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And one thing leads to another...I've been pretty satisfied with my current system for a little bit now. It has sound characteristics I enjoy, and it fits the room pretty decently, even though the room isn't amazing. But like any audio nut with a modicum of self respect, I'm looking at what to do next. But this time it might be drastic.
Short version: I'm looking for one piece of kit to do it all, and do it well, and I'm skeptical it exists.
Here's the deal.
I have two sources: one is a nice Pro-ject turntable with an AT440MLa (I'm a fan of a very detailed, analytical sound, and the rest of my setup attenuates any exaggerated brightness - I'm well pleased), and the other is a solid if modest Keces DAC. My listening is about 80/20 toward the turntable. Phono stage is a Hagerman Cornet 2 with the Auricap upgrades commonly recommended, and some incrementally upgraded tubes I don't recall the specifics of. Both the DAC and the Cornet feed a TdP-built EAR 859 integrated amp, which is lovingly conveying 13 comely watts to each of a pair of super-efficient Tekton Pendragons. Cabling is all standard stuff. (I'm not going to wade into the debate; I'll just say that I haven't personally heard differences significant enough to justify lots of money, and I'm not a wealthy guy. This system is the result of lots of saving, lots of generosity by good friends, and lots of astonishing deals.)
So I should be happy, right? Well, here's how my thought process has gone, of late:
- Hmm, it sure would be nice to have an actual headphone amp instead of a Y from the Cornet's out that shreds my ears pushing straight line level sound...
- With speakers this efficient, I should be able to peel the paint off the walls every now and then when I get the opportunity, the house to myself, etc. But as sweet as my analog chain sounds, it's just a liiiiittle lean on the dynamics and punch compared with digital, and I know it's not entirely the source.
- My wife is awesome. And I love her. And she doesn't love the look of all the discrete components. And she's very accomodating and doesn't complain, but boy, I sure do love to make her happy. And if there's something out there that we'd both like...
(Reading in forums, sometimes I feel like the only audio enthusiast on earth who gives a crap about his wife... Just saying. :) )
So all that rambling for this: if I wanted an integrated amp that includes a killer phono stage, a quality headphone amp, and a truly competent onboard DAC, all pushing, say 40+ wpc - if, in an ideal world, it was tube-based and I could have each of these things at the same level of quality I currently have in discrete components - could I make it happen? Does such a thing exist? Am I insane? And a very important follow-up question: would the combined total resale on my components ($2500, conservatively, maybe more) pay for such a wonder?
I call on your expertise. Feedback of all types welcome.
Thanks!
Edits: 08/27/14 08/27/14 08/27/14 08/27/14Follow Ups:
Benchmark DAC-1 HDR (on closeout right now):
...running balanced outputs into:
8" woofer active studio monitors (ie. Yamaha HS8, Tannoy Reveal 802, JBL LSR308, etc.)
You like detail? You'll get detail!
Edits: 08/31/14 08/31/14 08/31/14 08/31/14 08/31/14
My opinion is that the system needs to fit the space. If you have room, separates are great. If not, then there is a problem ;-)[In audio, there seems to be a box for everything: But, WHY would one want so many boxes to begin with if it can be avoided?]
Edits: 08/31/14
Consider a Parasound P5. It has everything except the amp.
I was going to suggest the P5, but it is solid state rather than tubes. It seems to have everything you could possibly want including a phono stage and DAC.If I remember correctly, the reason they separated the power amplifier from the preamplifier was because of the heat produced by tube components as well as the magnetic fields of all the transformers in tube power amps.
Good luck,
John Elison
Edits: 08/27/14
I was going to mention the P5, as well, and since I own one, am semi-qualified to speak to its sonic virtues. Except for my UnUsed phono stage.
I believe my all-Parasound chain has plenty of detail and is NOT shrill or squeaky in the highs. But my speakers are very low sensitivity panels and I'm running a PAIR of the A-23 as biamp.
But I didn't want to come across as a nut or fanboy of the parasound stuff.
Can anyone suggest a good tube amp of 30 or so a side to go with the P5, for the OPs benefit?
Too much is never enough
I have been thinking how great front panel access to the sub mgmt controls would be.
Well, it has only rear access, I guess. I don't see this as a problem because once set, these controls should never require changing until you make a speaker change. The preamp has front panel tone controls for the purpose of adapting to different music equalization requirements.
Best regards,
John Elison
Yes and yes.
Bass management is ALL rear panel and quite flexible for all it does well. Once setup, you DO have the front panel sub level control which I've NEVER touched.
However, I have dialed in moderate BASS and TREBLE increase using the tone controls, for late-nite listening, as sort of a poor-mans 'loudness contour', an old-school control which has fallen out of fashion.
Too much is never enough
On the right side.
I was looking at the sub crossover frequency controls on the rear panel.
I have a sub in my system, but I never touch its volume control or its crossover point after initially setting them where I thought they sounded best. I adjusted sub volume so that a string bass sounded equally loud as it went up and down the scale.
Best regards,
John Elison
Rotel also makes a 'kitchen sink' preamp that's a grand, phono, dac, etc - the RC-1570.
I have a friend who's heard it and liked it.
Add an amp and you're done.
The Peachtree 220 (220wpc 8 ohms, 400wpc 4 ohms) is being blown out at $699-799. That and a nice pre would be a smoking system.
"The problem with quotes from the internet is that many of them are just made up."
-Abraham Lincoln
Call up Walter at Underwood hi-fi and have him get you a Peachtree integrated and a Graham Slee phono stage.
The Peachtree has a nice DAC and headphone amp.
Going to be hard to find a unit with a DAC AND a phono input. The Graham Slee is tiny, it will fit on top of the Peachtree. I have one, it's very good sounding as well.
The Peachtree's go from $999 to $1999 for the big'un.
"The problem with quotes from the internet is that many of them are just made up."
-Abraham Lincoln
I have one of the original Peachtree iDecco with an output power of probably a bit under 40wpc. They rate it 40wpc into 8 Ohms at a rather high 1% distortion. That's why I say it's probably more realistically a bit lower than that at lower distortion levels.
But to my point. Have you heard the older Class AB Peachtree integrated amps and compered them to the newer ones that went Class D? The iDecco that I have sounds very nice but it seems to be a little rolled off up top, which might be just what the doctor ordered for some folks. It does what it needs to do in our family room but I want to upgrade it someday and not break the bank.
I owned the Graham Slee Gold Era V MM phono and the factory built Hagerman Coronet "Silver" with some higher quality parts. I liked it a lot but I preferred the Graham Slee for it's resolution and improved bass dynamics. The only minor issues I had with the Graham Slee was the need for it's external power supply and SUT for MC cartriges... which also meant more cable clutter. Another excellent value in a phono is the PS Audio GCPH which handles MM & MC. I found it to be about 95% of what Graham Slee offered sonically but more versatile in a one-box solution for both MM & MC cartridges. It gets very little respect but I think it's great phono which can be found used in the $500 - $600 range.
I owned one of the AB Nova's for maybe three years. Liked it a lot, but everyone I know who's heard one likes the new class d amps more.
I bought one of the Peachtree 220 power amps on a whim (they're being blown out at half off) and really like it. A lot.
"The problem with quotes from the internet is that many of them are just made up."
-Abraham Lincoln
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