Yup. Until you've danced, you can't describe the floor. Sometimes it's good, sometimes it's bad. I just decided to go with an ARC LS-16-for better or worse. I've had some of your negatives, and have sometimes been able to resolve them with a pre amp-even tho it's not politically correct at the moment. Best of luck, Racers
TUBE PRE-AMP OR PASSIVE LINE STAGE ?
gentlemen- do i need a pre-amp ? i'm presently using a AA ddev3.0 dac as volume control. i'm very happy with my system but the dac is the weakest link and i can't help but wonder what my system wouls sound like if i reduced/replaced it's function with a pre-amp or line stage. i want to enhance dynamics, smoothness w/o reducing transparency. it can sound slightly hard when pushed hard. i looking at either the fi y tube pre-amp or the f.t. audio lw-1 passive line stage. my concerns are: that the passive will be sp transparent that the limitations of my dac will be even further revealed. that the tube pre-amp will veil the presentation; every pre-amp system i've heard has sounded like something was between me and the music ! thanks mike