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Idiot trying to upgrade his system - likes the tube sound

I currently have a McIntosh C275 tube amp with Wilson WattPuppy 7 speakers, along with a MC22 preamp and redbook CD player. I don't like vinyl records (for the most part). I heard SACD's and DSD high resolution, so want to go with a better SACD / DAC combination. My local audio folks (Paragon in Ann Arbor, MI) are nice folks, but cater to the wealthy. I have $$$, having sold 2 of my biotech companies, but I am a careful person about spending money on audio. I am 62 and a professor at a medical school.

Sorry for the long intro- Here is my question: Should I trade in my Rotel (very nice) CD player and MC22 preamp - get the new Marantz SA-10 SACD player, but then what should I hook that into? A new 1100 McIntosh digital or analogue preamp? Should I buy a more powerful ampilifier then the MC275 (at 75 watts per channel)? Any advice out there - I woud be very grateful. Thank-you! 
gerryah930
chayro
1,801 posts
 
If you are shopping in the SA10 price range, I think you should get in touch with your local dealer and see what they suggest.  They may be able to assist you in changing a component to bring the system more in line with what you want to hear and it's not always what you think.  I recall being floored at the difference a preamp upgrade made during a dealer demo.  I was absolutely certain I needed to change the amplifier, but the dealer showed me that it was the preamp causing the sonic issues I was hearing.  He could have sold me either, so it made no difference to him. 
Anyway, that's what I would do.  
vegasears
922 posts
 
VTL amps and Esoteric for digital.  Both can be on the pricy side but quality and performance cost!
steakster
720 posts
 
If there’s no rush, I’d recommend going to a large audio show where you can hear many different systems.   Or see if there's an audio club in your area.  There are lots of choices out there. The final decision is very subjective to your ears.
tpreaves's avatar
tpreaves
2,515 posts
 
Consider a Marantz SA8005 with Modwright "Truth" modifications.

http://www.modwright.com/modifications/marantz-sa8005-truth-mod.php
sbank's avatar
sbank
2,038 posts
 
Are you willing to invest the time to rip your CDs from a computer to digital files? The best options are network attached storage drives that stream music to your DAC in the audio room. There are many threads here and at computeraudiophile that explain the most popular products that do so. 
IMHO, most are crazy to invest much in a disc spinner nowadays unless they have thousands of discs and refuse to rip them to get better sound quality. Cheers,
Spencer
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