doesn't the Emperical monoblock look just like the Parasound JC1 monoblock ?? are they one and the same ? i really have to think hard about the tubes. with little kids running around in the house and especially HT it will will hard to keep them away from touching those glowing bulbs !!
Sunil,
I was talking about the Emperical Audio DAC with the Preamp built in it. I had asked if Michael had heard a DAC with built in pre-amp that he liked. He said no. I did like the one we heard at THE Show. It is a solid state pre-amp and with the associated equipment (In the first picture that John posted) the JC1 mono blocks and the TAD speakers I was very impressed. And yes John he was demonstrating a digital room correction program on his laptop during the demo as well.
To Morgans point, you don't have to always have a tubed pre-amp that lets the tubes hang out. I think the Melody PB-101 had a protective tube cage cover. Others sometimes turn the tube sideways under the hood. I have a newer interation of the one I used as an example. It is tall and not very wide.
Sunil, in my humble opinion, solve the 2 channel imaging opportunity and add a tubed preamp, keep your current amps and you will sit at the right hand of your favorite god. I know it is easier said than done. I'm here to lend a hand. It should be a matter of adjusting the projector, fabricating a frame for the screen and moving the speakers and the couch to an optimal position. The downside is that you may lose 4 inches of video screen total. The upside is well, there's that god thing.
Lemme know we'll mess with the speaker and couch placement and I'll bring my pre-amp. Yes you can twist my arm and we can drink some wine.