Sending Dared SL2000a in to repair hum

audiocr381ve

heiney9 wrote: »

Of the many Dared's owned on PF, Stew seems to be the exception. It could simply be a gear mis-match. It happens. I wouldn't worry too much Shane it's not really a speaker issue anyway unless one has ultra high sensitivity speakers, then all gear in the chain can be suspect. LSi 9's are not ultra efficient so no worries there.

H9

I'm afraid swapping in the LSi9's did reveal the hum again. Not as bad as my Monitor 5's, but it's there. It's a weird noise, almost like a hard drive that's processing info.

Someone mentioned turning down the amp, and that's how I've overcome this issue as well. Keep us posted!

organ

Stew wrote: »

organ - Unfortunately my NAD doesn't have the variable input. I'm using the C370 which is essentially the C160 preamp and C270 amp all in one box. It has a variable output for the preamp but no variable input for the amp.

That's good to know that the C272 variable input didn't affect sound quality. With that in mind, I'm considering the NAD C270 or C272 or possibly a Parasound 1200 or 1500. Anyone have one of these you're interested in selling? Any other suggestions for an amp that likes Dared's and SDA's?

My bad. Mine is the C270. Yeah, your C370 is the C160 pre and C270 amp in one box. If you like the sound, you can find a used C270 cheap. I've seen them go for $350, sometimes 300. I was keeping an eye one one just last week and saw a used unit go for $500 in less than a week. That's very high considering I got mine brand new for $700.

If you think the amp section sounds good now, you'll be blown away if you use the C270 or your C370 with a transformer based passive preamp.
I haven't tried the Dared SL2000 but have used the NAD with a few tube preamps.

With the passive pre, it's the best I've heard the C270 sound so far. You might want to try one out if you can find good one at a low price. I don't know how often you swap/collect gear, but a passive pre is something really worth looking into as well.

I'm using an Antique Sound Lab passive pre amp similar to this one... http://divertech.com/aslpassiveti.html Mine is an earlier model that I purchased used for $350. The C160 stand no chance against it. I purchased my C270 brand new back in 2002.

Stew

How are dynamics with the passive pre? I thought about going that route at one time but decided on the Dared instead. I love the sound of the Dared and want to try and make it work before changing course.

I'm leaning towards a NAD C270, C272, or C275Bee. Has anyone compared the C275Bee to the older two? A used or refurbished C275Bee seems to go for about twice the price of the older two. Is it worth it?

organ

Absolutely. Get the most out of your current stuff before trying something else.
For my system and stuff I rotate, I don't lose any dynamics. It actually increased in most situations where there is clearly a bigger difference between the softest and loudest passages. I guess it's the lower noise floor from using a passive unit that contributes this quality.

I'm currently using the C160 pre on a pair of speakers I just got. I haven't tried the passive on this one yet. But so far the passive worked out great on all my other speakers.

One pair I haven't tried it on is are LSi9.

I haven't heard any of the newer units after the C270. But they have been adding more technology into the series like Power Drive and a change in circuitry with the BEE. You're right, the price has been creeping up after the C270. I'm satisfied with the C270 because I feel I have yet to max my system out with it. I can still hear every gear change up or downstream in the component chain.

I was at my dealer yesterday to pick up a pair of B&W. Been going to that shop regularly for years and always chit chat with the owner. He asked me what I was going to power them with and I told him the C270. He said he just sold one recently and he thought the sound was fantastic. He sells a lot of new and used gear. That's saying a lot since he has some very high end stuff in the store all the time.

I wonder how much the sound signature has changed in the newer unit.

Are you able to do an in-home audition of the later ones?

tonyb

Man, I'm diggin' that ASL pre. Nice....you never see them up for sale either. Looks like a killer combo with the Nad.

organ

I don't see much ASL stuff up for sale either. Works great with the NAD. "Sounds" like there is no pre in the signal chain and you hear more of the source. I'm currently running a SS pre again due to speaker upgrade. Not sure how the passive will handle it because it's more power hungry and need a higher volume setting on the pre.

Stew

organ wrote: »

Are you able to do an in-home audition of the later ones?

Hi-Fi stores are few and far between in Wyoming. Mail order is my friend.

Dallas21

The New Auricap-XO caps are much better across the board .i bought the 2 input .22uf and 4-1uf for $150 delivered.
Now I just have to put them in .who could help with resistor values,and watt for the Dared Sl2000A preamp ?
While it is apart do it right,
Also these tweaks work well Herbies tender feet with adhesive included right after the nubs for feet,and Herbies Titanium tube dampers a nice improvement in clarity ,gets better over 48 hours,using a Bendix6106 and industrial Sylvania Gold triple mica black plates,
Excellent synergy.