Hi Daddyo; I enjoyed the latest issue of TAS too, and like you, especially the various stereo systems they put together at different price levels. Anyway, just for the helluva it, I ran good ICs from my Sony CA9ES ($700. MSRP) variable out terminals directly to my amp (very good amp). The sound was so incredibly detailed, etched, wiry, and shrill that it almost made my ears bleed. I blame the cheap variable volume control of the Sony CD player for the harsh sound (control is on the remote, and it worked fine). I quickly learned that if you're going to do this, you need a CD player with a high quality volume control. I replugged the CD output back into my outboard DAC, tube pre-amp, and went back to being relaxed and happy. Happy listening. Craig
CD direct to Amp/Current TAS issue ?
In the current issue of the Absolute Sound, the reviewers are asked to put together reccomended systems within certain price ranges (this is a great issue, BTW). One of the reccomended systems has an amp and CD player, but no preamp. The reviewer says something to the effect of "Because the CD player has an analog output level control, a preamp is not required and that money can be put into other areas of the system." Does this work with any CD player/Amp combination as long as the CD has an output level control? Is there any risk of damaging the amp or speakers by using this "no preamp" configuration? Other than being limited to only one input source, are there any drawbacks to going direct to amp? I appreciate any light you can shed on this subject, especially if any of you are actually running your systems in this configuration.