Bypass Pre or TT pre?

apphd
apphd Posts: 1,514
edited April 2011 in 2 Channel Audio
I'm wanting to bring my Dual CS-5000 back into use and improve my 2 ch. sound a little at the same time. First off, I run a Yamaha 663 (no TT input) LPA 1, Genesis Physics 320's, Genesis Physics II's, eD A2-300. The Yamaha is fine for HT, but I am missing the sound I had with an older Denon. I've been looking at USP 1, and the Parasound 2100. I like a warmer sound so I'm not sure if no tone controls is the way to go for me. Also not sure if I like the fixed 80 Hz xo of the 2100. Should I be considering just adding a TT pre? Would a 2 ch pre be a major improvement in my 2 ch. SQ over the Yamaha? I know, my ears my room etc. but any thoughts/comments are appreciated.

Thanks
Post edited by apphd on
· Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Comments

  • Erik Tracy
    Erik Tracy Posts: 4,673
    edited April 2011
    apphd wrote: »
    I'm wanting to bring my Dual CS-5000 back into use and improve my 2 ch. sound a little at the same time. First off, I run a Yamaha 663 (no TT input) LPA 1, Genesis Physics 320's, Genesis Physics II's, eD A2-300. The Yamaha is fine for HT, but I am missing the sound I had with an older Denon. I've been looking at USP 1, and the Parasound 2100. I like a warmer sound so I'm not sure if no tone controls is the way to go for me. Also not sure if I like the fixed 80 Hz xo of the 2100. Should I be considering just adding a TT pre? Would a 2 ch pre be a major improvement in my 2 ch. SQ over the Yamaha? I know, my ears my room etc. but any thoughts/comments are appreciated.

    Thanks

    IMO - yes - the Yamaha is holding you back on SQ. I have a Yamaha AVR (V1800) and it is a pretty good AVR, but since I went hybrid HT/2-channel, I think I'm getting much better SQ by going with an integrated amp with HT bypass.

    I plug my TT and SACD player directly into the Integrated Amp for 2-channel and, to my ears, it sounds better than when they were all connected into the AVR as the pre.

    ymmv....:tongue:

    H9: If you don't trust what you are hearing, then maybe you need to be less invested in a hobby which all the pleasure comes from listening to music.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • apphd
    apphd Posts: 1,514
    edited April 2011
    Thanks Erik I remember your thread about how you integraded your intergraded amp into your HT. Any thoughts on if a good (mid fi) TT pre might sound with the 663 vs a dedicated pre amp?
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Erik Tracy
    Erik Tracy Posts: 4,673
    edited April 2011
    apphd wrote: »
    Thanks Erik I remember your thread about how you integraded your intergraded amp into your HT. Any thoughts on if a good (mid fi) TT pre might sound with the 663 vs a dedicated pre amp?

    I went that route too - got a $100-ish external phono pre-amp to run into my AVR. Small step up results only, which in hind site I'd consider more of a lateral step. And of course, my CDP/SACD still was hooked into the AVR.

    Don't get the idea that if you stay with your AVR and get an external amp that your rig is 'substandard' - it may sound perfectly fine - just consider it as being on the upgrade path.

    You could then get an external pre-amp w/ HT bypass for your next step.

    H9: If you don't trust what you are hearing, then maybe you need to be less invested in a hobby which all the pleasure comes from listening to music.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter