Channel Islands Preamp - First Impressions
michael_w
Posts: 2,813
A little package came for me today. It was the Channel Islands passive preamp (vpc-2) that Russ sent me. As expected it was boxed up to withstand the usual gruesome journey through the mail accross an entire country. He even threw in the original brochures, instruction manual and box :cool:
It looks to be pretty well built. Metal everything and just quality componnents are a big bonus. I'm not usually into silver but the brushed front plate and black base combo blends well with my white marble rack. I particularly like the feel of the knob on the pot. It's silky smooth and just feels like it's on a level above my NAD gear.
So how does it sound you ask?? Well in short, it's awesome. Before I threw this in I was running a NAD C352 integrated amp, which is known for the preamp being the weak part. It seems to be a pretty big difference using the CIA pre instead of the nad. What I noticed the most was how it opened up the highs. NAD is known to be warm and LSi's to be laid back so to see them come alive in the highs even more so is a very good thing. My sub also seems to be easier to integrate into the scheme too! Dynamics have increased a lot but most improved at lower volumes. Along with better highs comes better imaging. It just seems to envelop me more and provide a more quality depth and feel to everything.
No problems with the lack of volume either. I was slightly worried my cd player wouldn't be enough to power my amp properly but it doesn't seem to be an issue.
Keeping this short so I can go back to listening before I have to hit the sack for work tomorrow
In the meantime some shots to keep things interesting ~~
Wow that shelf looks empty with such a small pre
Okay okay I know... I need better cables. The single rat shack one is for my sub because I needed something about ten feet long and the other set is for pre --> amp. I had the integrated before so a single set of kimber heros was all I needed.
No I don't stash large amounts of coffee crisp's in my room...
It looks to be pretty well built. Metal everything and just quality componnents are a big bonus. I'm not usually into silver but the brushed front plate and black base combo blends well with my white marble rack. I particularly like the feel of the knob on the pot. It's silky smooth and just feels like it's on a level above my NAD gear.
So how does it sound you ask?? Well in short, it's awesome. Before I threw this in I was running a NAD C352 integrated amp, which is known for the preamp being the weak part. It seems to be a pretty big difference using the CIA pre instead of the nad. What I noticed the most was how it opened up the highs. NAD is known to be warm and LSi's to be laid back so to see them come alive in the highs even more so is a very good thing. My sub also seems to be easier to integrate into the scheme too! Dynamics have increased a lot but most improved at lower volumes. Along with better highs comes better imaging. It just seems to envelop me more and provide a more quality depth and feel to everything.
No problems with the lack of volume either. I was slightly worried my cd player wouldn't be enough to power my amp properly but it doesn't seem to be an issue.
Keeping this short so I can go back to listening before I have to hit the sack for work tomorrow
In the meantime some shots to keep things interesting ~~Wow that shelf looks empty with such a small pre
Okay okay I know... I need better cables. The single rat shack one is for my sub because I needed something about ten feet long and the other set is for pre --> amp. I had the integrated before so a single set of kimber heros was all I needed.
No I don't stash large amounts of coffee crisp's in my room...
Post edited by michael_w on
Comments
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Congrats Michael. I like that marble rack as well. Nice solid insolation.Michael
In the beginning, all knowledge was new!
NORTH of 60° -
Thanks. The marble rack does work pretty well but isn't exactly something I like to move around a lot . It's just a simple four shelf flexy rack (25+ lbs a shelf).
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Very cool. I agree with the pre section on the NAD being the weak part in an LSi rig.
Enjoy the new pre:cool:. -
michael_w wrote:Okay okay I know... I need better cables.
You *think* you need better cables
What is the switch? Two different inputs?Rega P3 > Parasound Zphono > NAD C320BEE > Polk LSi 15 -
I *know* I need better cables . After going from rat shack cables to Kimber Hero's I know there's a difference, albeit a small one, so I plan to stick that on my long list of upgrades.
Next up will be a new source or amplifier. Which one will come first will probably depend on what shows up on the used market once I'm ready to buy. Although it's tempting to pick up a pair of NIB a-stock lsi15's from work for about a grand cdn...
Yes, the switch is for input 1, mute, input 2. -
NIB a-stock lsi15's from work for about a grand cdn!:?!?! :O!?
Michael, you're my friend!!
You working audio/video part time or something?
regards
DaveTime is the best teacher. Unfortunately it kills all its students. -
nvm.
