The TAD-150 is a very nice pre, especially for the price. Lots of detail and good low-end control. Not something always associated with tubes. It really fit well with the McCormack amp. If you're looking at pre-amps under $1500-$1800, tube or solid state, I'd give the TAD a listen.

I forgot to mention that I also have a Behringer digital EQ. Keep in mind that I'm one of those people who thought the shortest signal path was ALWAYS the best. But this thing is amazing. It basically corrects for room errors at your listening position. In my room it's like focusing a camera lens. When I bypass the eq, it's out of focus and fuzzy when I put it back in the signal path everything snaps in to focus. More detail, more space, etc. And I don't mean "oh I think I hear a little difference", I mean "holy crap! how did I think that sounded good before?". It is the single biggest improvement I've made in my system. And it only cost $265. Do a search on it and then if you're not convinced buy it from someplace with a 30-day return policy, that's what I did, but you won't return it.

ecruz May 02, 2006 20:24

How would you describe you TAD pre?

jlind325is May 01, 2006 20:08

I may be considering it down the road. It's a little pricey for me right now. I would love to get an integrated, but to find one that competes with what I have, is going to cost a lot.

Yes, the Nomad is sexy. Probably more than I need for the trails here in Michigan but it does look sweet. Although I do like the simplicity of the single pivot on my Superlight.

ecruz April 28, 2006 19:25

Nice gear. i am not familiar with that source but i will check it out. The Nomad does look like a very sweet ride. The curvy top tube is sooo sexy. I am still new to the hifi world so i havent owned many pieces of equipment. I started out with a NAD t-753 reciever, i thought i was going to go the HT route at first. That reciever was good for what it was in my opinion. After falling in love with 2 channel i decided to go that route. A very nice decision i might add. :) I then bought the Bryston 2B-SST thats in my pics. I was using a loaner PS Audio PCA-2 pre with the Bryston. My dealer loaned me the BAT since i wasnt liking the neutral/brightness i was hearing. I prefer a warm smooth sound. The BAT is an impressive piece of gear to my ears. Very good soundstage, tight controlled bass and gobs of detail without being overly bright or fatiguing. That amp has yet to sound the least bit stressed while listening at high volumes or complicated passages. While listening to a Roger Waters album i was hearing much more low level detail than with the Bryston/PS. There was whispering that i hadnt heard before, always a good sign. Although it has a tube linestage it still didnt have the warmth that i love. And it carries a too big for me price tag. I think that if a person wants an amp that is on the warmer side of neutral but not too warm then this would be a definate consideration. I do have one other gripe about it and its the remote, everytime you hit a button it clicks. To me it was a little annoying but since i have a universal remote it would be a non existent annoyance if i owned the amp. Are you considering one? Justin

jlind325is April 28, 2006 19:10

What are your thoughts on the BAT VK-300SE? What other amps have you had?

ecruz April 28, 2006 15:36

My Superlight is a 2000, I bought it in June of '00. I usually put about 1000 miles per year on it. Last year I had to replace the bearings in the swingarm for the first time, but other than that, the frame has been perfect. I think the Santa Cruz Nomad looks pretty sweet too.

My source is a TRL modded Sony 900. If you're not familiar with it do a search, it's amazing. I have a TAD-150 tube pre-amp, a McCormack DNA 1 amp and Vandersteen 2ce speakers. Interconnects and speaker cables are Usher. Power cables are PS Audio Lab II on the amp and Signal cables on the pre & cd.

ecruz April 28, 2006 14:47

Wow, nice job. I feel the same with my bike, i dont really upgrade i just replace. My Bullit is an '01 and its feeling its age, i think when its time to buy a new mountain bike i will probably go with the Bullit again. But the VP free is a sweet ride as well. So whats your system consist of?

jlind325is April 27, 2006 21:57

I've already got about 300 trail miles in this year. Trails are in great shape here in Michigan. Last year the weather was so bad that I didn't even have 100 miles in by the first of June.

