Ramses82
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- Apr 11, 2013
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Hi everyone.
I am currently using on my setup a pair of Focal 816 special edition with an upgraded NAD319 used as amplifier only and a M-DAC that is also working as a preamplifier.
The sound is good, but I've read on some reviews of the M-DAC that though it is a good DAC, it works better as DAC only bypassing the preamp and using an analog preamp.
Is that something that some of you have experienced as well? If I can improve I will...
With this in mind I've been looking for a decent stereo preamp, second hand, to pair with the system.
It obviously needs to be an upgrade compared to the M-DAC preamp...
The budget I had in mind was up to £500.
It would be good also if it had balanced inputs, 1 stereo input is enough, so I could use the balanced outputs of the M-DAC (if that gives any improvement).
I don't listen to vinyls, so the phono preamp quality is less important.
I like the sound stage to be open, the sound to show all the details.
I am not sure the ones I have seen so far would fit the requirements, but here is what I have seen. Please add your ideas or comment on the ones of the list:
Musical Fidelity X-P100 - not many reviews, it seems a decent little preamp. No balanced inputs, but if the preamp is decent it might not be a problem
Musical Fidelity A1 FBP - seems good from the reviews, it does have balanced inputs too. Quite bulky but I can live with that too. The problem people highlighted on this preamp is the digital volume control is quite "aggressive" and changes very fast... is it that bad? It is relatively easy to find it second hand in UK
Rotel RC-1082/1070 - it has apparently great reviews, not sure though if it is because reviews were made by fans or if they are good preamps. No balanced inputs, but if the preamp is good it is fine. Difficult to find second hand apparently
Adcom 750 - some good reviews, it has got the balanced input... but it is mainly present in US, not many in UK to get
Let see what we get now
I am currently using on my setup a pair of Focal 816 special edition with an upgraded NAD319 used as amplifier only and a M-DAC that is also working as a preamplifier.
The sound is good, but I've read on some reviews of the M-DAC that though it is a good DAC, it works better as DAC only bypassing the preamp and using an analog preamp.
Is that something that some of you have experienced as well? If I can improve I will...
With this in mind I've been looking for a decent stereo preamp, second hand, to pair with the system.
It obviously needs to be an upgrade compared to the M-DAC preamp...
The budget I had in mind was up to £500.
It would be good also if it had balanced inputs, 1 stereo input is enough, so I could use the balanced outputs of the M-DAC (if that gives any improvement).
I don't listen to vinyls, so the phono preamp quality is less important.
I like the sound stage to be open, the sound to show all the details.
I am not sure the ones I have seen so far would fit the requirements, but here is what I have seen. Please add your ideas or comment on the ones of the list:
Musical Fidelity X-P100 - not many reviews, it seems a decent little preamp. No balanced inputs, but if the preamp is decent it might not be a problem
Musical Fidelity A1 FBP - seems good from the reviews, it does have balanced inputs too. Quite bulky but I can live with that too. The problem people highlighted on this preamp is the digital volume control is quite "aggressive" and changes very fast... is it that bad? It is relatively easy to find it second hand in UK
Rotel RC-1082/1070 - it has apparently great reviews, not sure though if it is because reviews were made by fans or if they are good preamps. No balanced inputs, but if the preamp is good it is fine. Difficult to find second hand apparently
Adcom 750 - some good reviews, it has got the balanced input... but it is mainly present in US, not many in UK to get
Let see what we get now