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Ideal Preamp for McCormack DNA225/Paradigm 100 V.2

I am in the process of buying a McCormack DNA-225 power amp to use with my Adcom GFP-750 preamp and Paradigm Reference Studio/100 version 2 loudspeakers.This preamp worries me.I use the active mode and it sounds slightly edgy and aggressive.Would you recommend keep using the Adcom GFP-750 preamp with the McCormack/Paradigm combo, or would you recommend another preamp in the same price range [used] such as the Parasound PLD 2000,Musical Fidelity, McCormack RLD-1,etc.,etc.?
daltonlanny
swampwalker's avatar
swampwalker
5,138 posts
 
Give us some idea of how much you want to spend, new or used, remote or no, etc.
ptmconsulting
1,000 posts
 
Definitely consider one of 2 options:

(1) a good passive pre (McCormack's were made for this)
(2) a tubed pre (high input impediance on these amps makes this a good match)

There's a tradeoff either way though:

Passive's, as a rule, don't have the dynamics that an active pre brings to the party. So if you're into chamber music or soft jazz, OK. If you're a rocker or into big scale classical, then not so good.

It's very hard to find any active preamp that is as transparent as a passive (for somewhat reasonable $$$). So if you go with the passive first you might have to spend a good amount of money to find an active preamp that sounds as pure as ANY passive.

Enjoy the search,
Bob
winoguy17
1,176 posts
 
Im using a Rogue 99 with a McCormack 225 and i feel its a great combo.
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