No more preamp or sub for me!

pearsall001
pearsall001 Posts: 5,068
edited April 2008 in 2 Channel Audio
I suprised even myself with this one. After my recent purchase of a Velodyne SPL-1200R sub I had a lot of fun with different hook-up scenerios. The one I liked the best was with the Krell preamp thru the velo hi-pass hook-up back to the Krell amp. This sounded wonderful. Then on a wim I decided to try something different.

I took the Krell preamp out completely & using the NAD T773 receiver as the preamp & for bass management I was taken back by the performance (NAD isn't kidding with their "Music First" slogan). To these old worn out ears there was absolutely no difference in sound between the two set-ups. I listened for about a week then went back to the Krell pre. Yep, my ears were right, so out came the Krell pre.

Next up was the SVS cylinder sub. The velo made mince meat out of it in HT & especially 2 channel listening (for music it simply was no contest). So now I have the NAD T773 as my control center & with it's great bass management my system now performs flawlessly. Bottom line...less gear, less IC & PC's all equals exceptional sound.

And I must add that with the addition of the Velo, my 2 channel listening has been raised thru the roof. What a sub like that brings to the table has to be heard to be believed!! You guys that are balls sure that you don't need a sub...think again. Ther's a whole lot that your missing. I don't care what bottom end you think your speakers are bringing to the table, it's just not there.

And for all you guys who thought I'd be selling the Velo...:p

The Krell pre & SVS have been sold!
"2 Channel & 11.2 HT "Two Channel:Magnepan LRSSchiit Audio Freya S - SS preConsonance Ref 50 - Tube preParasound HALO A21+ 2 channel ampBluesound NODE 2i streameriFi NEO iDSD DAC Oppo BDP-93KEF KC62 sub Home Theater:Full blown 11.2 set up.
Post edited by pearsall001 on
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  • Early B.
    Early B. Posts: 7,900
    edited April 2008
    Hmmm...the Krell pre & SVS doesn't surprise me.

    And I can certainly understand your use of the NAD receiver as a pre. I'm currently using the Emotiva LMC-1 as a pre and it sounds very good. Never thought I'd do it, either. However, that last little 1-2% of tone and midrange magic are missing, so I gotta get it back. Then I'm done. Eventually, you'll come to the same conclusion (except for the "I'm done" part).
    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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  • AudioFilet
    AudioFilet Posts: 235
    edited April 2008
    Which SVS did you have?
    2 Channel rig:
    LSi9"s (modified xover's) & HSU Sub
    Harman Kardon HK 990 Amp
    Onkyo C-S5VL SACD
    Music Hall MMF 5.1
    Furman Elite 15

    HT rig:
    HK AVR-745 & Polk Monitor Series
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  • pearsall001
    pearsall001 Posts: 5,068
    edited April 2008
    AudioFilet wrote: »
    Which SVS did you have?

    SVS...25-31plus cylinder.
    "2 Channel & 11.2 HT "Two Channel:Magnepan LRSSchiit Audio Freya S - SS preConsonance Ref 50 - Tube preParasound HALO A21+ 2 channel ampBluesound NODE 2i streameriFi NEO iDSD DAC Oppo BDP-93KEF KC62 sub Home Theater:Full blown 11.2 set up.
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  • McLoki
    McLoki Posts: 5,231
    edited April 2008
    pearsall001 wrote: »
    Next up was the SVS cylinder sub. The velo made mince meat out of it in HT & especially 2 channel listening (for music it simply was no contest).
    pearsall001 wrote: »
    SVS...25-31plus cylinder.

    Damn - wish I hadnt read that. Now I really want to upgrade..... :o:p:rolleyes:

    Epik - here I come....
    Mains.............Polk LSi15 (Cherry)
    Center............Polk LSiC (Crossover upgraded)
    Surrounds.......Polk LSi7 (Gloss Black - wood sides removed and crossovers upgraded)
    Subwoofers.....SVS 25-31 CS+ and PC+ (both 20hz tune)
    Pre\Pro...........NAD T163 (Modded with LM4562 opamps)
    Amplifier.........Cinepro 3k6 (6-channel, 500wpc@4ohms)
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  • greene1968
    greene1968 Posts: 126
    edited April 2008
    .does the svs just not go as low, or just dont have the output?

