Separates...Please Advise

[hochpt21]

Now that we are moved into the new house, we have made a plan to move some electronics around and I am looking to go separates from my HK 3490. I am planning to put this system together by March when I will move the HK for deck/porch duty.

Music only.
40% squeezebox (100% MOG), 40% vinyl, 15% satellite box and 5% cds.

Budget...$1,000-$1,500
Needs...Preamp, DAC, Phono Pre

I am looking to go all used to get the most bang. I have had my eyes on the following...

Preamp - (Needs to be black and able to be controlled by Harmony One)
Adcom GFP-750
NAD C165BEE
Parasound Classic 2100

Phono Pre - (Would prefer tubes) (Grado Gold MM cart)
Jolida JD9
Pro-ject Tube Box S

DAC - (Need to hook up squeezebox, satellite box and maybe cd player)
Peachtree Dac-It
Cambridge Audio DacMagic 100

If anyone has any feedback on the above, or other components that would fit my needs and price range, that would be appreciated.

Thanks,
Paul

[cstmar01]

Well for the pre's I've owned the 750 and the parasound and there is no contest the 750 wins hands down and I'm sure would also beat out the NAD. I got a NAD integrated and the 750 paired with a good amp beat that.

Jolida is my pick for the phono stage and you can also mod it further with better caps etc so makes it extra nice. Its a larger box too which will offer more room for you if you want to mod it.

The DAC-it is a nice little DAC. I would have owned one but the store was sold out so I settled for my Arcam R Dac instead but I did like the sound of the DAC-it. The other unit is also nice so that is more of a toss up.

Also check out the Music Hall DAC. I have one that was modded and its a nice little peice for sure....

[hochpt21]

Yea, I'm pretty set on the 750, especially from the reviews around here.

Ideally, I would go gfp-750, jd9 and dac-it, but I would need to find them all at really good deals and then still be at the tippy top of my price range.

I am open to other suggestions.

[astar13656]

I have a DacMagic and I am pleased with it. Only DAC I have owned so I can't compare.

[EndersShadow]

Is there a reason the benchmark line hasn't been mentioned? It could combine your pre and DAC into one, with a tubed phono I would think you would be set.

I am not sure if the benchmarks work with the harmony one but bet the HDR does.....

[cnh]

Not sure on the DAC. But agree about the Adcom pre and the Jolida phono stage (that's a very well-received unit).

cnh

[hochpt21]

Is there a reason the benchmark line hasn't been mentioned? It could combine your pre and DAC into one, with a tubed phono I would think you would be set.

I am not sure if the benchmarks work with the harmony one but bet the HDR does.....

Interesting...I will research.

[hochpt21]

Is there a reason the benchmark line hasn't been mentioned? It could combine your pre and DAC into one, with a tubed phono I would think you would be set.

I am not sure if the benchmarks work with the harmony one but bet the HDR does.....

The HDR looks like the only one with remote. Lots of good reviews, although probably out of my budget.

[EndersShadow]

The HDR looks like the only one with remote. Lots of good reviews, although probably out of my budget.

Perhaps, but I would look to see what they go for used. More than likely a phono pre wouldnt be in the budget with one and I dont know how big a deal your TT is to your setup initially.

Personally I like it since you not only get a really good DAC (capable of higher rez playback than the Squeezebox) you also get a great pre with both balanced and unbalanced out so that opens you up to be able to use just about ANY amp out there.

[Toolfan66]

Pre and Dac in one!! W4S

http://www.wyred4sound.com/webapps/p.../117839/457975

[Amherst]

I am open to other suggestions.

Here's a great all in one solution with a quality built in DAC and phono stage and are on the cheap right now.
The Parasound C-2. Even though it is built for multi-channel it is an excellent two channel performer.
Have to give up on the black face though.

[hochpt21]

I've been doing a lot of research the past few weeks. An interesting combo that I think I could find used in my budget would be a Parasound Halo P3 and a Benchmark Dac1.

I would utilize the phono from the P3 for now.

I like the idea of being able to run balanced from the benchmark to the parasound to the B&K.

But if I understand the Dac1 correctly, I would only be able to plug the squeezebox via coax and the dish network receiver via optical. No connection for my Marantz 4001. Is that correct??

Any input on how that combo would work with my system??

Thanks,
Paul

[tonyb]

I would shoot for a used W4S dac2, at about 1100-1200, you can plug everything in and even use it as a pre if you wanted to.

[thsmith]

H1 does control the Dac 2 as well. I used it for a short time as a pre and liked it. Does balanced and unbalanced as well.

http://app.audiogon.com/listings/da-...des-plaines-il

Good Luck

[dhart86]

H1 does control the Dac 2 as well. I used it for a short time as a pre and liked it. Does balanced and unbalanced as well.

http://app.audiogon.com/listings/da-...des-plaines-il

Good Luck

Gotta agree with the W4S Dac 2. It's a great Dac and really good pre-in one. It does everything you needed

[hochpt21]

Only problem is that I listen to almost 50/50 vinyl/digital. I love and have a lot invested in my analog. With the W4S I would be at the top of my budget without a phono pre.

[hochpt21]

Thank you all for the valuable advice and suggestions.

Here is where I'm at...

I just purchased a Parasound P3. Reviews say that it has a decent phono section, which I'm sure is way better than the phono in my HK 3490, but I have found myself more dedicated to my vinyl rig, so I also purchased a PS Audio GCPH.

I am planning to run the GCPH balanced via the P3's direct 1 input and then the P3 balanced into the B&K.

I will then be picking up an entry-level dac to run unbalanced into the P3's direct 2 input.

All of this equipment is used, and I know a little long in the tooth, but I feel that this is another step up the ladder for me.

I am open to any and all thoughts about these units from current or previous owners.

[hochpt21]

Had to tear the system down for a week due to painting the living room. Just got (most) of it hooked back up and am listening to the Parasound for the first time.

This is my first dedicated pre.

I am listening to Pearl Jam Live At Benaroya Hall through the new dac and pre.

It simply sounds beautiful.

I am so happy right now.

This is awesome.

Just awesome.

[scottyboy76]

great feeling huh, congrats on building it right for what you can afford.

scott and deb