Preamp selections 2 channel

[Irvrobinson]

Hey Irv, that really doesn't look bad at all and the price is right on it. So, you highly recommend this player?

Have you seen the CD-200i with the iPod dock? Dang, if iPod would play FLAC files, that would be one heck of a CD player!

I would almost consider the ipod dock model and use my old gen 4 ipod as a music server, with some CD playback on the side.

I recommend it as a CD transport. I use the digital output to feed a DAC/preamp combination, because I like to reduce the number of line amplification stages and cables in the single path. For me the Tascam wouldn't work as a player, since I insist on using only XLR connectors for analog. I don't even know if the DAC technology is SOTA, since I don't use it. I'm sure it sounds fine, but I've never listened to it through the analog output.

I can say that it loads a CD faster than any BD or DVD player does. The drawer mechanism has been smooth and reliable, and I like the big, easy to use standard play/pause/stop/open square control buttons. The remote is so-so in terms of readability, but it works reliably at 30 feet. The display is also relatively unobtrusive in a darkened room.

Frankly, I think the price is a bit high for what you get, compared to a DVD player for example, but using a DVD player as a transport annoys me. And the Tascam will probably last for many years. I've seen the model with the iPod dock, but Tascam disables the digital output with iPods, which cut off my interest. I don't know of anyone who owns one.

 

[ematthews]

Look what came in today. Can't wait to hook it all up and have a listen tonight!

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

Beauty (P5) and the Beast (AT2000).

 

[ematthews]

Ha.. Funny thing is, I called Parasound today to ask something about the preamp. He asked what amp I was running and I said ATI 2000 and he said that's a clean beast!
The P5 would really look good with the A21 however.

 

[jinjuku]

Hook 'errrrrrr up. Nice looking Pre.

 

[ematthews]

At home and its playing some nice Steven Wilson tracks from Blackfield. So far I can tell this is way better than the Emotiva set up. Robert at Parasound told me to give it a little while and it should sound even better.
After the initial set up using the crossovers at 80 on both, I found the sub a little lean. So I turned down the main to around 50 and turned off the sub crossover. This sends a full signal like a normal preout.. Much better too. Is this OK to have it set this way?

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

At home and its playing some nice Steven Wilson tracks from Blackfield. So far I can tell this is way better than the Emotiva set up. Robert at Parasound told me to give it a little while and it should sound even better.
After the initial set up using the crossovers at 80 on both, I found the sub a little lean. So I turned down the main to around 50 and turned off the sub crossover. This sends a full signal like a normal preout.. Much better too. Is this OK to have it set this way?

So you turned off the XO on the P5 and using the Sub's XO instead? Did you set the Sub's XO @ 80Hz also ? That should work.

 

[ematthews]

So you turned off the XO on the P5 and using the Sub's XO instead? Did you set the Sub's XO @ 80Hz also ? That should work.

Correct. I am still toying with it and probably will for the next few days. I just switched the P5 back on, turned the cross over up a little to have more low end from the sub.

 

[sharkman]

At home and its playing some nice Steven Wilson tracks from Blackfield. So far I can tell this is way better than the Emotiva set up. Robert at Parasound told me to give it a little while and it should sound even better.

Sweet, I'm glad it worked out better for you, it's frustrating when you're just not happy after all that research and such. It took me 2 years to realize that Emotiva didn't work for me. I'll have the P7 in 5 or 6 days.

 

[PENG]

At home and its playing some nice Steven Wilson tracks from Blackfield. So far I can tell this is way better than the Emotiva set up. Robert at Parasound told me to give it a little while and it should sound even better.
After the initial set up using the crossovers at 80 on both, I found the sub a little lean. So I turned down the main to around 50 and turned off the sub crossover. This sends a full signal like a normal preout.. Much better too. Is this OK to have it set this way?

I hope it sounds better than the Marantz too, yes?

 

[ematthews]

I hope it sounds better than the Marantz too, yes?

Honest answer... Need to listen a little more. Hard to beat the Marantz sound.

 

[PENG]

Honest answer... Need to listen a little more. Hard to beat the Marantz sound.

My 35 years old pair (a gift) still sound as good as anything so I can agree to that for sure. So I take it that at least there isn't night and day kind of difference otherwise you won't have to listen more. It also means the Parasound/ATI pair is hard to beat.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

My 35 years old pair (a gift) still sound as good as anything so I can agree to that for sure. So I take it that at least there isn't night and day kind of difference otherwise you won't have to listen more. It also means the Parasound/ATI pair is hard to beat.

And one amp doesn't sound as "harsh" or "warm" or "forward" or "clinical" or "chocolaty" ?

It's like eating 2 exquisite superb succulent filet mignon of lamp chops. Both are very satisfying.

 

[ematthews]

My 35 years old pair (a gift) still sound as good as anything so I can agree to that for sure. So I take it that at least there isn't night and day kind of difference otherwise you won't have to listen more. It also means the Parasound/ATI pair is hard to beat.

And I have adjustments to make to both the Ascends and the sub. The Marantz was a full signal out to both. I did get a better sound out last night by lowering the mains to around 60 from 80 and increasing the sub from 80 to about 120.. Now it's blending a bit better with the sub.

 

[ematthews]

A few weeks in and this ATI 2000 Amp and Parasound P5 pre are kicking...... Loving the music every night.

 

[RichB]

A few weeks in and this ATI 2000 Amp and Parasound P5 pre are kicking...... Loving the music every night.

That's what it is all about

- Rich

 

[sharkman]

Right on! I might have mentioned, I've got that new gear feeling myself these days so I know what you're experiencing with the upgrade in sonics. How do you like the Sierras?

 

[cpp]

And one amp doesn't sound as "harsh" or "warm" or "forward" or "clinical" or "chocolaty" ?

It's like eating 2 exquisite superb succulent filet mignon of lamp chops. Both are very satisfying.

I like chocolaty and sweet with a hint of neutral tones

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

I like chocolaty and sweet with a hint of neutral tones

Man, you are out of control.

That's what retirement does to a guy - spins him out of control.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

That's what it is all about

What? The Hokey Pokey?