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Anybody tried EMM DCC2 into preamp?

I use an Esoteric DV-50 as CDP. I love the Atma-Sphere MP-1/MA 2.2 (mod) combination/synergy and would hate to give up the MP-1, but want the best possible digital source, which is clearly the EMM DCC2 (+ transport).
I know that this unit functions as a preamp too and could make my MP-1 redundant. Has anyone used the DCC2 with a high quality preamp, eg Atma-Sphere, Aesthetix, etc instead of just straight into the amp, which is obviously more logical? Is there any chance that the synergy of the Atma-Sphere preamp/amp will even improve the sound of the DCC2 (+ EMM transport)? Anybody done that yet?
springbok10

Showing 6 responses by gladstone

gladstone
296 posts
 
I think tubes help.
gladstone
296 posts
 
The DCC2 is obviously very good--for solid-state. But it doesn't cut the mustard. You need a tubed preamp. Or, alternatively, a tubed amp--something I have not tried. But my results were the same as Springbok's--night and day, even with tubed amps that were not state of the art.
gladstone
296 posts
 
In this case, I don't know, though FMPND's use of the tubed Tenor amp suggests that the Meitner preamp can be improved upon even when used with a tubed amp. The biggest things I noticed with a tubed preamp were: greatly increased dynamics and slam, more bloom and body, much bigger soundstage, and more detail. The Meitner seems lean, and somewhat astringent in the treble region.
gladstone
296 posts
 
I'm not sure that's true. I'll have to do further listening, but there does seem to be more detail using a tubed preamp, which was counter to what I expected. I, too, assumed that an extra interconnect and preamp would degrade, not improve, the signal, which is why I didn't even bother trying a tubed preamp for about 9 months. When I did, I was shocked at the improvement. We're not talking about small changes. There's a majestic quality with the tubes that's absent otherwise.
gladstone
296 posts
 
Magnepan 20.1, Omega mono blocs, VPI HR-X, Meitner CDSD.
gladstone
296 posts
 
Much of the magic is in the power supplies as well... And it may not just be tubed preamps, I hear there's a little darting Dartzeel on the way as well...
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