    Thanks
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  • pearsall001
    pearsall001 Posts: 5,068
    edited April 2008
    Early B. wrote: »
    Hmmm...the Krell pre & SVS doesn't surprise me.

    And I can certainly understand your use of the NAD receiver as a pre. I'm currently using the Emotiva LMC-1 as a pre and it sounds very good. Never thought I'd do it, either. However, that last little 1-2% of tone and midrange magic are missing, so I gotta get it back. Then I'm done. Eventually, you'll come to the same conclusion (except for the "I'm done" part).

    I hear ya EB. But I think I'm finally winning the battle of "Audio Nutism". If what I just did cost me 1-2% of sonic bliss...then I am quite happy & estatic!!. Truth be told, I couldn't hear the difference or really care if I did. This constant tail chasing (relates to $$$$ & a whole lot of nonsense) for that last, minute, unaudible & unattainable bit of detail. Because once you've thought that you've found it...the quest for even better continues. One has got to learn when to apply the brakes & return to audio sanity.

    Right now, with the addition of the Velo SPL-1200R my system is literally rocking in both HT & 2 channel. I've cut my tail off & am kicking back & enjoying my system. I am at peace with the audio gods now!! :D:D
    "2 Channel & 11.2 HT "Two Channel:Magnepan LRSSchiit Audio Freya S - SS preConsonance Ref 50 - Tube preParasound HALO A21+ 2 channel ampBluesound NODE 2i streameriFi NEO iDSD DAC Oppo BDP-93KEF KC62 sub Home Theater:Full blown 11.2 set up.
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  • pearsall001
    pearsall001 Posts: 5,068
    edited April 2008
    greene1968 wrote: »
    .does the svs just not go as low, or just dont have the output?

    Thanks

    Not wanting to turn this into svs/velo discussion thread here's a quick answer.

    The svs is a superb sub, so is the velo. I would be just as happy with either in HT but not for music. Just my $.02

    Now if you move up to the svs ultra series...that's a whole different ball game. Howerer the ultra series are just to darn big for my space limitations. The velo at 14x14x15 is just perfect space & performance wise.
    "2 Channel & 11.2 HT "Two Channel:Magnepan LRSSchiit Audio Freya S - SS preConsonance Ref 50 - Tube preParasound HALO A21+ 2 channel ampBluesound NODE 2i streameriFi NEO iDSD DAC Oppo BDP-93KEF KC62 sub Home Theater:Full blown 11.2 set up.
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  • obieone
    obieone Posts: 5,077
    edited April 2008
    Nice to see SOMEONE stop drinking the "Upgrade Koolaid"!
    Congrats.
    I refuse to argue with idiots, because people can't tell the DIFFERENCE!
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  • Dennis Gardner
    Dennis Gardner Posts: 4,861
    edited April 2008
    I can swap out good solid state AVR/preamps all day long and not miss them. Its my tube preamps that I have a hard time letting go of.....and my mains have been big enough for years to sound best without a sub for music.

    I do use the subs for HT but with 8 ft. front projection for going on 5 years now, you stop effing your mind up with how good things look and sound and just enjoy the film.

    What I do like about your choice is just keepin' it simple........
    HT Optoma HD25 LV on 80" DIY Screen, Anthem MRX 300 Receiver, Pioneer Elite BDP 51FD Polk CS350LS, Polk SDA1C, Polk FX300, Polk RT55, Dual EBS Adire Shiva 320watt tuned to 17hz, ICs-DIY Twisted Prs, Speaker-Raymond Cable

    2 Channel Thorens TD 318 Grado ZF1, SACD/CD Marantz 8260, Soundstream/Krell DAC1, Audio Mirror PP1, Odyssey Stratos, ADS L-1290, ICs-DIY Twisted , Speaker-Raymond Cable
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  • cfrizz
    cfrizz Posts: 13,415
    edited April 2008
    Congrats Phil! Enjoy your setup & having more money in your pocket & time on your hands to just kick back & listen to what you've put together!
    Marantz AV-7705 PrePro, Classé 5 channel 200wpc Amp, Oppo 103 BluRay, Rotel RCD-1072 CDP, Sony XBR-49X800E TV, Polk S60 Main Speakers, Polk ES30 Center Channel, Polk S15 Surround Speakers SVS SB12-NSD x2
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  • Early B.
    Early B. Posts: 7,900
    edited April 2008
    pearsall001 wrote: »
    I hear ya EB. But I think I'm finally winning the battle of "Audio Nutism". If what I just did cost me 1-2% of sonic bliss...then I am quite happy & estatic!!. Truth be told, I couldn't hear the difference or really care if I did. This constant tail chasing (relates to $$$$ & a whole lot of nonsense) for that last, minute, unaudible & unattainable bit of detail. Because once you've thought that you've found it...the quest for even better continues. One has got to learn when to apply the brakes & return to audio sanity.

