DancingSea
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So any who, time rolls on and various ideas pop in my head. I currently have the Marantz SACD 30n (digital hub) --> ZBox --> Marantz Model 30 (essentially a reissue of the KI Ruby, NCore Class D integrated). And the Magnepan LRS.
I've reached #174 on the waitlist for the ZRock 2, about 4 months out.
But since way back I've had the inkling to have a tube preamp to go with a solid state amp. The idea being to have the airy, holographic, er, organic feeling of tubes with a SS amp that can drive the LRS (and therefore just about any speaker). And I've read that the tube pre with SS amp is a desirable arrangement in many circles. I don't "need" a CSP3, but I have a disease which makes me want lots of audio gear that I don't own, even though my current system sounds amazing, but apparently "amazing" isn't quite good enough 😇 .... I'm also curious like a cat.
The Marantz Model 30 can be set to be a power amp only. In that mode, its preamp shuts down entirely along with all of its preamp functionality. I've checked the impedance specs, and at least on paper, the CSP3 should connect with no problem.
What threw me off this track way back was the lack of a remote for the CSP3 without having to buy the Z switch box.
However, the Marantz SACD 30n has its own volume control and has the option to connect via variable output. Meaning it can act as a line stage volume control. Is there any reason why I couldn't set the CSP3 master volume to maximum and simply control volume through the SACD 30n? I think this volume would function the same as using the DirectStream as a line stage volume control, right?
When I owned the DirectStream Junior, I used to run it directly into the PS Audio S300 power amp and use the DSJ for volume control.
Thoughts? Does the CSP3 create a more holographic airy experience?
Thanks
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