile review on the NHT Super Zero. For their size, they do very well but they are so tiny it's hard to find anything to compete. They pretty much have to run with a sub and I have had pretty good luck with the old school Yamaha YST line although NHT makes a sub that goes with the Super Zero's. If you could step up just a bit in size there are several monitors that I believe will fill out much better. I have had really good luck with the Paradigm Studio 20's .... the little Proac monitors are very nice and quite small but are probably out of your price range. Any chance you could spring for the Proacs and get them to fit? You will still need that sub but you might get them to blend a bit better with the Yamaha sub. The other monitor that just blew me away for rock music is the Dynaudio Audience 42's. The bass is unreal for such a small monitor, They image very well and really surprised me. Still a little out of your price range and might still be a bit large compared to the Super Zeros.

arni
313 posts
 
Has2be is right on. The Super Zeros have some nice qualities (I had them in the past, they are not bright), especially how they image and render the human voice. But they have no bass. I too believe your problem is the Yamaha sub, which is not able to integrate well with the quick midbass of the Super Zeros.
For $300 I would recommend looking into used HSU subs with the smaller drivers (ST 2), or better yet, Gallo subs that occasionally come up on the used market. There are, of course, many good choices out there that I'm omitting, but all things being equal, I would try to stick with smaller drivers 6 1/2 - 8 inch when matching subs with speakers that barely go below 100hz.
The second issue, and perhaps the larger one, is successfully integrating the sub with the speakers. Do a search, there are many threads on the issue here on Audiogon.
tfkaudio
591 posts
 
Is your vinyl playback experience disappointing compared to CD, or are both disappointing? If both are disappointing, I wouldn't be looking at the phono stage as a culprit.

Cheers.
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