    Right now, with the addition of the Velo SPL-1200R my system is literally rocking in both HT & 2 channel. I've cut my tail off & am kicking back & enjoying my system. I am at peace with the audio gods now!! :D:D

    Very nice, then. I'm glad you found what you're looking for.

    Here's my situation -- I know my system can sound better because I've heard it. Same CDP, same speakers, but now I have a different amp and pre. When my system sounded its best, it lacked dynamics, but I've fixed that issue with the subs and removal of the passive pre. Now I want to hear that nut-tingling female vocal midrange again. The Promitheus TVC and Marsh amp were the keys to this magic. Gonna get the magic back soon, but in a different (and less expensive) form. When I do, I'll should have the sound I want, then I can jump off the upgrade merry-go-round. Of course, Pear, I think you're still on the ride talkin' 'bout, "Wheeeeeeh!";)
    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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  • venomclan
    venomclan Posts: 2,467
    edited April 2008
    Does the NAD have balanced XLR's?
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  • pearsall001
    pearsall001 Posts: 5,068
    edited April 2008
    venomclan wrote: »
    Does the NAD have balanced XLR's?

    No it doesn't. That wasn't as much of a stumbling block as I first thought. Since the Velo doesn't have XLR connections, that pretty much finalized that decision. However down the road when it comes time to find a replacement for the T773, I'll make sure it has XLR's.
    "2 Channel & 11.2 HT "Two Channel:Magnepan LRSSchiit Audio Freya S - SS preConsonance Ref 50 - Tube preParasound HALO A21+ 2 channel ampBluesound NODE 2i streameriFi NEO iDSD DAC Oppo BDP-93KEF KC62 sub Home Theater:Full blown 11.2 set up.
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  • reeltrouble1
    reeltrouble1 Posts: 9,312
    edited April 2008
    I have a sub that comes over sometimes when the mood hits me, we go into the Shed and the sub is always scared of the low sounds coming from the two speakers in the room.

    RT1
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  • TroyD
    TroyD Posts: 13,077
    edited April 2008
    Good deal!

    You know, as far as HT goes...I've done receivers and separates and gone back and forth a couple of times. I'm going back to a receiver. Yes, separates sound better for music but the simplicity and so forth just make a receiver a better option for HT for me.

    BDT
    I plan for the future. - F1Nut
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  • SolidSqual
    SolidSqual Posts: 5,218
    edited April 2008
    obieone wrote: »
    Nice to see SOMEONE stop drinking the "Upgrade Koolaid"!
    Congrats.

    He'll relapse . . . everyone does.
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  • Early B.
    Early B. Posts: 7,900
    edited April 2008
    SolidSqual wrote: »
    He'll relapse . . . everyone does.

    He probably relapsed already.;)
    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 April 2008
    Early B. wrote: »
    He probably relapsed already.;)

    Seriously, I remember when I bought my Odyssey gear and was running a pair of AZ Adagios. I thought I would have that system for years! It lasted a month. My present system is entirely new and is still here after one month. So I've hit a personal record. That being said, I did buy a new sub for HT apps.

    You're screwed pearsall, all the extra room means you are gonna start itching to fill it with new gear.
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  • candyliquor35m
    candyliquor35m Posts: 2,267
    edited April 2008
    I'm quite happy with +-$500 components. In other words, I have no desire to own a krell or a svs. Not that they aren't worth the money but they aren't for me.
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  • Ricardo
    Ricardo Posts: 10,636
    edited April 2008
    candyliquor35m wrote: »
    I'm quite happy with +-$500 components. In other words, I have no desire to own a krell or a svs. Not that they aren't worth the money but they aren't for me.

    Well, you could buy a Krell amp and just make it for you; you know, open it up and take out a few resistors, add a few caps. Make it orgarsmic like your SL2000's.
    _________________________________________________
    ***\\\\\........................... My Audio Journey ............................./////***

    2008 & 2010 Football Pool WINNER
    SOPA
    Thank God for different opinions. Imagine the world if we all wanted the same woman
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  • candyliquor35m
    candyliquor35m Posts: 2,267
    edited April 2008
    Ricardo wrote: »
    Well, .

