2. amps-preamps
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Pre-amp, integrated, new power amp...I'm confused

OK, after posting many threads and reading tons of old threads and reviews...I"m stumped. I have a NAD C370 integrated powering SOnus Faber COncerto's (Home Version), a Cambridge audio Azur 640C CD player going through a musical fidelity tube buffer(my one and only audio source), Cardas Cross IC's and speaker cables. A REL Stadium III handles the bottom end. I love my system, excepy for a little graininess in the top end. I would like to smooth out the sound and make it more liquid and natural. How do I best accomplish this? DO I invest in a whole new integrated? DO i Drive the power amp section of my NAD with a tube pre-amp? DO I invest in a better Source (New DAC or whole new player). I like the sound smoothe and natural...maybe a little warm (Which is why I chose SOnus speakers. I would like to spend no more than $1000. I saw a BAT VK-3i tube preamp available. Am I on the right track with that? Help!
phoenix469
s7horton
1,065 posts
 
Depends on how much you want to upgrade. If you have 1000 to spend, is that it, or will you have more in a couple months you can set aside? If that is the case, start with a pre amp or power amp now, knowing you will upgrade the other shortly.

If the 1000 is all you'll have for some time to devote to audio, refer back to your integrated amplifier thread you started and take some recommendations from there.
bwyoung
140 posts
 
Sell your integrated and buy a primaluna integrated. I think it has the sound you are describing. Well built too.
tvad
9,467 posts
 
It's unclear whether your source, NAD amplifier or both are the cause of the graininess. I suspect it's a bit of both.

I definitely wouldn't go the route of a new preamp. The Cambridge 640C is fairly well regarded. I like the recommendation of the Prologue 2 integrated amp. Perhaps a good plan would be to purchase a used Prologue 2, try it in your system and see if the change results in some improvement. If not, then sell the Prologue 2 and investigate a new CD player, but I have a hunch the Prologue 2 will be an improvement.
phoenix469 OP
44 posts
 
OK, i have decied to go the route of a new tube based preamp. That seems to make the most sense to me. I think the NAD amp section is good enough for now. I did some calculations and when I bought the NAD new, it was only $80 more than a matching NAD amp only. That probably means NAD only spent around $100 dollars on the line stage in the integrated. I don't need A phono section, because I am not going to be getting into vinyl anytime soon. I have my choices down to 3 preamps:

BAT vk3i
Rogue Magnum 99
Jolida Music Envoy preamp

Which do you people think would be a better performer?

Thanks in advance!
tvad
9,467 posts
 
With the preamp, you are adding an additional element into a system that already has grain according to you. It's not possible to eliminate grain by adding more electronics. You can eliminate grain by substituting electronics that have better power supplies than the components you presently own. In fact, since a preamp will likely be more resolving than the preamp section on your NAD, adding a preamp may highlight problems with grain from your Cambridge CD player and make your problem worse.

IMO, you're making a mistake with the preamp, but if you're going to buy one, then buy a used one and choose one that has strong re-sale value, because these are all starter preamps, and you're not going to have any of them long.

There's no clear path to success in this hobby, and part of the fun is the discovery. You're in for a really good time! :)
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