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Melody SHW1688 anyone recommend it?

I'm looking for a good tube-preamp for two Nuforces 9 driving Apogee Duetta's Signatures. I want to put some musicality in the system as I feel with the Nuforces the system lacks in that departement. I've read some positive reviews of the Melody SHW1688 preamp and like the build of this product. However as it is a chinese brand I cannot audition it before buying so I would like some input from this auio society. Maybe other recommendations to put some sparkle into my sytem. I also thought about buying a DEQX unit also but I have the feel this wouldn't be what I'm looking for.
silversurfer17
vicks7
181 posts
 
I would recommend it - after taking great advice from a fellow Audiogoner I am using it with the Audiopax Model 88 monoblocks and it is a wonderful combination. Very musical pre-amp with great tone and impact and without sacrificing detail - I also auditioned an Audiopax Model 5 but preferred the Melody - Melody also has high and low gain options. Build quality also excellent. I do think you need to be careful though as it is not the best preamp for all amps - see the 6 Moons review.
sutts
668 posts
 
Excellent, excellent, excellent- it is my new preamp in my second system, build quality is superb, and very musical and full-bodied sound, yet with sufficient level of detail retrieval as well- the kind of preamp you can listen to all day...
stereo_phile's avatar
stereo_phile
32 posts
 
I just purchased Melody SHW1688 Signature to try in my system. It has balanced in and balanced out and according to 6moons review, it goes great with push/pull amps. MBL9007 dual mono transistor amps I am going to use it with has 2.0V input sensitivity so there should not be a gain problem. I will get it in 10 days so I'll post my impressions.

DEQX is definitely not the way to go. My friend has both DEQX PDC 2.6 and TACT 2.2XP which do similar room correction function. DEQX is really a computer and sounds horrible unless you remain completely in digital mode such as between transport and a good DAC. Same applies to TACT 2.2XP. If you are going to use DEQX or TACT's analog output, I would have it modified by mauimods or aberdeen group to replace cheap power supplies and parts that are used on these devices.

My next step is to get TACT 2.2XP fully modded but only use in digital domain initially and see how good Anthony's mod of the Dac section is. It could possible replace my Theta Digital Generation VIII if it is good enough. We'll see.

Got side tracked a little but hopefully Melody preamp will balance out the sound of my system with virtues of tube sound.
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