Bought powerful/expensive Amp+Speakers but plan to use an old preamp , am I crazy?


Please hear me out.

I got back into the hi-fi game after a hiatus and chanced upon some gear I have always wanted, for a great price, so I jumped on it... which resulted in no budget left for a pre-amp!

Purchased gear, yet to arrive:
Amp: McIntosh MC-452
Speakers: Paradigm Persona 3F

Sources that I already own:
Analog: Linn Sondek LP12
Digital : Oppo UDP203 / Bluenode 2i

 

I have an old NAD-1155 Pre-Amp lying around that i simply love!! It has one of the best phono stages I have come across among all the pre-amps I’ve owned. So I’m hoping I can use the NAD as an interim arrangement, before I can save up for a better pre-amp.

My question is rather simplistic, would the NAD cause any problems when paired with the Big MAC, in terms of compatibility and/or sonic abilities?

Besides it being a dirt cheap component (relatively speaking), nothing tells me it can’t be used, but I need someone to chime in and tell me I’m not being too naive or optimistic!

 

Edit: Link to the Preamp - https://www.hifiengine.com/manual_library/nad/1155.shtml

 

bugsnest

if you listen to rock makes little or no difference.

u work in loud factory?

The NAD works, great! Save your money for something better, soo many good  choices out there.......

Listen, after you swap in the new gear, continue to listen to the NAD.  If you still love it, keep it.  If not, well, there is your next upgrade.  Don't get caught up in the "I have to upgrade completely game."  I have an old Audionics BT2 preamp whose phone stage sounds as good as my old ARC 6 stage, among the best ever.  Good enough to go into a system tied with my "best" system on phono.

If you are using a MC cartridge (you didn't mention what you have), a good quality external phono stage would be a big improvement.