The difference between the two hobbies for me, is I never want to upgrade my bikes. I LOVE the Superlight and the other two serve their purposes. If my Superlight died, I'd go buy another one just like it. My wife always says, why can't you be satisfied with your stereo equipment like you are with your bikes?

ecruz April 27, 2006 19:01

Yes i am as a matter of fact. Thats the godfather of freeriding, Wade Simmons. I own a Santa Cruz Bullit. I personally love single pivot designs, they work great and are simple. I rode a Heckler before deciding on the Bullit. I live near the 'Shore and Whistler so the extra travel was a must. I just bought a Trek 1000 road bike to keep me in shape as well. Why do we love expensive hobbies? Thanks for noticing, and go for a ride its the season!!

jlind325is April 27, 2006 00:05

I noticed a Rocky Mountain Bicycle poster in one of the pics. Are you a mountain biker? That's my other hobby. I've got a Santa Cruz Superlight, a Cannondale Killer V900 hardtail and a Dean road bike (steel).

ecruz April 26, 2006 20:38

i had to put those strips there so the stand was more stable. The berber carpet dosent allow the all-thread to sink into it like regular carpet. I need to buy some acorns like you have or buy some threaded heavy feet. im enjoying the room more and more each time i listen. the BAT is a definate step in the right direction, although i would like a more colored/warmer sound. I will see what Erik has to offer. I think i will be going with a tube integrated amp.

jlind325is April 24, 2006 21:38

Very nice bro, You'll have to keep us posted on the sound of the new room. Whats with the MDF under your rack?

j_green April 24, 2006 19:17

System edited: Moved into a new room the other day. It has to function as a living room as well as my new audio room. Currently i am very pleased with my new found width and depth but bass is a little soft. Many hours of tweaking placement layb ahead. The BAT was finally ready to demo this weekend and i am very impressed. More thoughts later as i get familiar with my new enviroment.

jlind325is April 23, 2006 01:55

After a couple weeks of listening to the new combonation of gear i know somthing needs to be changed. Somthing is not synergizing wiht somthing else. The music is uninvolving for me at this point, it dosent feel as if i am there in the music like i was before. i feel that the PS pre amp might be the culprit. I will be demoing a BAT VK300xSE in a week or so that should tell me what piece of equipment needs to be swapped. My ear has grown in leaps and bounds through this last iteration of my gear, i feel that i really know what i want to hear. So the journey continues.....

jlind325is April 08, 2006 18:58

System edited: New gear has been added. Shortly after the NAD went T.U. the amp arrived. Not quite in audiophile nirvana but close. I need to do some very necessary tweaking of speaker placement and interconnect swapping. Next upgrade a better place to live!

jlind325is March 25, 2006 01:58

I about had a coronary last night! The NAD had frozen up for the second time, it wouldnt repsond to anything not even the power button on the front panel. So the only thing to do to unfreeze it was to pull the plug. I waited about fifteen minutes after unplugging to replug it in. I hit the power button to turn it on and it makes a switching noise like the output stage is turning on and off. it makes this noise for about 1 second then POP!! I think to myself did the f-ing NAD just kill my vons? i was in a panic as i scrounged another receiver from upstairs to hook the vons up to. As i plug the vons in and hit the power on the "new" reciever i get music. R-E-L-I-E-F!! i had sound and no buzzing or nothing that seemed out of the ordinary. That was one of the most gut wrenching experinces i have ever had. I think the NAD knew she was going to be replaced soon. Lets hope my amp isnt in customs too long! life without music is no kind of life.

jlind325is March 14, 2006 19:54

Steve-Thanks for the kind words. I am enjoying my system so much more now after rearranging my room that i could cancel the order on the amp and be happy for months too come. However i am a man of my word and look VERY forward to the new additions. I feel like i am at a stage where this system is nearly complete(how often do audiophiles say that?). All thats left is for me to snatch up all the vinyl i can and just listen. Justin

jlind325is March 05, 2006 22:21

I just got thru reading the responses and viewing your system. Sounds like you are enjoying your system and having a blast putting it together. Congrats on enjoying the hobby the way it was intended. My only suggestion is know when to say when. I finally got to the point where I don't throw money at my system any longer. I just enjoy what I have been blessed with and enjoy the music. Until then, enjoy the journey!!

