Ho72 , I think keeping the Zero,s is a good idea.. Try and get yourself a used NHT sub from the same line meant for use with them. You will really hear some of the great potential from such a small monitor . They do image well and voices are wonderfull with them. After reading this thread and posting to it earlier I brought my Zeros into the livingroom . I hooked up a set of Bryston Powerpack 120.s(3b monos basically) I used for hometheater a while back to my Cary SLP 98 pre and the zeros to the brystons. Played some Vynil and they sound amazing. I then used the bass drivers in my NHT 3.3,s biwired with the zeros to confirm how well they would sound with good musical bass. When the time comes to move into smaller digs I would have no qualms whatsoever of the Zeros with a used NHT Sub or some thing simular. I,m quite enjoying how well they do sound and hearing them again. Look at a sub then after you have a chance to hear how well they sound maybe later a graham slee phono section added to your aux, inputs and your good to enjoy with minimal cost. The Arcam is a nice piece and would cost you more than 300 to beat it. Cheers.
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.
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.
- ...
- 16 posts total
- 16 posts total