2. amps-preamps
  3. 1263080308

Boy, do I need help

You can see my system posted. I have struggled for over a year with really hard edges on certain piano pieces (actually two specifics) on two CD's and it just told me I had problems. I took the CD's in question to my dealer, who has the same CD player, albeit different system (Ayre MXR/KXR, Dyn C4-I know-no comparison to what I have, but the discs--and the player were fine. I did EVERYTHING (PC, IC, isolation, line conditioners, racks--you name it--) and finally figured out my Esoteric just didn't like my preamp. I just hooked up the CD player to my amp directly (it has a volume control and remote) and problem solved-pure bliss. Here is my problem - CD player now on the floor on a butcher block (on cerapucs) in the middle of the room (actually in front of the amps-worried about housekeeper vacuming)and instead of having my Acaconda PC into my hydra, its into my Richard Gray (and still sounds awesome but expect would sound better into hydra). And, to hear my other sources (which sound great through the preamp) I need to reconnect cables. Would you suggest geting another hydra (I can get away with a '4') and a new three shelf rack (for amps & CD player) (please see photos of room) or shop for another preamp? I respect alot of you guys here, and you have helped me tremendously over the years.

Thanks,
128x128cerrot
blindjim
3,092 posts
 

have you tried using RCA instead of balanced on the CDP?

There would be less gain involved with RCA, and that might help out for now.
tabl10s's avatar
tabl10s
1,084 posts
 
You can do it yourself.
cerrot's avatar
cerrot OP
1,700 posts
 
Thanks, Blind Jim. The CD is sounding incredible into the amp directly so that may be a permanent solution-though switching cables to play different sources may not be what I want to do long term-still not sure, but CD's I dismissed as inferior recordings previously now sound superb.
I really don't want to go single ended. I don't have any more single ended inputs on my preamp and have a $2,500 balanced cable I don't want to give up. I know I can just unplug something just to try it, and do have the same cable in a single ended configuraton, but that would just be a band aid. Obviously a problem with the Esoteric/balanced preamp combo. I don't have a problem getting a new preamp and would go $6,000, if that sounds good. I will try my benchmark dac into the balanced inputs to see if its a balanced issue with preamp, just to try to make sense of it. I am aware that balanced out has a higher gain (usually 6db, or so). I can lower the level on my amps (from 0db to alot of db's) and that did not solve the problem.
stringreen's avatar
stringreen
6,475 posts
 
EEEGads...Try the system without the Richard Grey stuff. I have Ayre, and it just ruined the sound. I also believe that my system sounds so good because all my stuff is from one company....all designed by the same guy, with interaction problems taken care of at the factory. I found plugging dispirit excellent components into each other usually results in garbage sound. Also, 2500 dollar cable does not mean good sound. ..for the hell of it, get some Anti-Cables (return accepted if not liked), and hear if some of the magic returns.
cerrot's avatar
cerrot OP
1,700 posts
 
Thanks, Stingreen. The CD player/amps, preamp (were)plugged into a Shunyata Hydra, not the Richard Gray. The CD Player now plugged into a RG 1200 and does sound incredible. (I can't overstress "incredible" - sounds as good as my buddy's Puccini/Magico Minis-actually). I know price doesn't necessarilly mean good sound with cables or other-but I auditioned cables extensively and found the Tara Labs The One (throughout the enire system and speaker cables) were the best sound I could get for my budget, in my system. I believe in system synergy as well, but the Esoteric was definatley overmodulating the balanced in on the preamp. I did unplug everything from the preamp except CD player - and plugged everything into wall itself, and still had the same problem. (also tried Monster Sigma Retro balanced cables as they were the only ones I had, along with generic and Signal cables). I've now listened to the CD player into the amp for 10 hours now, since last night, and am amazed by the sound. I almost don't want to change anything but the convenience of a preamp is something to desire. I will listen to my turntable carefully after lunch (through preamp). If I feel the preamp is holding it back, then I have no choice.

Thank you very much for your input.
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