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Tube preamp and McCormack DNA-500

Looking for a tube preamp to match and perform well w/ a McCormack DNA-500. Want to spend 1700, preferably less. Speakers: Ohm Walsh 5000 (4 ohm 82-87 db efficient). Listen primarily to classic jazz (hard bop). Emailed Steve McCormack about using a tube preamp with the DNA 500. He responded:
Most tube preamps will do a fine job with the DNA-500 - you just have to watch out for the few that won't. Check the output impedance spec of any preamp you are considering - lower is better, at least in this regard. As long as your preamp has an output impedance spec of 800 Ohms or less, you should be fine.

Looking for a tube preamp that does not roll off the highs, full sounding (not thin) in the mids; detailed presentaion is good, not rolled off in the low end; in other words I like low end extension and weight; Not looking for leanness or soft bass. I like transparency; complete and utter neutrality is not my priority as some gear seems to lean towards. Some tube sound is preferable but without a veil. Suggetions please? Thanks
foster_9
tvad
9,467 posts
 
IMO, the output of the Cary preamps is much too high to match well to the DNA-500's 10kohm input impedance. Rolled off base and/or highs would be the likely result.

John Atkinson writes in his Measurements section of the Feb. 2004 Stereophile review of the SLP-98, "...but [the output impedance] rose at 20Hz to 6.8k ohms, due to the limited size of the output coupling capacitors. This will prematurely and audibly roll off the bass with power amplifiers having an input impedance of much less than 20k ohms."

10kohms is even too low for the Lamm LL2 Deluxe, IMO, and the LL2 Deluxe is *right* in the wheelhouse of what Foster_9 describes as his desired sound and output configuration.
bnrlaw
130 posts
 
Just get a used Juicy Music Peach, set it to Low output impedance setting and you are done.
I have had both a Manley Shrimp and a Peach hooked up to a Gamut D200 solid state amp with a relatively low input impedance and the Peach won hands down. The Shrimp was lacking soul in comparison. It sounded nice and checked all the typical audiophile boxes but it just didn't have the flow and naturalness of the Peach.
Sold the Shrimp a long time ago. Still have the Peach.
foster_9 OP
1,610 posts
 
Tvad, thanks for the detailed posts and good looking out. The Lamm LL2 was off my list already because of results I saw posted by another DNA-500 user. As Steve said about preamp output impedance specs, "lower is better, at least in this regard."
tvad
9,467 posts
 
08-15-09: Bnrlaw
Just get a used Juicy Music Peach, set it to Low output impedance setting and you are done.

I made this suggestion earlier, and I agree. Foster_9 has said he needs two preamp outputs, but if he uses the ACI Speaker Level Converters to run his subs, he can use the Peach I and have everything he wants (plus save half his budget if he buys one used).
foster_9 OP
1,610 posts
 
Thanks everyone, and any more thoughts are welcome...
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