2. amps-preamps
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What is my next step to a better sound ?

I am looking for educated opinions from audiophiles that have owned are listened to systems similar to mine.

I have a Mark Levinson no.380 preamp and a ML no.334 amp with Watt Puppy 5.1 speakers,serie 7 tweeters.Arcam Rdac with Teddy Pardo power supply.Transparent plus cables and MIT shotgun xlr interconnects.

I really am not sure what component i need to change to step up the ladder towards a better HIFI sound.

Preamp ? Ml 380 S ? 326 S ? or maybe another make ?

I was suggested to change my preamp for a SPECTRAL 15

My transport is a 250$ Sony bluray player ,i dont believe that buying anything more expensive will hep with the sound ,its going through DAC anyway,correct me if you think im wrong.

I listen to Bluaudio and SACD SHM.
128x128nicsaudio
rrog
1,958 posts
 
Do not change your preamp for a Spectral. Besides creating a mismatch if you ever need service on the Spectral you will have to deal with Spectral and to me it's not worth it.

You need to upgrade your CD player. To match your system you could consider a Mark Levinson or Audio Research CD player. Either one will breathe some life into your system.
4est
507 posts
 
IMO transports are as important as DACs, maybe more so.
charles1dad's avatar
charles1dad
10,250 posts
 
I agree with 4est, the transport quality is absolutely crucial if you want good /improved digital sound. The belief that" any old transport will do" as long as the DAC is good is`nt supported by reality.
rockitman's avatar
rockitman
417 posts
 
Your pre-amp is definately not the problem. I use a 380S with Watt/Puppy 8's and Pass Labs XA-100.5 amps. Your digital source is probably the problem. If you want a great balanced sounding system for digital for a resonable cost, PS Audio Perfect Wav Trans and DAC is the way to go ($6K). Very little listening fatigue...sounds smooth and detailed.

If you really want to hear the ultimate potential of your system, buy an analog front end (turntable).
knghifi
1,668 posts
 
IMO, transport is NOT important. I've migrated to a computer wireless based system for years and no looking back. Yes it sounds different with transports but definitely NOT better. As long as the buffer in the DAC is large enough, it should not matter.
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