2. amps-preamps
  3. 1314243865

Diagnose the weak link.

I'm enjoying my Sony XA-5400ES CD player mated to my new Bryston 4B SST2 power amplifier & Thiel CS 3.6 loudspeakers. My preamplifier is a 25 year old NAD (#1130 I believe?). The sound is powerful with bass that needs tidying up. I plan to put the Thiels on Sound Anchors stands to try to focus the bass. Where I need help is with trying to separate out the layers of sound during loud, complex passages. Also vocals seem recessed and lyrics are hard to make out. The sound from this system is getting better (compared with my old system) but I really need some guidance to separate out the layers of sound and achieve the higher articulation this system should be capable of.
masi61
ncarv
974 posts
 
The NAD is definitely the weak link, IMHO. There's a VTL 2.5 line stage on e-bay right now that ends tomorrow (Friday) at 7:00 EST that I think would suit you. I once ran the Thiel 3.6's with a Levinson 27 amp and the VTL 2.5 pre and the Thiels sang pretty nicely.
stevecham
3,298 posts
 
I agree with Ncarv; time to upgrade your preamp. You might also consider a CJ pre.
masi61 OP
15 posts
 
Yeah, I kink of knew it must be the preamp but wasn't sure how significant the preamp was on the total sound. Right now, many rock CD's are just way oversaturated and only the quiet passages are listenable. I really like Smashing Pumpkins but the CD of there's that I got from the library was so distorted and tinny as to be unlistenable. The same for many, many CD's. I'll look into the VTL 2.5 on ebay, thanks, (& Conrad Johnson too - although I wish I could find a CJ in black that would match the look of the Bryston 4B. What is folks opinion of the Bryston BP 26 by the way?
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