2. amps-preamps
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Warmish SS pre:Rowland Synergy IIi preamp/others?

I am looking for a slightly warmish SS pre. I have pretty much narrowed it down to a pre in the $2000-$3000 used range. The best preamp I have yet tried (solid state) is a Classe CP-700, but it is out of my price range, used. I am looking at a CP-500, amongst others. What about the Rowland Synergy IIi? I couldn't find much around here. Pass X-1 was another option, but I was worried that it might be a little thin. I don't want a really thin sound, but something akin to a slight tube "ease" and musicality, but in a SS preamp. The Classe was very nice, and about the sound I was looking for. Other suggestions?

After listening to several preamps, I have come to the conclusion that a tube pre just won't work in my system. Every one I have tried has produced audible (at the listening position) hiss. This includes some very well regarded units up to $6K retail. Efficient speakers and 1v input sensitivity of the amp seems to be amplifying the background tube hiss. I listened to an I had a previous thread going, but that was before I had listened to some stuff and knew about the sound I was going for.

Amps are McCormack DNA-125 Rev. Gold, nice detailed SS sound, but still full.
chiho

Showing 3 responses by guidocorona

guidocorona
4,298 posts
 
If I remember correctly, McCormack DNA-125 Rev. Gold may have a relatively low input impedance (perhaps 8K Ohms?). . . if that were so, best match will be with pres with very low output impedance, regardless of tubes or SS. Vintage Rowland devices are expected to sound 'warmer' than current models. . . and per the published specs the Synergy may fit the req of low output impedance at only 80 Ohms balanced. See:
http://jeffrowland.com/ClassicSpecs.htm#Synergy
guidocorona
4,298 posts
 
Chiho, have you considered newer pres within the JRDG product line? As I have written abundantly elsewhere, I am incredibly fond of the Rowland Capri. I can't make a personal comparison with the Synergy, as I haven't auditioned Synergy. . . but according to Mr. Rowland, Capri exceeds performance characteristics of the Synergy. Capri sounds very extended and linear with complex harmonic development. It does sound eminently musical and enjoyable to my ears, without IMO sounding 'warm' per se. . . as such, I would not characterize it as tuby per se, although it shares the sense of audible 'ease' of some tube designs. Pricewise, used Capris on Audiogon appear to be listed well below Synergy II offerings. Guido
guidocorona
4,298 posts
 
Chiho, Capri is not a digital pre. . . I believe it operates in class A and is based on the TI Burr Brown differentially balanced OPA1632 op-amp. Personally, I prefer it over my own ARC Ref 3 in all parameters, except for staging and imaging, where IMO the two devices are comparable instead. I know of only 1 (capsule) online review of Capri, which is suggestive of a foreshortened break in period because of mixed comments about resolution, frequency extension and staging/imaging.
http://www.audioenz.co.nz/2007/rowland_capri-102.shtml
I'd love to read other reviews of Capri. . . but I haven't seen too many. . . except for my own Audiogon freewheeling ramblings. For what it matters, I used Capri as my reference pre in my print review of the Vienna Mahler speakers on issue 188 of The Absolute Sound (December 2008). G.
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