[JoeW]

Hello everyone. I don't post here extremely often but I am at a crossroads of sorts and would like a bit of your expert assistance.

I sold my system less than a year ago due to a new addition to my family but I am now almost ready to rebuild my 2 channel setup.

I am going to have close to $3k for a CDP/2ch amp/stereo preamp setup. I'm thinking my CDP might be the new Rega Apollo unless someone has a better idea. So, based on that CDP here are the choices I'm thinking of (in no particular order):

1)McCormack DNA-1 (either stock, deluxe or Rev B depending on availability and prices at the time) and the RLD-1 preamp. I previously owned this combo (stock DNA-1) and it was great with the modded Jolida CDP.

2)Rotel RB1080 amp and RC1090 preamp. A little easier on the wallet possibly. I've heard the amps are good but I have seen zero reviews on that particular preamp. It's not even on Rotel's site as a current item.

3)Stratos Amp and Tempest preamp. I previously owned a Stratos but the system was not in synergy at the time. I had an Arcam Alpha 9 CDP and a pre/pro that made the whole system very tiring to listen to so I sold the whole system and rebuilt with McCormack/Jolida.

I am driving Paradigm Studio 60v2s. Nothing fancy but they have been good to me at my budget. I'd like at least 150wpc on the amp. The preamp doesn't necessarily have to have remote but it would be a nice bonus. Same with phono. It must have a way to pass through a signal from my Receiver to the mains. I don't care if it's a dedicated HT passthrough or something where I have to set the volume level manually.

Any help that the great people of AudioCircle could offer would be very welcome.

Any other combo ideas? Parasound etc etc?

Thanks in advance.

Joe W.

[TheChairGuy]

I see you have all solid state preamp choices....you may be heading down the same path (synergy, tiring, strident, etc) as before with that as your pre-amplification choice.

Tho I like so many things about SS pre-amps, the only way to grind out those tiring listening sessions has been with a tube preamp.  I think almost every one of them I've ever heard is unduly colored, but it's presence helps me listen to the music.  My listening room doubles as my office - where I spend 8-10 hours daily with music on in the background (many days).  No SS preamp has survived that test.

I'd suggest the Odyssey and the new Candela (tube) preamp (I think it's line only now - but it seems you are not concerned with phono).  Call 'Santa' Klaus and I think he'll put a rip roaring deal on a set that will save you a wad from your original $3K limit. You could do Khartago Extreme Mono's and the Candela for the $3K and you'll be driving those Pardigm's with style (and a 100 amps and over 150 watts).

I beleive Audio by van Alstine hifi offers 10% off for multiple equipment purchases and can probably put a pretty fine amplification combo together for the same, as well.  The key to both companies excellent offerings is good engineering and that you are buying direct from maker....cutting out 40-50% dealer mark-up.

I own the Khartago Extreme and it is paired with a Dynaco PAS-4 tube preamp.  Good luck, Joe   

[srb]

You could do Khartago Extreme Mono's and the Candela for the $3K and you'll be driving those Pardigm's with style (and a 100 amps and over 150 watts).

Joe W's $3Kbudget includes a CD Player.  That would leave the 2/ch amp/stereo preamp budget closer to $2K.

I am going to have close to $3k for a CDP/2ch amp/stereo preamp setup. I'm thinking my CDP might be the new Rega Apollo unless someone has a better idea.

[JoeW]

I was pretty happy with the Jolida JD100 CDP, RLD-1 Pre and DNA-1 amp. All was right with the world. But that is long gone and I'm looking for another system. I have heard great things about the Rega Apollo and its supposed tube-like sound (the Jolida was tube/ss). So I think the fatigue might be a non issue with the Rega just as it was a non issue with the Jolida.

I'd prefer SS for the Pre and Amp. Just wondering what you guys may recommend within those confines. Maybe a Rotel 1072 CDP might be a consideration as well to save some money?

Flood me with ideas!

 

[mca]

I see a great deal on a Stratos Extreme in the trading post right now. A couple of Tempest preamps on Audiogon also. That would get you set for under 2K. With the remainder of your budget, you could pick up a nice tubed CDP like the EE Minimax.

[Carlman]

Of SS preamps, the only one I liked was the IRD Purist.  I agree with the ChairGuy, though and generally prefer that 'touch' that only a tube can give.  Sounds like you plan to get that from the cd player.

Another option for what it's worth...  is to get a cheaper cdp, use it as a transport and send the digital out to a TacT 2150 amp.  The TacT would be your preamp, amp, and DAC all in one.  Get an upgraded power supply from Mauimods and you're under budget and have a great yet simple system. 

-C

[eric the red]

There's an RLD-1 on Audiogon for 750.00 and a DNA-1 Revision B for 950.00. Great prices on some very nice gear.  That leaves you plenty of $$$ for an Apollo which are starting to show up pre-owned for about 700.00 or a used Jupiter (which I just picked up for under 700.00).  750.00+950.00+700.00=2400.00 which would give you another 600.00 to upgrade to some Studio 100s  and forget about upgrading-maybe ever...

[Bob Reynolds]

I'm sure the Rega Apollo is a fine CD player, but there's no need to spend that much. Cambridge Audio makes fine players. NAD makes an inexpensive HDCD player. As you mentioned, the Rotel player (also HDCD) is a solid choice.

As I mentioned elsewhere, I would buy the most watts. I've owned Rotel and NAD and like them both -- good value for the money. I also prefer balanced connections, so that usually adds to the cost somewhat. However, if you can live with only volume control, then the NHT PVC is a $100 balanced passive attenuator. Add that to any of ATI's multichannel amps with balanced modules, like the AT2002 or AT3002, and you'll have a very nice system.

Your speakers are very good and support biamping. So, the ATI AT2004 for ~$1885 with free shipping would ensure you get the best from them.

http://www.soundcity.com/products/14096.html

Good luck with the search
Bob

[PaulFolbrecht]

Joe,

I have to 2nd the rec on the MiniMax CDP.  It is the best player under $1K I've heard, by a longshot, and its HDCD decoder sound partcularly good if you have any of those.  Also, it gets you tubes in your system if you do go with a SS linestage - the tubed output does give it some really nice quality.  If you would get the urge to upgrade, Underwood has a mod package for it that is supposed to make it a truly supreme player.

Check it out if you can.  I used one could be quite reasonable.