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O.K. My system is VTL Deluxe Pre-amp driving a VTL Stereo 90. into JBL 4312. Both have been rebuilt.(amp and Pre) And sound better then before. However I always felt that the pre was the week link in my system. I tried a simple Volume control going from My Rega Jupiter CD into the VTL amp. I liked the sound. Better Bass and smoother highs but not enough gain. So in comes pre amp. #2 Audio Research SP-16. Lots of detail better Bass but a little bright . and Lots a dynamic Slam. In comes Pre-amp #3
I get a Nad c162 Pre amp and put it in my system to check it out. This is a List $600 pre.
Well shit! The Bass and up to lower mid range is Very Good!. Better then the VTL and Audio Research.
Not as much dynamic swing as the other two and the highs are veiled ( no detail ) No that’s not right, the highs are there but not as bright as the tubes (this I like) but the stuff that makes it sound live, the detail and harmonic structure that I love in tubes is not in the Nad. Now I/m thinking how can I get a pre that has the killer bass of the Nad and the upper sweet detail of the tubes? And dynamic range Any answers ?
Overall I like the Nad a lot because it gets the music right. But once you here what tubes can do, you get spoiled. So what to do?
Is there a pre that does both ?
Yea, Yea, you guys can stop laughing now. It there was ,everyone would own it!
I do like my speakers. And I like a up front beefy sound with lots of detail. Front row center sound NOT mid hall sound.
Or Should I sell everything and get a good integrated instead ?
Follow Ups:
Try looking into a hefty solid state amp or different speakers. I have heard the VTL and think it is quite nice but I think it pairs better with a solid state amp. I got the impression of a pretty neutral piece of equipment from the VTL. I could be wrong but I listened pretty intently to the point of almost buying one.
Bill
Could your bass problem be a function of the ported speakers and the output impedence of the Stereo 90? (Sorry - I don't know how high that is off hand.) Having lots of experience with the VTL Deluxe, I'm surprised at your bass comment - it's not something I've heard in my units or heard from anyone else.As for the NAD smoothing out the rough highs, that's not surprising, and again I'd suggest looking at something other than the preamp. 4312's just don't have the smoothest top end, and something in the reproducing chain that attenuates the highs a little might sound better.
Here's where I'm headed: you might be able to find other speakers with the characteristics you like (that up-front, in-your-face presentation) that are less flawed than the JBLs. Actually, lots of the super-efficient designs normally driven by SET amps do that, and some are pretty amazing.
The downside to that approach is that, despite the fact that the speakers and amps are **very** simple, the entry price seems to be very high. (It's like fly fishing gear, e.g. a reel with 1 moving part that costs $1,000...)
Good luck.
WW
Get a Placette and all your preamp dreams will come true. No kidding.
At $7000 !!! Yea Right !!!!
You may want to start out with the $1,000 passive unit.
Have U considered a TVC such as the Sonic Euphoria?It has all the attributes U are seeking and can even be ordered with increase voltage gain if needed.
I highly recommend it and one can even take it for a test drive for 30 days in their own system. If not satisfied, U pay return shipping and move on.
I've included SU's link if U care to peruse it.
Cheers,
~kenster
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