What needs to go?

Hiflyer

I would add a dedicated two channel pre, the B&K is only fair-poor as a two channel pre in my opinion. I had to do the same thing with my setup. First I had a passive pre between my pre-pro and amp with great results..but, a speaker change led to the need for an active pre so now I have a tube pre in that slot. All is well again!

Dave

Sogood51,

How do you like your AudioPrism Mantissa? The only tubed pre's that I have owned are Audible Illusions L1 and Melos Sha Gold.

Would probably want to spend about 1K for a preamp that I can use with my system.

Hiflyer, although I've never listened to the Ref. 30 pre/pro, I've read several reviews on this unit and all were negative when it came to sonics. Therefore, it should go. I've been using a Primare P30 pre/pro off and on over the last few years and it can hold it's own with any solid state preamp I've listened to, demo'ed, or owned from $8500 down. It's an excellent 2-channel preamplifier that retails for around $3700.

In addition, you've replaced an excellent Clayton amplifier with a Bob Carver Sunfire amp. At least one or more of the Claytons ranks among the very best solid state amps. The Sunfire amps never do.

I hate to say it, but t would almost seem as though you're moving in the wrong direction.

I don't know what you mean by a highly modified CD unit. But there are certainly some excellent alternatives out there if this one is not sufficient.

Lastly, I've not heard of 'MAS' cables. Perhaps, you might consider auditioning (before buying) some other cables. I've thoroughly enjoyed the Audience AU24 speaker cables and interconnects and you should notice that some others around here have as well.

I would focus on putting together the finest 2- or 2.1- channel system you can mustar.

If you focus your attention and your monies on vibration control(coupling or decoupling) i.e. racking systems, points, etc.room acoustics, line conditioners, dedicated lines, etc., for a 2 channel system, you should notice that if it sounds wonderful for music, the exact same system can and most likely will sound just as wonderful for movies.

-IMO

Hello,

I use the B&K 50 in my HT system and it does mighty well. It does not have the magical 3-dimensioanlity of my BAT 31SE, but then again, what SS preamp does? The 50 is not at all fatiguing, but has a subtractive nature to it which is very clear compared to using truly high end line stages. But it is NOT an additive product which would bring on brightness and fatigue. So the 30 I suspect is not the reason for system fatigue. But a more refined 2-channel line stage would no doubt bring on a greater musicality.

I agree that for a system to handle music and movies, the focus should be all about music. If you really get it right for music, the movies reproduction will naturally fall right into place. The only exception I find here is optimizing speakers for each application but some out there work so incredibly well for both. Then add the preamp / processor, additional amps and speakers when good deals on such products come along.

It appears that CD is your primary source of music. I have to believe that adding a more refined redbook CD player or transport/dac would be as big an improvement as a 2-channel line stage.

John