What's the next logical step?

SolidSqual
SolidSqual Posts: 5,218
edited September 2007 in 2 Channel Audio
My system:

Acoustic Zen Adagios
PS Audio Trio A-100
PS Audio DLIII
Oppo 981 HD - Waiting to get a good transport. It'll do for now.
Rogue Audio Metis Pre

This is my system. I'm getting tired of my Metis and am thinking of moving up in the preamp world. Any suggestions? What's a good step up? It doesn't matter solid state or otherwise . . . though I do like my tubes.


Thanks

Mike
Post edited by SolidSqual on
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Comments

  • Ern Dog
    Ern Dog Posts: 2,237
    edited September 2007
    I'd at least wait until your AZA's break in first before upgrading. That Metis is an award winning tube preamp- not sure what you mean by 'getting tired' of it. You have a killer system Mike! Wasn't it you who wrote a thread about 'hitting liquid' last month and you were in heaven? Sounds to me like you got a bad case of Upgraditus.
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  • beardog03
    beardog03 Posts: 5,550
    edited September 2007
    I know what ya mean...
    my rig`s been back up for a week or two and it sounds great !

    but if it sounds this good now just think how good it would sound if I did this.....!!

    I`m already looking at CDP`s !

    I know I should just enjoy what I have, but that damn bug is bitting at me, and I`m already thinking "what if"..!!

    I have a new (still breaking in) Cary Pre Amp, and I`m thinking of swapping some other tubes into her ....no reason too, I just can`t hep it !


    oh, and to answer your question:rolleyes: , have you looked at Cary for a new pre amp ?!!
    Cary SLP-98L F1 DC Pre Amp (Jag Blue)
    Parasound HCA-3500
    Cary Audio V12 amp (Jag Red)
    Polk Audio Xm Reciever (Autographed by THE MAN Himself) :cool:
    Magnum Dynalab MD-102 Analog Tuna
    Jolida JD-100 CDP
    Polk Audio LSi9 Speaks (ebony)
    SVS PC-Ultra Sub
    AQ Bedrock Speaker Cables (Bi-Wired)
    MIT Shotgun S1 I/C`s
    AQ Black Thunder Sub Cables
    PS Audio Plus Power Cords
    Magnum Dynalab ST-2 FM Antenna
    Sanus Cherry wood Speak Stands
    Adona AV45CS3 / 3 Tier Rack (Black /Gold)

    :cool:
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  • SolidSqual
    SolidSqual Posts: 5,218
    edited September 2007
    God you are so right about the liquid thing. My Lsi15s sounded amazing!!!!! I hope I don't miss them as I did when I experimented with the Totem Hawks. That being said, I absolutley love my Metis, but I just want to make sure something doesn't sound better . . . I realize that's a dumb statement and ultimately defeatist . . . crap you actually make a good point. Well I guess the reason I wanted to try a new preamp is that the Metis is a little loud in the background with speakers of higher sensitivity and also pops when I turn it on. The popping was never a problem before. But now with my new amp, I never turn the amp off so the popping makes its way to the speakers.
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  • SolidSqual
    SolidSqual Posts: 5,218
    edited September 2007
    I promise I won't buy any new equipment until my speakers break in . . . there its done and in internet stone.
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  • mulveling
    mulveling Posts: 505
    edited September 2007
    The power amp should be turned on after the preamp. It should also be the first component to be powered off. Lots of pre/power combos will pop if you don't follow that order; yep it's worse on sensitive speaks.

    The Metis is a damn fine sounding pre, and should not be a weak link yet. Certainly, tube rolling those 6sn7 should be attempted long before thoughts of replacing it. If it does have a bit of noise floor with your speaks that's unfortunate; but personally I'd never replace a good sounding component just for its noise floor, as long as it's within reason. There's plenty of dead-quiet gear out there that sounds like crap. If you want something that perfectly reproduces dead-quite...well you don't need any gear for that :D

    Your current system seems solid and well balanced. Honestly, the biggest improvement you could make without replacing everything would probably be:
    1) Address room acoustics / positioning
    2) Get a good vinyl setup :D
    3) There are always more speakers to be auditioned
    4) Maybe consider a good HD650 based headphone setup for accuracy/reference listening
    Tannoy Dimension TD10, SOTA Star Sapphire, Heathkit W4A's, McIntosh MC2100, Eddie-Current Zana Deux, Singlepower SDS, Sennheiser HD650, Audio-Technica L3000, Sony Qualia 010
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  • Early B.
    Early B. Posts: 7,900
    edited September 2007
    Replace the PS Audio gear.
    HT/2-channel Rig: Sony 50” LCD TV; Toshiba HD-A2 DVD player; Emotiva LMC-1 pre/pro; Rogue Audio M-120 monoblocks (modded); Placette RVC; Emotiva LPA-1 amp; Bada HD-22 tube CDP (modded); VMPS Tower II SE (fronts); DIY Clearwave Dynamic 4CC (center); Wharfedale Opus Tri-Surrounds (rear); and VMPS 215 sub

    "God grooves with tubes."
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  • SolidSqual
    SolidSqual Posts: 5,218
    edited September 2007
    I understand the PS Audio amp, but I like the DLIII . . . the DLIII can't be bad, can it?
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  • Early B.
    Early B. Posts: 7,900
    edited September 2007
    SolidSqual wrote: »
    I understand the PS Audio amp, but I like the DLIII . . . the DLIII can't be bad, can it?


    You'll never know until you let it go...







    (I just wanted to say that 'cause it sounds kinda cool...)
    HT/2-channel Rig: Sony 50” LCD TV; Toshiba HD-A2 DVD player; Emotiva LMC-1 pre/pro; Rogue Audio M-120 monoblocks (modded); Placette RVC; Emotiva LPA-1 amp; Bada HD-22 tube CDP (modded); VMPS Tower II SE (fronts); DIY Clearwave Dynamic 4CC (center); Wharfedale Opus Tri-Surrounds (rear); and VMPS 215 sub

    "God grooves with tubes."
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  • SolidSqual
    SolidSqual Posts: 5,218
    edited September 2007
    I do have an excellent pair of GE 6SN7GTA's in the Metis now that sound just perfect. I definitely love those tubes.
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  • SolidSqual
    SolidSqual Posts: 5,218
    edited September 2007
    Well I did have a Denon 2900 hooked up to my system back with the LSi15s and I prefer the PS Audio Oppo combo. I also tested a Cambridge 640C and like the my combo better.
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  • JimBRICK
    JimBRICK Posts: 1,543
    edited September 2007
    Your at the Polk website all logic is left at the door
    SolidSqual wrote: »
    My system:

    Acoustic Zen Adagios
    PS Audio Trio A-100
    PS Audio DLIII
    Oppo 981 HD - Waiting to get a good transport. It'll do for now.
    Rogue Audio Metis Pre

    This is my system. I'm getting tired of my Metis and am thinking of moving up in the preamp world. Any suggestions? What's a good step up? It doesn't matter solid state or otherwise . . . though I do like my tubes.


    Thanks

    Mike
    2 CHANNEL
    Speaker - Klipsch Heresy II
    Under construction
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  • Ern Dog
    Ern Dog Posts: 2,237
    edited September 2007
    Ditto on Beardog's comment about Cary. I've actually been looking for one for myself. check this Cary preamp SLP-98 out: http://www.caryaudio.com/products/classic/SLP98.html

    Dude I'm just like you- I've contemplated upgrading at the same time new gear is in the mail to me! It's sick. The best solution is to drown out your thoughts and then go really BIG. Buy your hearts desire.
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