2. amps-preamps
  3. 1083686261

To preamp or not to preamp?

I am pulling together a two channel system that will also have a home theater function. At this point, I am only going to have one source- a CD/DVD player. I have noticed a few source units (such as the EAD DVDMaster 8000) that are able to connect directly to the amp and eliminate the need for a preamp. I am trying to understand the pros/cons of such a configuration. Does anyone out there have experience running a system without the preamp that they would like to share? System is under construction and so far includes Quad 989s as mains with dynamic Quads to cover the other three channels and a Levinson 334. I am looking to spend less than $4000 for the source unit.
eetheredge

Showing 1 response by arl67

arl67
13 posts
 
I went from mega-buck CDPs and DACs ( Wadia, DCS, Chord, Audio Aero, MSB, Bel Canto ,etc ) to my all-in-one solution -> EAD 8800-Pro pre/pro. I have owned several EAD products in the past too.

The EAD 8800-Pro really gives me great 2-channel sonics, and I do not feel I am compromising much in either 2-channel or HT.

And I just inserted a Monarchy DIP upsampler between by CD transport and EAD, for even further improvement for my 2-channel. I use an SDI mod'd Panasonic XP50 DVD player for my HT duties.

Another 8800-Pro owner says that the current 8800 series is easily sonically superior to the previous 8000 series, FWIW.

EAD have been really good with software updates too.

Another CDP I really like is the Classe CDP-10, mated to a Placette passive or EVS attentuators. The Classe has plenty of output voltage to run passive.

- Andy
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