Advice re preamp

[miatadan]

In the last few months I have updated system...

Now added McIntosh D1100 in Dac mode, upgraded turntable to Technics SL-1500C direct drive.

Does it make sense to keep the McIntosh C70 as preamplifier when the D1100 can be used as preamplifier?

Dan

[brownbear]

Yes, if you want to keep using your turntable. The D1100 is a digital preamp.

[John Jordan]

Dan-

Nice sound machine you have there!

The best thing to do is take the C70 out of the loop and see how you like the sound of the D1100 on its own.

That said...

1. Will this then require a phono pre-amp for you turntable?

2. I personally really like the tube sound. Especially on a pre amp with a solid state amp. Based only on speculation I think taking the tube pre amp out of the equation will produce a dryer or as some say, leaner sound.

Do let us know your preferences!

[miatadan]

Originally Posted by John Jordan

Dan-

Nice sound machine you have there!

The best thing to do is take the C70 out of the loop and see how you like the sound of the D1100 on its own.

That said...

1. Will this then require a phono pre-amp for you turntable?

2. I personally really like the tube sound. Especially on a pre amp with a solid state amp. Based only on speculation I think taking the tube pre amp out of the equation will produce a dryer or as some say, leaner sound.

Do let us know your preferences!

I thought about the tube sound and remembered that I was not really happy with the sound of the C47 preamp.

Earlier system 10 years ago was the C2300 + MC302 because I liked the combination of tubes for pre but solid state amplifier.

Needless to say the D1100 as a dac outperforms the Bel Canto dac 1.5, the Cambridge CXN v2 and Naim ND5 XS

Weak point is using Sonos connect....thinking for a while use my 2018 Mac Mini with USB as a streamer.

Dan

[John Jordan]

Dan-

Sounds like you should keep the C70.
A Mac Mini can make for a very good music server. I used a 2010 MacBookPro with Amarra software for a while and although the Bryston is better, the MacBk certainly held its own.
You can also use the headphone output with a Toslink cable.
Be cautious with various devices on the market to "clean up" computer sound. Costs can add up and improvements vary.

[McGuyDLF]

Interesting issue. I'm following. I have a C47 at the moment, but bought a C2500 tube pre that should be here tomorrow paired with my SS MC402...hoping to hear a nice difference with a tube/ss setup

[RaceCarDriver]

I think you should sell the C70 and toss in a matching C1100 to go with that D1100

[Jdsmoke]

Originally Posted by RaceCarDriver

I think you should sell the C70 and toss in a matching C1100 to go with that D1100

This would be a substantial upgrade