Amp upgrade

[I-SIG]

How much of an upgrade would I be making if I went from my Parasound HCA-2200 to a Musical Fidelity A-300cr?

Are these MF amps bridgeable? I'm thinking no since they are dual mono.

Wes

[steveinaz]

Personally, I would consider it a move sideways. You wouldn't be gaining anything, but you would be losing output power....I'd think twice about it Wes.

[I-SIG]

That why I was thinking a source upgrade would get me farther. Thanks, Steve!

Wes

[steveinaz]

Absolutely, look at:

Ah! Njoe Toeb
Creek CD50MKII (this is what I would buy)
Jolida
Rega Jupiter

to name a few....

[hoosier21]

it might be cooler in your room with the MF

Ask me I would go for the MF

[jmierzur]

If you are looking to upgrade, I noticed a Sim Audio W-5 (http://www.canuckaudiomart.com/classifieds/amplifiers) for sale.

There is also a Sim Audio W-5 LE on audiogon.

[I-SIG]

Originally posted by jmierzur
If you are looking to upgrade, I noticed a Sim Audio W-5 (http://www.canuckaudiomart.com/classifieds/amplifiers) for sale.

There is also a Sim Audio W-5 LE on audiogon.

Anyone know if these are 4-ohm stable in bridged operation? They have a 2-ohm rating so I'mthinking they may be.

Wes

[steveinaz]

I think you're wasting your time upgrading the amp. You're gonna have to spend about 5 grand to get any noticeable performance increase over that Parasound.

Hell, spend $1,500 on a great CD Player instead--you'll get much more bang for your buck, and the change in qulaity will not be subtle...

Better yet:

Cambridge Audio Azur 640 (used as a transport)
Bel Canto DAC or MSB full nelson DAC

Thats a killer rig....

[I-SIG]

Thanks, Steve. I'm most likely gonna end up with a source upgrade, but I'm still asking. :)

What do you like about the Creek 50 MarkII player so much over the AH! player?

Wes

[steveinaz]

Just a very solid unit that is getting rave reviews from everyone. It uses a DVD transport to eliminate jitter--smart idea. I think it made stereophiles' "A" list too, which is never a bad thing.

One reviewer said "...it's about as close to perfect as digital gets..". Not a bad accolade for an under $1,300 CDP.

I'm a bit weary of tubed sources...I dunno, I like alot of detail and from what I've read on the topic, most reveiwers mention "slight loss of detail." I grew up on solid state and personally prefer its sound...HOWEVER, you should listen to tubed CD Player, you might like the effect.

[I-SIG]

Originally posted by steveinaz
I'm a bit weary of tubed sources...I dunno, I like alot of detail and from what I've read on the topic, most reveiwers mention "slight loss of detail." I grew up on solid state and personally prefer its sound...HOWEVER, you should listen to tubed CD Player, you might like the effect.

I was concerned about that after my experience with the tube preamp. I think my AA DLC preamp is a fairly warm piece of gear as is, but with better details than the tube pre. It seems a tubed source might bring the downside of tubes back into play for my gear a listening pleasures.

Thanks again.

Wes