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
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.
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.
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- 17 posts total
- 17 posts total