2. home-theater
  3. 1012714071

Help needed to make processor decision.

There are no dealers in my area that carry any of these processors:

Meridian 568
Classe SSP 75
Bryston SP-1
California Audio Labs CL 2500 SSP

I have read many good reviews about each but, since I can't audition any of them I need your help to decide which one would work best in my system. I am hoping to reduce the brightness I hear from the tweeters on my NHT 3.3s. Here are the components in my system to consider:

Classe 25 two channel amp (250 watts)
Wadia 20 CD transport
Wadia 25 DAC
NHT 3.3s
Cardas Golden Cross XLR Interconnect (DAC to Classe amp)
Cardas Golden Cross bi-wire speaker cable

I plan on removing the Wadia 25 DAC and routing the Wadia 20 CD transport to the new processor.
The video inputs on the Classe 75 would be nice but, not necessary.

Thanks for your input.
mnhgolf
mnhgolf OP
20 posts
 
Bishopwill,

It wasn't so much a request to solve the problem as it was a request for help in picking a processor that would help the most in making the problem less noticeable. I purchased all the equipment in 1995. I listened to numerous speakers and amps in the $3,000 to $5,000 range and liked the NHT/Classe sound the best. With most CDs the sound is very smooth but, with a few CDs the upper ranges are sometimes a little forward. Definitely not fatiguing to me though.

Mike
mnhgolf OP
20 posts
 
Bishopwill,

It wasn't really a request to solve the problem. It was a request for advice on which processor might help the problem the most. I auditioned numerous speakers and liked the NHTs with the Classe amp better than any others I heard at that price point back in 1995. Most CDs do not sound bright but, some are a little forward. Posted below are some of the responses I have received from dealers.

Mike
rap
58 posts
 
Mike,
Casa Nova Specifications

Conversion: A/D Conversion: 20-bit Delta-Sigma; D/A Conversion: 96kHz, 24 bit

from the Theta web site.

The Casanova has 24bit/96khz DACS.
The A to D converters are 20bit. This is typical for most all processors. A/D's are used to take analog input, convert to digital, process the signal and then D to A back out. Note, the Casanova does not process the volume controls in the digital domain, strictly analog volume control. Digital volume control can affect the signal. Check the other guys on this.
mnhgolf OP
20 posts
 
Thanks for all the help you guys have given me on this. I purchased an Aragon Sounstage and am debating on purchasing an Accuphase CD player vs a tube preamp.
flavioleoni
36 posts
 
Mnhgolf,
Did you buy the new Stage One 7.1 Channel Pre/Pro? Does it have balanced outupts? How does it sounds?
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