Oldie72
Novice Member
Really in need of some alternative views if possible please guys..
System:
Vandersteen Model 2 speakers
MF Studio T power amp - upgraded a few years ago.
MDAC+ Tidal over USB, and a CD player over digi coax feed this.
I'm generally pleased with the way this sounds - if anything it's lacking a bit of life and sparkle. I prefer the sound of the cheapish Yamaha CD player over the USB from the laptop.
But - my turntable is feeding my Cambridge AV receiver (351R - hifi oriented more than most) through an MF X-LP phono stage.
The Cambridge isn't awful - but I'm missing out on having a decent pre-amp in the chain, and there's no pre-outs on the AVR, so I can't use the power amp.
QED speaker switch lets me change between the MDAC and the AVR.
So...I'd like to sort things out for vinyl by introducing a pre-amp. On the list: Exposure 3010 / Exposure 5010 - love the exposure sound and I think that'll bring the life into the system. Naim looks like it's inconvenient due to the connections, but that would bring some life into the system too.
Questions:
Even if I fix the output on the MDAC+ - I'm essentially introducing 2 pre-amps to the digital chain because the MDAC. Can this really be a good thing?
ShouId I be considering Linn? I have no experience and obviously listening is a pain - and I'll be looking second hand.
Also - Audiolab pre-amps come up frequently (I obviously wonder why?) and wonder if they'll actually give me that extra life in the system I'm looking for?
Is it possible to buy a "musical / hifi " streamer without a DAC - thereby avoiding the laptop and hopefully getting a decent remote control capability (I'm not about to pay for Roon)
FYI - turntable is Debut 3...and I'd like to upgrade it - but would rather get the amplification sorted first.
Any views / alternative options really appreciated. Unfortunately I don't have two rooms and can't run two systems!
System:
Vandersteen Model 2 speakers
MF Studio T power amp - upgraded a few years ago.
MDAC+ Tidal over USB, and a CD player over digi coax feed this.
I'm generally pleased with the way this sounds - if anything it's lacking a bit of life and sparkle. I prefer the sound of the cheapish Yamaha CD player over the USB from the laptop.
But - my turntable is feeding my Cambridge AV receiver (351R - hifi oriented more than most) through an MF X-LP phono stage.
The Cambridge isn't awful - but I'm missing out on having a decent pre-amp in the chain, and there's no pre-outs on the AVR, so I can't use the power amp.
QED speaker switch lets me change between the MDAC and the AVR.
So...I'd like to sort things out for vinyl by introducing a pre-amp. On the list: Exposure 3010 / Exposure 5010 - love the exposure sound and I think that'll bring the life into the system. Naim looks like it's inconvenient due to the connections, but that would bring some life into the system too.
Questions:
Even if I fix the output on the MDAC+ - I'm essentially introducing 2 pre-amps to the digital chain because the MDAC. Can this really be a good thing?
ShouId I be considering Linn? I have no experience and obviously listening is a pain - and I'll be looking second hand.
Also - Audiolab pre-amps come up frequently (I obviously wonder why?) and wonder if they'll actually give me that extra life in the system I'm looking for?
Is it possible to buy a "musical / hifi " streamer without a DAC - thereby avoiding the laptop and hopefully getting a decent remote control capability (I'm not about to pay for Roon)
FYI - turntable is Debut 3...and I'd like to upgrade it - but would rather get the amplification sorted first.
Any views / alternative options really appreciated. Unfortunately I don't have two rooms and can't run two systems!