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Help needed to make processor decision.

There are no dealers in my area that carry any of these processors:

Meridian 568
Classe SSP 75
Bryston SP-1
California Audio Labs CL 2500 SSP

I have read many good reviews about each but, since I can't audition any of them I need your help to decide which one would work best in my system. I am hoping to reduce the brightness I hear from the tweeters on my NHT 3.3s. Here are the components in my system to consider:

Classe 25 two channel amp (250 watts)
Wadia 20 CD transport
Wadia 25 DAC
NHT 3.3s
Cardas Golden Cross XLR Interconnect (DAC to Classe amp)
Cardas Golden Cross bi-wire speaker cable

I plan on removing the Wadia 25 DAC and routing the Wadia 20 CD transport to the new processor.
The video inputs on the Classe 75 would be nice but, not necessary.

Thanks for your input.
mnhgolf
beemer
444 posts
 
Ok, have you considered the new Anthem processor? Balanced outputs and inputs, seems to be reasonably priced. Cannot comment on the sound quality however.

Forgive me if I go out on a limb here, but I feel your brightness problem is coming from your Classe 25. That whole series had a glare in the top end. Before I started swapping in processors, my suggestion would be to try the Gamut D200 amplifier. I bet you would solve the "tweeter problem" in an instant. I've heard both your 25, and the Gamut, and the Gamut makes the 25 sound ill.

Good Luck!

beemer
mnhgolf OP
20 posts
 
Beemer,

You may very well be right about the Classe 25. Unfortunately, I will have to live with it for a while. That's why I'm hoping one of the processors will partially solve the problem. Isn't the Anthem a tube preamplifier made by Sonic Frontiers? Thanks for your help!

Mike
avguygeorge
2,300 posts
 
I belive the Anthem reference is the AVM2 / or the newer AVM20. Both of these are tuner/processors/ both have the 6 inputs for DVD-A-- and the 6 Balanced XLR's out,for analg,as well.
mnhgolf OP
20 posts
 
Avguygeorge,

I finally found them at Sonic Frontiers' web site. If the sound compares to some of the other units I am interested in,the AVM20 looks promising.

Thanks,

Mike
tburn
35 posts
 
Mike - perhaps you have already considered and rejected the Aragon Soundstage as a possibility, but if not, I would recommend it. I suggested this unit to a fella the other day who thought it too pricey, but there is one currently available here on AudiogoN at a very fair price (no, I have no connection to this party). I could be all wet behind the ears in my personal appreciation of this piece, and I would welcome any comments from the more experienced folks here to point out any shortcomings of the Soundstage. Aside from its rather utilitarian appearance, it offers all the features you are seeking, and provides (IMHO) excellent sound in both 2ch and HT mode. Just a thought...

Best regards,
Tom
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