[mresseguie]

What a difference adding a preamp to a system makes! [I already knew this years ago, but it never hurts to re-experience it.]

My new PRA-9X is in my system now. It's not even burned in (assuming that's necessary?), yet I immediately noticed a deeper soundstage, greater dynamics, and a more pleasant almost tube-like sound to my music. Well done, Jason!

I can't wait for my new EVO STA-SE to arrive in a couple weeks. Please, please send me the first one, so I don't have to wait any longer! 

Michael

[AllanS]

What else is in the chain?

[mresseguie]

What else is in the chain?

It's a hodge podge mixture:

Nuprime CDT-8
Nuprime PRA-9X preamp
Holo Spring3 KTE
Class D IcePower 1200AS2
Fritz Loudspeakers Carrera Compact (83.5dB)

While the speakers sound wonderful, their low efficiency demands a powerful amp to do them justice. Initially, I tried 100w/ch and 150w/ch amps only to realize I needed some serious power, which led me to try the Class D amp, which does power them nicely.

[rustydoglim]

The Evolution STA-SE is in the league of top tier Class A amps, such as the CH A1.5 (most likely surpassing CH A1.5).
Looks like Evo STA-SE is overkilled for your system 
The PRA-9X though is world class, this product is as good as the Nuforce P20 or any other world class preamp.  PRA-9X was over designed and underpriced in the 9 series.  We do not intend to have another preamp in the higher end series due to economic reason (low demand, we can never make a profit). Pairing PRA-9X with Evo STA-SE is ok.

[AllanS]

It's a hodge podge mixture:

Nuprime CDT-8
Nuprime PRA-9X preamp
Holo Spring3 KTE
Class D IcePower 1200AS2
Fritz Loudspeakers Carrera Compact (83.5dB)

While the speakers sound wonderful, their low efficiency demands a powerful amp to do them justice. Initially, I tried 100w/ch and 150w/ch amps only to realize I needed some serious power, which led me to try the Class D amp, which does power them nicely.

I suppose one advantage of multiple residences is multiple spaces needing systems. I’d love to have a reason and place to build a -9 system.

[mresseguie]

Jason,

I experienced an odd very loud static-like sound (through the speakers) when my PRA-9X is in variable mode. I tried rearranging my gear because I initially thought it was wires and cables not getting along. Then, I moved my system into my tiny home office hoping that would solve the issue, but it persisted. Finally, I switched my preamp to 'fixed', and everything seems to be fine now. I control the volume either from my DAC's volume control or from my computer.

What is it about the preamp's variable setting that causes such interference? [I'm mystified.]

Edit:

The cabling in the above issue was silver XLR cables from my DAC to the preamp and copper RCA cables from the preamp to the amp. [This is the combination that sounds best to my ears in my main rig in Oregon.] Thirty minutes ago, I switched out the silver XLR cables with copper XLR cables,  and the crackling/static sounds are gone.  I'm once again happily using the variable setting on the preamp. 

Michael

[rustydoglim]

Bad cable?  There are all sorts of possibilities and I get this kind of questions from time to time.  There is no way I can remotely figure out 
My answer: I don't know.

The fixed and variable setting is explained on page 12 of the manual.