I agree, I had a McIntosh c15 which was decent but then I paired a McCormack RLD 1 with my McCormack DNA 125 and it was night and day.
Fast forward five years....I wanted to upgrade and couldn't decide where to start. I had used the DNA 125 with a few preamps and decided that it is a great amp and maybe the best improvement was a preamp upgrade. It is such a good amp that I think it would take a lot of $$$ to better it.
Don't get me wrong the RLD 1 is a very good pre but I took a chance and brought home a conrad-johnson Classic 2SE. I was giving up a lot, no remote volume or source selection, no balance (never used it) HT loop, etc. but at the end of the day sound quality is paramount. The c-j made such a pronounced improvement I ultimately upgraded my speakers and dac... I have never listened to so much music both old and new since getting that pre. It was the best purchase I've made in a long time. I am not listening to analyze or critique my system, I'm just enjoying the awesome sound and synergy these components have together.
Fast forward five years....I wanted to upgrade and couldn't decide where to start. I had used the DNA 125 with a few preamps and decided that it is a great amp and maybe the best improvement was a preamp upgrade. It is such a good amp that I think it would take a lot of $$$ to better it.
Don't get me wrong the RLD 1 is a very good pre but I took a chance and brought home a conrad-johnson Classic 2SE. I was giving up a lot, no remote volume or source selection, no balance (never used it) HT loop, etc. but at the end of the day sound quality is paramount. The c-j made such a pronounced improvement I ultimately upgraded my speakers and dac... I have never listened to so much music both old and new since getting that pre. It was the best purchase I've made in a long time. I am not listening to analyze or critique my system, I'm just enjoying the awesome sound and synergy these components have together.