2. amps-preamps
  3. 1241027845

What's wrong? Nuforce/Capri no better than Sunfire

Preface: this is regarding 2 channel analogue SQ.
OK. I know it's very early in the comparison process, and I've "only" critically listened for 2-3 hours. But whereas listening to speakers has shown clear differences (to a point), and the move up the B&W ladder from 9NTs to N803s was SIGNIFICANT, I'm at a loss on the amp/preamp. The jump from my old $4k Pioneer flagship HT rcvr to the Sunfire TGA5200 was very significant. Less significant but noticeable was the jump from the Pio as preamp to the Sunfire TGP5 as pre. I then read a lot about how a good 2 channel pre would crush an HT pre/pro. So I got the Jeff Rowland Capri. Have listened for quite some time and struggled mightily to justify the Capri, but I just don't hear ANY major improvement. Maybe some VERY subtle things, but I can't even be sure of that. I also read that a good 2 channel amp would crush a multi-channel amp. So I just picked up the Nuforce ref 9SEv2, and I've gone back and forth with the TGA5200, unscientifically, but again, I don't hear any major difference, whether through the Capri or the Sunfire TGP5. Am I just missing "golden ears" and reached the audio equivalent of the Peter Principal" (rising to my level of incompetence)? Is the Sunfire stuff just that good? Is the old claim that all good amps/preamps should sound similar true? It just strikes me as odd that so many people on these audio boards hear huge differences and I don't. What's wrong?
jeffkad
markwatkiss
508 posts
 
You have not yet revealed how many hours of running time you have on the Capri and the NuForce.These pieces are like fine wine they take time.
jeffkad OP
211 posts
 
Both were purchased used, so I'm assuming (I know, a big assumption) that both were broken in already. I'm pretty sure the Nuforce was, as I bought it from a reviewer. I'm pretty sure, but not certain, that the Capri had been run in pretty good too. However, I'm sure I'm gonna get attacked by some now, but I just don't buy the 1000 hours of break-in stuff. To me, that very well may be when you've heard something long enough that you've become acclimated to it's sound, and now that's your new reference for good sound. It just drives me crazy when a reviewer or poster says a piece of equipment, a speaker, or a cable sounded like crap out of the box and 3000 hours later, it was like a revelation!!! Flame away, but I don't buy it. Regardless, I believe it's pretty much irrelevant as respects my Capri and Nuforce.
jeffkad OP
211 posts
 
For what it's worth, I have heard a difference in electronics before. I was at Harvey Sound in NY, and I listened to a nice pair of Vienna Acoustics spkrs, first with NAD M3, then with McIntosh MA6500. NAD wasOK but dull, while Mac had lively, toe tapping, draw-you-into-music sound. And, as I said in my initial post, the difference between my Pioneer vx49tsx $4,000 "flagship" receiver and the Sunfire amp was startling. THAT was an "AH HA" moment. Maybe there are no AH HA moments between good components above a certain threshold? I just don't believe that, and I just can't understand why I can't hear ANY difference. Anybody live in NYC/LI area and want to swap stuff?
markwatkiss
508 posts
 
No attack about break in time,just curious,no other reason.
yoby
539 posts
 
My experience has taught me that the NuForce 9SE V2 amps really like tube preamps.
More to discover