Steve

wwwrecords March 04, 2006 01:27

Very nice bro. That turn tt looks good for the bucks spent. Can't wait till ya get the bryston and the new cables. I bet you'll be in audio nirvana. ahh... the days of disposable income, I'll be there once again in the hopefully not too distant future. Love ya, and Zeke says Hi

j_green March 03, 2006 05:05

System edited: Added vinyl to the system. Plain and simple....why did i start with digital? Soundstage is in a new level now and i finally have depth. Working on placement of the vons now, still cant get them close to the side walls due to furniture. Bass is still suffering. Hoping to have a dedicated room in the not to distant future. Bryston should be arriving within mid-month. I am very happy with what i am hearing now and cant wait to hear seperates.

jlind325is March 03, 2006 03:17

I am very happy with what my system now but i made the decision to upgrade while i can. I dont beleive i will be able to do much upgrading for a year or so im doing it now. Im also going to give vinyl a try(im sure i will be in love). I decide on with the help from my dealer a Bryston 2B SST for the amp, i will be demoing a PS Audio PCA-2 pre that i might purchase down the road if it mates well with the Bryston. For the turntable im going the very cheap route for now, a Project Debut III. $300 for table cartridge and tonearm, im not expecting to be blown away with this table but like i said it is a stepping stone to make sure i really want to get into vinyl. i dont really know anything about setting up the player(if sure my dealer will help) so if any of you have any suggestions i would love to hear them. i expect all the goodies to be in my room in a week or so. Im also moving soon and will hopefully have a room where i can actually play with speaker placement. Justin

jlind325is February 24, 2006 20:14

i would safely say that my power cables have their recommended 100 hours of break in time. i was so impressed by these cables right out of the box and they have matured very nicely. The restricted top end that i was hearing is now gone. the bass went from good to even better. I am hearing so much more definition than before and it is alot punchier. i was listening to one of my Tool albums and i was hearing things that i hadnt heard before. all in all these cables are one of the best upgrades i have made.

jlind325is February 15, 2006 20:57

Thanks Bill i really enjoyed reading it. Youve inspired me even more to hold off on upgrading for a while. I hope to be moving soon and be able to have a dedicated room. Maybe having a real room will be what i need to be happy for years to come like you were. Thanks again and congrats on nirvana. i hope to be there sooner than later. I am focusing on expanding my software now, there is so much good music out there that i am getting exposed to. Thanks again Justin

jlind325is February 05, 2006 20:49

Short version: I've been actively re-engaged over ABOUT the last year and a half, after having given up for several years. The long version is in the footnote below, and you may or may not want to read it.

--Bill

FOOTNOTE:

Long version: I really started back in my teens (late 70's,) listening to such things as Allison and AR90 loudspeakers, and persisted until I had my first decent system in the late 80's, which included a Parasound Receiver with preamp outputs, a B&K ST140, an Onkyo Integra CD changer, and Paradigm 9SE speakers.

I really liked that system, but still continued to look around. I never found anything that compelled me to upgrade. Then, one day I went to several stores in the Chicago area where my sister lives. I heard a LOT of expensive speakers, but one stood head and shoulders above the rest: The Audio Physic Calderas, which retailed at the time for 20,000 dollars but were offered for "only" $10,000, which I still couldn't afford, plus I'd have needed to upgrade all my electronics.

The Calderas continued to be my "holy grail", except for the price. I listened to a lot of other speakers, and some sounded nice, but none blew me away like the Calderas had. I gave up for several years because I couldn't find a speaker that imaged as well as the Audio Physic Calderas had, and I thought that the huge entertainment center (which suddenly was present one day after I got home from work......) would ruin the imaging anyway. To this day, I still don't remember saying "yes" to that huge "thing......

Anyway, my curiosity was finally piqued by some of the listings on Audiogon. I finally ended up with Paradigm Studio 100 V 3's and a Rel Storm 3, driven by the B&K ST 140 amplifier, and initially, the Parasound as a preamp. The dealer was meticulous in setting up the system and actually got them to image to the center fairly well. The upgrade path continued from that point until now, a point where it would be extremely expensive to get improvements in already phenomenal sound. I'm at Audiophile Nirvanna, and the only reason to upgrade now would be to "push the envelope" to see what's possible sonically. I never thought that I'd get to this level of sound at the overall price I paid, even though it's still a lot of money in absolute terms.

The speakers were the biggest steal, even at 5,000 dollars. I know that sounds like a crock of sh--, but they're just amazing. I wrote a review about the loudspeakers because I love them so much, and felt others should at least be TOLD about them. I think they're probably even better than the Calderas were, even about a decade later and at one fourth the price. I sure as hell wouldn't trade them straight up for a pair of mint Calderas unless I did a LOT of extended listening, A/B, and the Calderas were somehow to end up on top, which I doubt would happen.

mdhoover February 03, 2006 21:35

LOL, i will make a note about the note. Those are some beastly stands!! So how long have you been into home audio?

jlind325is February 03, 2006 19:51