i just purchased NAD S200 few days ago and i love it! However, my system is not done yet, as you can see my 20-year-old Marantz is clearly the weakest link. CDP is the only source i'll be using. there are several options i'm considering and i'd like to hear from you! 1. buy the matching NAD S100 preamp. don't have to worry about system-matching and it's (yes!) silver-colored. but at $1500, maybe i can do better than NAD S100? 2. buy some other active or passive preamp? but there are so many gigs out there and i don't know where to start! 3. Sell Rega and buy a CDP that has volume control and connect directly to poweramp. I know Mark L 390 is a nice CDP with analogue volume built-in. But it's way too expensive. any alternative? 4. Buy external DAC that has a volume control and connect directly to my poweramp. is there such a gig? (throw names, please...) i guess that's about it. any suggestion welcomed and appreciated! thanx for looking
Yo Jealouse, Rega is a great player. I stopped using my preamp when I started using my Theta Miles direct to amp. Their non-balanced version can be had on A-gon for 1000 to 1200. Pre-amp wise I agree with Sugarbrie. You can listen to the Miles over at my place anytime. -Karl
Here are a couple links from AudioAdvisor for the Creeks (Check their demo page for deals). You would not want to get a DAC. It would make your Rega a waste of money.
You could look at the Creek OBH-10 preamp. It is so passive it is basically just a volume control. It will not color the signal from you CD source. It only has one input. Sell for around +/- $250 brand new or get a used one. There is also the OBH-12 with three inputs for $299.
