Macrodynamic swings are huge, larger than my prior DACs when used directly with the Riviera amp, perhaps due to an improved tube stage and impedance matching.
FWIW my Pacific with 242's REALLY didn't like the Riviera AIC-10, my TotalDAC was a MUCH better match.
I assume it was an impedance mismatch, but I'd never heard such a dramatic impact on what the amp could do.
I'd borrowed the AIC, so I didn't try swapping output tubes on the Pacific, to see if that would fix it, since I know Output impedance is tube dependent.
I know the Horizon is much less picky in this regard.
The Pacific with the 242s puts out a whopping voltage. Most solid state preamps die a quick death here! You need a well designed tube preamp with a very high overload margin. Unless you have of course a PAC with a volume control!
The Pacific with the 242s puts out a whopping voltage. Most solid state preamps die a quick death here! You need a well designed tube preamp with a very high overload margin. Unless you have of course a PAC with a volume control!
this is not entirely correct, as the audionet Stern preamp and the analog domain integrated are solid states that performed extremely well with Lampi 242s. As did TAD preamp. And there are reports of it having done well with Soulution preamp as well
this is not entirely correct, as the audionet Stern preamp and the analog domain integrated are solid states that performed extremely well with Lampi 242s. As did TAD preamp. And there are reports of it having done well with Soulution preamp as well
Belatedly reading this interesting review and thread, I would add the CH Precision L10 to the list of SS preamps that are quite happy with the 242's in the Pacific. It was my favorite combo, by far, until the Horizon arrived.
