The final component has arrived...

Early B.
Early B. Posts: 7,900
edited August 2008 in Electronics
Yes, you read it correctly -- the final piece. My "new" 2-channel preamplifier is a modded Marsh P2000. I've owned a couple of Marsh amps and was very impressed with their sound and build quality, so I grabbed this preamp as the last component towards rebuilding my 2-channel system. Previously, I was running my audio through an Emotiva pre/pro. It actually does an exceptional job for 2-channel playback, but the Marsh provides the last vestige of tone, resolution and detail. So far, I like it. I'll spend the upcoming weekend listening and tweaking.
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."
004.JPG 400.6K
Post edited by Early B. on
· Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Comments

  • steveinaz
    steveinaz Posts: 19,545
    edited July 2008
    Scha-weet.
    Source: Bluesound Node 2i - Preamp/DAC: Benchmark DAC2 DX - Amp: Parasound Halo A21 - Speakers: MartinLogan Motion 60XTi - Shop Rig: Yamaha A-S501 Integrated - Source: Rotel CD14MkII CD Player - Speakers: Elac Debut 2.0 B5.2
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • SolidSqual
    SolidSqual Posts: 5,218
    edited July 2008
    Get to reviewing pal. All the crap you been slingin on that amp helped convince me to buy a pair for myself. Don't let me down! :)
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • AndyGwis
    AndyGwis Posts: 3,655
    edited July 2008
    Early, what did we tell you about using the words/phrases: final, done, complete, satisfied, nirvana, you heard it here 'no more upgrading', etc.

    :)

    Nice looking pre! Good luck with your journey.
    Stereo Rig: Hales Revelation 3, Musical Fidelity CD-Pre 24, Forte Model 3 amp, Lexicon RT-10 SACD, MMF-5 w/speedbox, Forte Model 2 Phono Pre, Cardas Crosslink, APC H15, URC MX-950, Lovan Stand
    Bedroom: Samsung HPR-4252, Toshiba HD-A2, HK 3480, Signal Cable, AQ speaker cable, Totem Dreamcatchers, SVS PB10-NSD, URC MX-850
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • nikolas812
    nikolas812 Posts: 2,915
    edited July 2008
    SolidSqual wrote: »
    Get to reviewing pal. All the crap you been slingin on that amp helped convince me to buy a pair for myself. Don't let me down! :)



    What the hell do you do for a living??? Seems like your always dropping some major coinage on some gear.:eek:






    EB

    Congrats on the Pre.

    I'll be looking forward to a review also.

    Nick
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • SolidSqual
    SolidSqual Posts: 5,218
    edited July 2008
    nikolas812 wrote: »
    What the hell do you do for a living??? Seems like your always dropping some major coinage on some gear.:eek:


    EB

    Congrats on the Pre.

    I'll be looking forward to a review also.

    Nick

    First, getting a good resale value for old gear. Second, selling my soul in downtown Chicago pays well. I actually walked away with $100 after selling the S300s and buying the XPA-2s.

    I should bring one of these to your place to compare to the Khartago you just bought.



    What's your initial take EarlyB? Best setup you've ever owned?
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Early B.
    Early B. Posts: 7,900
    edited July 2008
    SolidSqual wrote: »
    What's your initial take EarlyB? Best setup you've ever owned?

    Probably, but I ain't sure yet. I just got the preamp last night and we had guests over, so I haven't spent time with it yet. I'll say the biggest improvement thus far has come from re-configuring the room. The gear is secondary (wow -- never thought I'd ever say that).

    I'll provide more comments on the preamp later.
    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."
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • nikolas812
    nikolas812 Posts: 2,915
    edited July 2008
    SolidSqual;893266]First, getting a good resale value for old gear. Second, selling my soul in downtown Chicago pays well. I actually walked away with $100 after selling the S300s and buying the XPA-2s.


    Sounds like pretty much the same thing I do.:cool: Buy, enjoy, sell and upgrade to something better. Its a vicious cycle but I thoroughly enjoy it.:D


    I should bring one of these to your place to compare to the Khartago you just bought.


    I was thinking the same thing myself. I wasn't going to ask But since you mentioned it. Sounds cool to me.:cool: Just let me know when you want to get together.



    Sorry to crap on your thread EB.:p



    Nick
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • treitz3
    treitz3 Posts: 19,945
    edited July 2008
    This very well may be his last audio purchase for a while........well, let me rephrase. This might very well be his last audio GEAR purchase for a while. He has just received some very good news that was the hardest part of the entire operation.

    I'd tell you all what it is, but then I'd have to kill you.
    ~ In search of accurate reproduction of music. Real sound is my reference and while perfection may not be attainable? If I chase it, I might just catch excellence. ~
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • SolidSqual
    SolidSqual Posts: 5,218
    edited July 2008
    EarlyB: What made you go with this preamp and not one made by Emotiva?
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Early B.
    Early B. Posts: 7,900
    edited July 2008
    SolidSqual wrote: »
    EarlyB: What made you go with this preamp and not one made by Emotiva?

    I wanted a simple circuit for my CDP only setup. Emotiva's preamp has a lot of extra features I don't need in a preamp such as a phono input, headphone output, bass and treble trim controls, bass management, etc.
    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."
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • engtaz
    engtaz Posts: 7,669
    edited July 2008
    Congrats. Both pre's are very good IMO.

    engtaz
    engtaz

    I love how music can brighten up a bad day.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Early B.
    Early B. Posts: 7,900
    edited July 2008
    OK, I had an extensive listening session today and I'm very pleased with the Marsh preamp. I wanted more detail, tone, and clarity without sacrificing bass and dynamics, and that's what I got. No complaints here. All is well.

