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Confused along the journey--opinions please

I'm confused, or maybe I know some things from what I've learned.  What do you think?

I replaced Totem Arro loudspeakers with PSB Imagine T2s.  I needed a WAF floorstander to replace the Totems and the PSBs did the trick.  After experiencing some neutral and accurate sound, I felt that I was missing some passion.  So, I moved my Creek Evolution 100A to the second system and bought a Primaluna Dialogue Premium HP.  

I had a bad switch in the Primaluna and had to send it back.  They are sending out a new unit asap.  Superb customer service from Mr. Kevin Deal.  

The Primaluna was so interesting and I enjoyed it.  But, to make matters confusing, I introduced a Manley Chinook tube phono preamplifier into the mix tonight and had to bring the Creek Evolution back to the PSBs (because the Primaluna is on a truck tomorrow while I wait replacement). 

So now my point.  While there were real audible differences between the Creek and Primaluna, the Manley Chinook may be more of a game changer.  

It's so hard to audition equipment these days so I'm a bit confused.  I know that I need to get a new Primaluna back into the spot to hear it with the Manley.  But I'm wondering what folks with more experience than me think.  

The Manley Chinook has bested the Creek's drop in phono board for sure.  I don't want to be chasing stuff, yet I want to feel just a bit more passion for the music, which the Chinook delivered in spades.

But where is my next level?    
Are my PSBs the weak spot now?  The Creek v. Primaluna is certainly not as wide a margin as I thought--whereas the Manley Chinook v. the Creek internal phono is no contest.  

All opinions welcome, especially from those who have more experience than I do! :)
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Showing 1 response by mb1audio

mb1audio
151 posts
 
" So now my point.  While there were real audible differences between the Creek and Primaluna, the Manley Chinook may be more of a game changer."

Assuming everything else is equal, the weaker the signal, the larger the effect outside forces have on it. A low output phono cart is more sensitive than a high output one. A phono preamp is more sensitive than a line stage. A line stage is more sensitive than a power amp. This is the main reason why many people don't see the value in preamps and phono stages. To them, a preamp is just a box with knobs, and can't figure out why they cost so much. To make a preamp perform at the same overall level of sound quality as an amp, more has to go in it. Same thing for a phono stage and a line stage. 

Its not that the Clinhook is a game changer. It just has more of an effect on the signal than an amp or line stage. There are plenty of other phono preamps in the same league as the Manley, and would yeild the same type of results. 

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