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
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.
ozzy's avatar
ozzy
7,495 posts
 
I would lose the Richard Gray and Hydra 8 stuff completly.
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islandmandan
1,260 posts
 
Hello, just thought I'd throw my 2cents worth in. I have a very complicated system, with a mish-mash of components, home theater, multi-channel, integral separate 2 channel system with passive pre., solid state, and valve amps, along with an analog front-end as well. I have three different power treatment options, all in use, first in line is PS Audio Soloist in-wall unit, then a Furutech TP-80 passive unit, then a PS Audio P300 to control voltage to the VPI Scout motor. Phono pre, DAC, and Genesis Digital Time Lens are also plugged into the P300, as well as recently, a modded 10 watt Sophia Baby amp that runs hot as a small toaster oven, and sounds killer, too.

Bottom line, everthing sounds beautiful, no noise, ground loops, everything just as it should be. Maybe I'm lucky. Or it may be due to the separate 20 amp dedicated line to my system. I had my system running a long time just through the Furutech, with no noise problems at all.

You can gather what you will from this, but the Furutech, at a fraction of the price of all the most notable power conditioners, is all many of us need for power conditioning.
nsgarch's avatar
nsgarch
2,524 posts
 
I didn't want to say it before, and be accused of trashing Shunyata or RG, but I totally agree with Ozzy. Conditioners have their place; but as far as I'm concerned, they represent old technology; there are better types of devices for addressing dirty power these days.

I think it has pretty much become accepted by 'audio culture' that power conditioners negatively affect good amplifier dynamics because their filters and chokes limit fast power transfer. (So do undersized power cords.)

What is not well known, is that for the same reasons, they (conditioners) also limit DAC performance (or anything with digital processing onboard like a CD player). And as with amps, another important item to use with digital processing equipment is a power cord with at least 12AWG or larger conductors (shielded of course). Though not power hungry like amps, digital decoding/encoding also requires the fast power transfer afforded by big power cords. A fat cord will make your desktop PC go faster too ;--)
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cerrot's avatar
cerrot OP
1,700 posts
 
Thank you again, for all your input. I'm not looking to upgrade power conditioners right now. If I do, it would be an Audience (T). What I was trying to find out was if I could get the audio nirvana I am experiencing now with the Esoteric directly into the amp, by getting a new preamp. The reviews on the Puccini and the Berkely (2 of the best sounding digital) all say "...and you really have to try it direct into an amp". Trying to find out if that, indeed, is the best way to go or if a preamp (right now, for me, $6,000 budget) would get me there.

Not looking for new cables, power cords or power conditioners - just trying to figure out if I should get a preamp.

Thanks.
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