looking for a replacement amp

tonyb

A pre being more important.....eh, maybe so, but you already know the difference in sound an amp can make so I suggest everything plays a part in the final sound you'll hear. I know the McCormack dna250 and that pre seem to get reviewed well together.

I would be more inclined to go down the tubed pre route with a SS amp, kinda the best of both worlds thing. That's just me though, I'm sure that McCormack pre is no slouch by any standards.

Dawgfish

Very nice setup! Congrats on the new amp, that's a great one! I'm with Tony in recommending a tube pre. Musicality will go up another few notches! Going with tube pres (and later tube amps) was one of if not the single biggest improvement I've ever made in my systems.

SCompRacer

Jhayman wrote: »

I phono pre I run now is a Project phono box S it's a $200 unit at least when I bought it it was..
I don't know if that's what you would call a $100 unit or not its my first one so I was not sure..
If its not up to par what do you recommend?

That Pro-Ject is a decent highly adjustable phono stage. I merely used the $100 cost as an example, not to infer your present stage wasn’t up to par. I’m not familiar with the McCormick stage so I don’t know what you’d have to spend to best it. Based on their rep I’m guessing it would be a very good phono stage.

Phono pres are like amps and pre amps; you can spend a little or you can spend a lot. What are you looking for and how much do you want to spend? Is vinyl your main source of listening? If you wanted better you could continue up the Pro-Ject line.

Better usually gets you a lower noise floor, tighter tolerance parts in the RIAA filter, improved dynamics, more detail, larger and better defined soundstage, solid and extended bass, etc. What feeds the phono stage is equally as important.

brianle

I prefer either tube/solid state pre + tube amp over tube pre + solid state amp combo

Jhayman

Well got back with my other toy about to do some hooking up and testing out.
Is there a way to keep my Yamaha in the loop for my TV and movie watching while using my new gear?

bthogan

Jhayman wrote: »

Ya I really don't know the lingo although someone posted a link to one on here a while ago with all the terminology meanings..
But I can't find it, how do you like your DNA-1 what pre are you using unless the Adcom is the pre, I did not check before typing this.lol

I'm using the Adcom as a pre. Judging from my online investigations, a passive pre is recommended for the DNA-1; I'm not sure about the DNA-250, but based on McCormack designs for preamps, I'm guessing that the 250 would also be especially amenable to pairing with a passive pre. Mr. McCormack is extremely approachable via phone or email for discussion and recommendations regarding his equipment.

I actually find that switching the Adcom from passive to active has a noticeable negative effect on the depth of the soundstage and other aspects of the amp's sound that I like. Generally speaking, anything that introduces more gain, including certain power cords, takes more away from the amp's sound than it gives.

edit: whoa you got the LD-2? I'd be very interested to hear your impressions. I expect that at some point I'll be trying a McCormack pre or two with this amp.

tonyb

Jhayman wrote: »

Well got back with my other toy about to do some hooking up and testing out.
Is there a way to keep my Yamaha in the loop for my TV and movie watching while using my new gear?

Not at the same time. If you want to use the amp for both movies and the pre just get 2 Y signal splitters and have the pre outs from the receiver plugged into one end of each Y and the same for the pre. Again, not at the same time.

I thought the pre had a HT pass input anyway ?

brianle

DSkip wrote: »

I could definitely see that preference with the Ushers. You might not feel that way with something as power-hungry as Magnepans or the like.

I don't think the OP's Paradigms are that power hungry

tonyb

I believe the HT bypass is available when you use the video input on the pre. Connect the receiver to the video input and see if that works.

marvda1

while not power hungry, paradigms do like a lot of current.

Jhayman

Thanks bthogan for the info..
Ya got lucky finding the pre online for the price I did.
Well got hook it up now so ill report back after that with initial impressions..

bthogan wrote: »

I'm using the Adcom as a pre. Judging from my online investigations, a passive pre is recommended for the DNA-1; I'm not sure about the DNA-250, but based on McCormack designs for preamps, I'm guessing that the 250 would also be especially amenable to pairing with a passive pre. Mr. McCormack is extremely approachable via phone or email for discussion and recommendations regarding his equipment.

I actually find that switching the Adcom from passive to active has a noticeable negative effect on the depth of the soundstage and other aspects of the amp's sound that I like. Generally speaking, anything that introduces more gain, including certain power cords, takes more away from the amp's sound than it gives.

edit: whoa you got the LD-2? I'd be very interested to hear your impressions. I expect that at some point I'll be trying a McCormack pre or two with this amp.

Jhayman

Thanks Tonyb just about to hook it up that way to see if that works been on the phone with my buddy asking advice about hooking up the Yamaha he said the same thing you did..should work but I will have two volume controls now..
Be back in a while :razz:

tonyb wrote: »

I believe the HT bypass is available when you use the video input on the pre. Connect the receiver to the video input and see if that works.

tonyb

We're waiting.......:biggrin::biggrin:

Jhayman

Loving the look of the McCormack gear unfortunately I have to keep it where it is for placement reasons.
The LD-2 sounds Great very detailed though I have slight hiss coming from my speakers aside from that my TT sounds Great so does my Rotel CD player.
Very clean sounding its like its more of everything the notes seem to linger more, instruments like piano and guitars sound more real like they are in the room, bass is deeper and tighter.
I tried the Yamaha going to the video on the LD-2 but it did not produce any sound when I switched to video or theatre mode on the LD-2 it just got hum so I'm not sure what to do..

Jhayman

Sorry scratch that last comment about the going from the Yamaha to the LD-2 not working it is.
I was trying to play video from my streaming device last night when I tried it and just realized this morning that it hooked up via HDMI duh of course I'm not going to get video..
Now I just have to run a set of RCA for sound from the streaming box then I will get sound with the video..
Wondering if I should order 5-6 RCA cables from Douglas?
So far so good I can access all my music the way I used to.

tonyb

Cool man, glad you like it. When you EXPERIENCE these things, it's easier to comment than by some internet article. So far, you've decided to experience what a decent amp brings to the table, check. Now what a decent pre amp also brings to the table, check. I'm giving you kudos for going out and trying, doing your research, and listening.

This is why we harp on build quality, especially in power supplies and analog output stages. Cables are your next venture along with a good dac as I see it. Give your wallet some time on the beach, take it all in and do more research as to your path forward.

Very nice job there slick.

Jhayman

Thanks Tonyb..
I just toed my speakers out more and WOW the soundstage just popped out more..:razz:
The manual states you should use good cables to achieve the most potential.

I've been thinking of a Dac as well but I'll wait a while I think I'll go for some cables first..
Thanks for making my journey a Pleasant one..:razz:

Jhayman

Well I found my new/used audio stand I like it..
The more I listen to this pre/amp the more I love it..

Jhayman

Thanks DSkip.
I am extremely Happy with my system now even my phono preamp, it all feels right and Sounds Fantastic..
RATM never sounded so Good on vinyl at -5 on the LD-2 it just flows like oil, soft yet crisp..
This LD-2 really brought up the game over the Yamaha RX-A2000..
Even my Sub sounds better plugged into the LD-2