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Promitheus Ref TVC and RWA Sig 30.2 Power Amp

Hi All,
The itch to upgrade is getting stronger day-by-day and I think I should start by asking this wonderful community, certain questions that I have no idea about.
I do not plan to upgrade everything at once - as budgets do not permit. I currently have the NAD C352 integrated and want to start with the Promitheus Reference TVC preamp. I will use my NAD as a power amp for now. When budgets permit, I plan to get the Red Wine Audio Sig 30.2 Power Amp. This is based purely on the reviews from many people online and also 6moons and other online sites. I am not sure if this amp will be good enough to drive my Quad 21L.

The questions are:
Will the Promitheus and RWA work fine with my Quad 21L speakers?
What should be my expectations after I replace the current preamp section in the NAD with Promitheus Ref TVC? Will the sound step-up be huge or slight?
Is this the right approach, or should I just upgrade to a better integrated amp (like Primare, Creek, Musical Fidelity, etc)?

Thanks much.
milpai
milpai's avatar
milpai OP
1,341 posts
 
Dave,
Thanks for your response. How does the Bent Audio TVC compare to the Promitheus? I have heard good things about Pomitheus. That was the reason I thought I could replace the NAD's built in pre-amp section with it and then eventually use it with RWA's power amp. I also hear from online forums that RWA power amp is better than the integrated. This was another reason I decided with the Promitheus. I appreciate your response and will look forward to some more before I decide.

Regards
dspringham
23 posts
 
I've never heard the Prom but I'm sure that the Bent is comparable if not even better (as far as features go). The Red Wine integrated and the power amp are virtually the same except for the Goldpoint attenuator (also input Z - 20K for the integrated versus 100k for the power amp).
The sound of the power amp version will be greatly influenced by the sonic signature of the preamp preceding it. The TVC's are very transparent and neutral, however the Sig 30.2 integrated is just nicely flavoured as it is.

In my case, the only reason I would consider going with the power amp version is to precede it with Vinnie's Isabella preamp.

Once again I say just go with the integrated version.

Dave
mrjstark
1,112 posts
 
Buy used RWA integrated.
If you need more gain - TVC or CIA passive will do.
ngjockey
1,042 posts
 
The source(s) is/are more critical to a TVC, or any passive, than the amp.
milpai's avatar
milpai OP
1,341 posts
 
Dave,
I get your point. But I will have to wait for at least a year to get the RWA, since budgets are routed elsewhere currently.

Mrjstark,
Yes, I m looking at the used market too. Can you please throw some light on the "more gain" part. When it comes to "tech" terminology in the audio world...I m a noob. My concern is I will be going down from 80W/ch to 30W/ch. So will the sound (music) detiorate if I use the RWA 30.2 with the Quad 21L I own? I am really very happy with my Quads and have no intentions to change the speakers. If the RWAs cannot handle the Quads, then I will look at some other amp/preamp combination.

Ngjockey,
My source is the Marantz SA8260 that I am pretty happy with and do not intend to change it in the near future (unless it gives up). Occasionally I will also use an Oppo 970 player.

Thank you guys for your responses.
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