Consider trying the Luxman C-900u pre-amp. I just had one on extended audition with my Rowland 625 S2 and it is a superlative match. Rich, powerful, detailed...it has it all...plus build quality and user interface are top notch.
Came across this and thought of you.....I bet this pair could be auditioned
https://www.usaudiomart.com/details/649460337-wilson-audio-wattpuppy-8-speakers-titan-red/
Got to see Hilary Hahn in recital and she performed "Mercy" by Max Richter as one of her encores. It was at the very top of any musical experience I have had. There were lots of people walking out during the encores....blew my mind.
If you like the ARC sound...maybe look at the 250 SE monos in the future...they seem to be available used at extremely low prices. Said to be an excellent combo with Salon2's.
Interesting thread which I've enjoyed reading through. Your title is so apt, as it describes my hunt for a pre-amp to a tee. There are so many quirks which can disqualify pre-amps in one's particular system....no remote, poor remote implementation, no volume display, single ended only, can't...
Get to see Ricky Skaggs here in a few weeks...looking forward to it!
On another note...5th row for Joe Bonamassa this past week. Big fan but I hadn't seen him live. Absolutely terrible.......WAY too loud...just a huge wall of distorted, garbled sound. Couldn't understand a single lyric...
Get to see Ricky Skaggs here in a few weeks...looking forward to it!
On another note...5th row for Joe Bonamassa this past week. Big fan but I hadn't seen him live. Absolutely terrible.......WAY too loud...just a huge wall of distorted, garbled sound. Couldn't understand a single lyric. Not...
I think the a used 350.8 would be well within your budget, and a used DAG S200 not far above.
Do look at the Krell and Hegel. From what I understand, the Krell 402e is not in any way considered bright like some of the older Krell.
Regarding the Rowland 625 and 625 S2.....Jeff's current...
While I think the Dartzeel, Burmester, and Luxman would all be superlative amps, I don't think they are up to driving Salon2's. You're going to need north of 200 watts into 8 ohms, and more is better.
Some amps that are well know great performers with Salon2's:
Pass 250.8, 350.8, monos etc...
Smart decision! I also own Salon2's. Doubtful we will ever get an unbiased comparison, but based on Magico's pricing and marketing strategy, I expect the Salon2 to still set well ahead of the new $10K Magico.
Paolo,
Thanks for your reply.
Do you think think if using the M5 with a non-modded MacMini that there would still be gains to make with installing the Uptone PS or do you think the M5 negates the need for this?
Paolo,
An interesting product indeed. I had a hard time understanding how exactly it worked....my original thought was that it somehow negated the need for a computer but finally understood that it is a bridge between computer and DAC. As I understand it, it more or less eliminates the...
Great report. Thanks for taking the time to write it.
Seeing Martha would be a dream....she's playing Prokofiev 3, correct? Only thing better would be to see her in recital again but doubt this is in the cards!
TD
The Revel/Pass combo should be great. I talked to Mark at Reno Hi-Fi at while back and guess what loudspeaker he uses? You guessed it.....Revel Salon2. I did specifically ask about the 260.8 monos vs. the 250.8 stereo and he was ambivalent. Also interesting to me was his clear recommendation...
The all silver interconnects from AQ are superb. Detailed, smooth, great bass. You can go back to Niagara and get most of what Fire offers. Beyond Fire, you are only getting bigger air tubes for an exponential increase in price and I doubt you could tell the difference in sonics.
I've used a Mac Mini server for several years with great results....configured similar to what astrostar posted.
There are a few caveats though. One depends on what the source for your music is.
My music is sourced exclusively from CD rips, which I used the mini and XLD to accomplish...