    Since you volunteered go ahead and do that for me and send it to me and I'll demo it so I can decide if it's worth $500 :p
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  • Ricardo
    Ricardo Posts: 10,636
    edited April 2008
    I don't recall volunteering for anything. It seems you're now having visions? Hallucinating maybe?
    _________________________________________________
    ***\\\\\........................... My Audio Journey ............................./////***

    2008 & 2010 Football Pool WINNER
    SOPA
    Thank God for different opinions. Imagine the world if we all wanted the same woman
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  • candyliquor35m
    candyliquor35m Posts: 2,267
    edited April 2008
    Ricardo wrote: »
    I

    No comment. I've already made my constructive comments to this thread.
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  • Ricardo
    Ricardo Posts: 10,636
    edited April 2008
    candyliquor35m wrote: »
    No comment. I've already made my constructive comments to this thread.

    Really? In this thread? Would you mind pointing them out? I just can't see them.
    _________________________________________________
    ***\\\\\........................... My Audio Journey ............................./////***

    2008 & 2010 Football Pool WINNER
    SOPA
    Thank God for different opinions. Imagine the world if we all wanted the same woman
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  • candyliquor35m
    candyliquor35m Posts: 2,267
    edited April 2008
    Ricardo wrote: »
    Really

    No comment. You seem to have something other than the topic of this thread on your agenda.
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  • organ
    organ Posts: 4,969
    edited April 2008
    Glad to hear the set up is working well for you. I agree, NAD makes some really good stuff. I have a few pieces that I don't plan to sell. Good to hear you got the sub working out in the system. I'm still having some problems getting my PSW650 to blend in with my mains.
    Rock on!
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  • Ricardo
    Ricardo Posts: 10,636
    edited April 2008
    candyliquor35m wrote: »
    No comment. You seem to have something other than the topic of this thread on your agenda.

    No comment? Well, you did make the comment on my agenda, didn't you.

    I have no agenda really. Just reading your posts and replying, in what I think is not an offensive way. It's funny though...why do you always cut the quotes and just leave the first words? I've noticed you always do that.
    I also noticed some threads you started were deleted; do you know why?
    _________________________________________________
    ***\\\\\........................... My Audio Journey ............................./////***

    2008 & 2010 Football Pool WINNER
    SOPA
    Thank God for different opinions. Imagine the world if we all wanted the same woman
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  • Ricardo
    Ricardo Posts: 10,636
    edited April 2008
    Phil, sorry for the derail....I'll stay out of it. Just couldn't help it.

    Congrats in your new findings :)
    _________________________________________________
    ***\\\\\........................... My Audio Journey ............................./////***

    2008 & 2010 Football Pool WINNER
    SOPA
    Thank God for different opinions. Imagine the world if we all wanted the same woman
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  • candyliquor35m
    candyliquor35m Posts: 2,267
    edited April 2008
    Ricardo wrote: »
    No

    No comment :D I don't understand the point of your (Ricardo) conversation nor does it involve this thread and doesn't appear to be constructive so I choose not to participate in your (Ricardo) conversation.
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  • pearsall001
    pearsall001 Posts: 5,068
    edited April 2008
    TroyD wrote: »
    Good deal!

    You know, as far as HT goes...I've done receivers and separates and gone back and forth a couple of times. I'm going back to a receiver. Yes, separates sound better for music but the simplicity and so forth just make a receiver a better option for HT for me.

    BDT

    That was my first concern...that separates would sound better for music. But my concerns were put quickly to rest. The NAD T773 receiver does a fabulous job as a preamp fpr two channel listening. I really don't miss the CJ or the Krell pre's at all. Sometimes I wonder how much we actually read into all this audio stuff & just don't trust our ears. There's a lot of sliced "bologna" that we've all eaten!!! :)
    "2 Channel & 11.2 HT "Two Channel:Magnepan LRSSchiit Audio Freya S - SS preConsonance Ref 50 - Tube preParasound HALO A21+ 2 channel ampBluesound NODE 2i streameriFi NEO iDSD DAC Oppo BDP-93KEF KC62 sub Home Theater:Full blown 11.2 set up.
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