Thanks for the responses. I know that the Silverlines are going to be hard to beat without spending a whole lot more money, where I have to have them, anyway. I noted above that those were here to stay for a while. I only mentioned them for the sake of speculated system synergy.
I have been giving some thought to grabbing a tubed pre amp, but then also thought that my cheapie DAC might need upgrading. I wasn't sure, so posted this thread for some opinions.
I am a bang for the buck kind of guy, so I run all Blue Jeans cabling. |
Guys, I do appreciate the responses. The comments that I got regarding the DAC kind of puts me at ease on that front. I think I just had it stuck in the back of my head that I might be able to get a good bit of an improvement if I replaced my $150 DAC. Yes, I got it when they were trying to clear the isles for the XDA-2 and feel like I just about got it for free.
After having gotten the XDA-1, I did compare it to quite a few other, more expensive, DACs and wound up keeping the XDA-1.
As far as the Minuets go, I won't try to say that they are the best speakers in the world, because they do have their limitations; but they truly are small marvels. They've sounded the best in my system/set up and I've tried up to $2K a pair speakers.
I haven't tried high passing the minuets. My pre doesn't have a sub out; and besides, my sub is a REL and I run it using the Nutrik connector on the high end.
I've gotta say, though, I've been running the Minuets full range and they've taken all that I've thrown at them. These little things go pretty deep for what they are and they do it cleanly.
I'm also sort of glad that no one had anything bad to say about my prehistoric Aragon amp. I think it's a pretty nice amp.
The preamp is what I was thinking that I might upgrade; and as luck would have it, I started getting what sounds like static out of the right speaker. After a bit of diagnosis, it looks like it's the pre amp. I guess I'll start looking for a tube pre and get ready to take the NAD to the doc.
Thanks,
Tony |
How much power would I need in a tubed integrated? I know that part of the hype regarding the Minuets is that they can be run on a low powered tube amp, but they really come into their own with some power behind them. |
Ok, I was looking around for some tubed gear and came to the conclusion that tubes aren't for me. Not right now, anyway. All of my equipment has to go into the entertainment center. I'm guessing it's going to get hot in there.
As for what I want. I want it to sound better. I want it to sound more lifelike. I want it to bath me in rich tones.
Bob, I understand what you are saying about high passing the Minuets, but I'm kind of wondering if we are hearing the same thing out of the Minuets. When it comes to bass, the Minuets' only crime, as they say, is one of omission. I have yet to hear any distortion coming from the Minuets at any levels that I am comfortable with.
In any case, I will go to my local shop this weekend and see if they have an active crossover that I can borrow. |
Mapman,
I was thinking along the same lines that you are. I think that I could get away with a tubed pre for the reasons that you stated. I've always wanted something along the lines of an Audio Research piece. I just need to find one with remote control.
Bob,
I am getting what you are saying; and the more I think about it, the more sense it makes, especially with that three way speaker analogy.
So...what sort of crossovers are there available? I looked into the NHT X2, but can't find one. What else should I be looking at/for? |
Bob,
I hear what you are saying. When I first took an interest in "better than average" gear, I spent a lot of time in my local high end shop. I auditioned all sorts of stuff. Spent a bit of money too. In the end, I just settled for the best sound that I could get in MY room.
I do, however, have to admit that most of that was speaker selection. I have the little Minuets now and they are hear to stay for a while. They are the most forgiving speaker that I've tried.
As for the Pre/Pro, it's funny that you mentioned that. I was actually thinking along those line too, not too long ago, when an NAD T162 came up for sale. |
Bob,
Thanks for the information. I called my local guy and he does have a cross over that I could try, but he also said that if I like it, I'm SOL because he doesn't know where I can get a reasonably priced one that works well.
I have seen that Parasound has a classic pre amp with a bass management system built into it, but I don't know how this unit would compare to my NAD. |
I appreciate all of the info Bob. I think that a good crossover would probably be a worthwhile addition to my system.
I looked into the XM9 and there is a lot of information out there about modding them; although that makes me wonder why the need for modding exists.
The better units like the Bryston are just out of my range, price wise.
I'm going to look into trying to find a Hsu unit. |
Bob, that does look interesting. I don't know about building one. I don't even know if my soldering station still works.
I'm going to keep an eye out for a Hsu unit. |
Oh, I just got back from my local shop and checked out an NAD integrated. I think that what I heard sort of convinced me that my amp is what I need to be looking at; although I am looking around for a cross over. |
The problem is that there is no dealing with in-room response, in my system. My system is in the den and I have what I have, which is why I've had so much trouble finding just the right set of speakers to be able to make the most of what I have.
The Silverline Minuets have done an admirable job of "polishing a turd."
I'm still looking for a good deal on a decent crossover. That is my most immediate concern. I'm really curious to see how the Minuets behave when they are high passed. |