    SS -- to answer your question re: the best setup I've had to date, now I can definitively respond in the affirmative. A close second would have to be the Marsh A400 amp with Promitheus TVC serving as the pre. That system had finesse and greater tonality, but the current system is more powerful and more fun to listen to.
    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."
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • madmax
    madmax Posts: 12,434
    edited July 2008
    Yep, this is your last piece of gear. Its so nice that you will never again have to buy another component. Congrats!

    I have dibs on 47 days until you buy something else. :)
    Vinyl, the final frontier...

    Avantgarde horns, 300b tubes, thats the kinda crap I want... :D
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Ern Dog
    Ern Dog Posts: 2,237
    edited July 2008
    Early B. wrote: »
    but the current system is more powerful and more fun to listen to.

    To me that is what this hobby is all about.... finding the right components that makes listening to music fun and enjoyable. Nothing beats getting a new killer amp and pre-amp!:D
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Early B.
    Early B. Posts: 7,900
    edited July 2008
    madmax wrote: »
    Yep, this is your last piece of gear. Its so nice that you will never again have to buy another component. Congrats!

    I have dibs on 47 days until you buy something else. :)

    Well, I'll probably upgrade the HT pre/pro later this year to get the new HD capabilities, but that purchase really doesn't count. If I stick with Emotiva, I'll get 40% off, so it's a no brainer. But yeah, for 2-channel I'm done. Believe it or not, I'm getting bored with upgrading.
    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."
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • phipiper10
    phipiper10 Posts: 961
    edited July 2008
    Bored with upgrading?, I wouldn't believe it for a second.
    Analog Source: Rega P3-24 Exact 2 w/GT delrin platter & Neo TT-PSU Digital Source: Lumin U2 w/Roon (NUC) DAC:T+A DAC 200 Phono Preamp: Rega Aria MK3 Preamp: Rogue RP-7 Amp: Infigo Method 6 Speakers: Joseph Audio Perspective 2, Audio Physic Tempo Plus Cables: Cardas Clear Reflection SC/IC, Shunyata PCs Misc: Shunyata Hydra Delta D6, VTI rack, GIK acoustic panels
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • treitz3
    treitz3 Posts: 19,945
    edited July 2008
    Don't push it Early......
    ~ In search of accurate reproduction of music. Real sound is my reference and while perfection may not be attainable? If I chase it, I might just catch excellence. ~
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Ern Dog
    Ern Dog Posts: 2,237
    edited July 2008
    Maybe you've hit the point of saturation.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • zircon
    zircon Posts: 44
    edited July 2008
    phipiper10 wrote: »
    Bored with upgrading?, I wouldn't believe it for a second.

    lol, true!
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Early B.
    Early B. Posts: 7,900
    edited August 2008
    OK, maybe I was a tad bit overzealous when I used the term, "final component" because after one week I'm already in the process of switching out the Marsh preamp. But it's not my fault. I gotta blame this one solely on steveinaz and his glowing review of the Placette passive pre. I figured I'd rekindle the magic I found in the passive pre arrangement.

    Damn you, Steve!!!
    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."
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • SolidSqual
    SolidSqual Posts: 5,218
    edited August 2008
    Early B. wrote: »
    OK, maybe I was a tad bit overzealous when I used the term, "final component" because after one week I'm already in the process of switching out the Marsh preamp. But it's not my fault. I gotta blame this one solely on steveinaz and his glowing review of the Placette passive pre. I figured I'd rekindle the magic I found in the passive pre arrangement.

    Damn you, Steve!!!

    So that makeshift sliding shelf of yours is still hanging in there?
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Face
    Face Posts: 14,340
    edited August 2008
    SolidSqual wrote: »
    So that makeshift sliding shelf of yours is still hanging in there?

    Maybe that's the real reason he's replacing the Marsh. :D
    "He who fights with monsters should look to it that he himself does not become a monster. And when you gaze long into an abyss the abyss also gazes into you." Friedrich Nietzsche
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Systems
    Systems Posts: 14,873
    edited August 2008
    Send me the Marsh,I will babysit for free.:D
    Testing
    Testing
    Testing
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Early B.
    Early B. Posts: 7,900
    edited August 2008
    SolidSqual wrote: »
    So that makeshift sliding shelf of yours is still hanging in there?

    Yeah, dude. It's great. In fact, my wife wants me to buy two more sliding shelves for the speakers.: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."
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • treitz3
    treitz3 Posts: 19,945
    edited August 2008
    Early B. wrote: »
    ..... after one week I'm already in the process of switching out the Marsh preamp.
    Well, ain't that a hoot! :p
    ~ In search of accurate reproduction of music. Real sound is my reference and while perfection may not be attainable? If I chase it, I might just catch excellence. ~
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • SolidSqual
    SolidSqual Posts: 5,218
    edited August 2008
    Early B. wrote: »
    Yeah, dude. It's great. In fact, my wife wants me to buy two more sliding shelves for the speakers.:cool:

    I bet that would really help dial them in ;) How much do those babies weigh?
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter