Using Double Preamplification vs X10D V3

It sounds like there is something seriously wrong with your system and you're using a band-aid approach to treat the symptom rather than address the root cause. Just because it works doesn't mean it's right.

I believe there is more to this phenomenon than people realize (impedance/gain matching issues, and such). As Onhwy61 says, just because it works doesn't mean it's right. But on the other hand, since it works so well, it could very well be "right." We're talking about relatively subtle differences here, not huge glaring changes, so for Onhwy61 to suggest there must be something "seriously wrong" with our systems is sheer blatant hyperbole. So I must ask, why all the drama? Is this finding that upsetting?

I find a lot of closed-minded thinking in this hobby, and it's a shame. The simple fact is that the "purist" strategy does not always yield the best (or most musical) results.

It is not closed minded to reject schemes that fly in the face of basic engineering/system design. Ask yourself this question -- "Is your solution the simplest solution that addresses the problem?" With the extra interconnects, rack space requirements, power cords, issues involving gain and optimal signal to noise and potential circuit overload, I just don't imagine how you can answer "Yes". However, that could simple be because I lack imagination. But then again I've never read of a reviewer system, seen a manufacturer's display at a high end show, heard a demo at a dealer or seen such a system on Audiogon (until now) which features running one preamp into another. I'll grant you that you could just be at the leading edge, way ahead of the pack, but you could just as easily just be out there. Either way, it's all good, but common sense would say some ways are less good than others.

They make hybrid preamps--Curcico mods of dynas for example. If it takes two to do it, my bet is that somewhere there is one single preamp that will do the same thing as well, better, cheaper for sure.

"Just because it works doesn't mean it's right"

Incredible....a guy tweaks his sytem and gets the sound he likes, someone else comes along and says it might not be right because of the way it is put together.

There's more than one way to skin a cat.

I say if it sounds good to you, it's right....period.