Macallan

Will using a Y connectoer degrade the stereo image? I have read that it will.

That would be great, how about a second set of outputs for the sub?

I would like some suggestions for a tubed preamp with HT bypass and a remote for my RF-7 B&K 200.2 combo. I have heard great things about the Peach but no remote and I would like a second set of outputs. The Modwright SWL has everything but i have not heard it. Also Rogue has come out with a new tubed preamp for $1700 that looks promising. I would like to spend around 2-2.5K and want a warm sound. Supratek Chardonnay is another possibility but it requires 2 slots on my audio rack becuase of a large power supply.

If the Peach is left ON while in HT Bypass mode does this shorten the life of the tubes? Or does the only happen in 2 channel mode? I would use the HT mode primarliy during the week and the 2 channel mode on the weekends, should i keep it on all the time?

Has anyone heard this tube preamp? It has great reviews on several sites, has anyone used it with RF-7?

I have asked before opinions on a tubed preamp with HT bypass and the Peach has been the overwhelming favorite, however I would really like a remote for the volume. Both the TAD-150 and the Modwright SWL 9.0SE have a remote and also get great reviews. I do not need a phono stage, just a good tube preamp with HT bypass and preferably a remote. Has anyone heard the TAD-150 or the Modwright? I know that the Peach is great but are these comparable?

Not trying to avoid them, have never owned tubes and don't know about the maintenance aspect.

Any 2 channel preamp suggestions with an HT bypass mode? I am highly considering the Peach by JM audio but want to look at all my options. Music Fidelity makes one for about $2500, PS Audio for about 2k, VTL, I would actually prefer a really good solid state but will go tube if i must.

Thanks for all the input, I have RF-7 speakers, B&K 200.2 amp and a Yamaha 2300 as a pre/ amp for my center and rears. I plan on using the HT bypass feature on the Peach so i can continue to use the Yamaha for HT and upgrade my 2 channel system for music. I am pretty sure I will buy the Peach first and then look at the Dec-685 later. I already have the Sony 685 that is required for the Dec-685 uprade so I will most likely go that route and not another tube CDP. I also read about a product called the Zbox from Decware which is an external device that is supposed to enhance your CDP. But i don't really understand how it improves the sound.

I am considering purchasing a JM Peach to upgrade my 2 channel listening, as I am currenlty using a Yamaha 2300 as a pre. I also have read good reviews about a tube modification for my Sony 685 CD player called the Dec-685 from Decware. My question is if I can only do one upgrade, which will make the most difference, the preamp or the cd? My thoughts are that the Peach will make the most difference, but how important is upgrading the CD player?

Has anyone heard the Peach B&K combo?

I am considering adding a Juicy Music Peach to my system for 2 channel listening. I am currently using an B&K Reference 200.2 and a Yamaha 2300 as a pre with RF-7s as mains. Has anyone used the Peach with the B&K? How do they sound together? How noticable of an improvement will the Peach make over my Yamaha?

Thank you for the response. I gues it does not matter which signal L or R that I split? Also in HT mode, if I were to have the sub out directly from my reciever into the sub, would I need a second Y at the sub? How exactly does everything connect to the Sub itself? Thanks.

I am considering purchasing a JM Peach to integrate into my HT system. My plan is to use my Yamaha 2300 receiver for HT and use the Peach as my 2 channel preamp with B&K amp driving my mains. This can be done using the Peach's HT bypass mode. My question is about my RSW-15 sub. When listening in 2 channel mode I would like to keep my sub, in a 2.1 set up. How can this be done? JM says that I could use run the HT Bypass out into the Sub and then run the outs on the sub into my B&K 200.2. Would this work? Will I still have use of the sub in HT bypass mode?

I spoke with the manufactures of Peach and I understand how to hook everything up except the sub. They mentioned maybe using a Y connector. How would this work? I am guess I would keep the sub connected to the Yamaha for HT mode and then also have a Y connector coming from the Peach to send the signal to both the RSW-15 and the B&K. Which side, L or R would I split for the sub or both? Does anyone have a preamp with HT bypass hooked up with the sub functional in 2 channel mode?

Great, that is what I thought. Do tube preamps require any kind of maintenance? Also what about my CD player is it ok?

I have been researching several options to upgrade my current system. I have a Yamaha 2300 driving my reference center and surrounds and a B&K 200.2 driving my RF-7s. I was very close to purchasing a Grand Theater IV from Sunfire but i can't justify the cost when I am really only looking to improve the 2 channel sound. I read about 2 channel amps that have an HT bypass which would allow me to keep my current Yamaha/B&K arrangement for movies and improve the 2 channel sound. My question is how does this work? How does everything connect? Secondly what is a good preamp for roughly $1,000? I have read great things about the Juicy Music Peach but have never owned tubes and don't know what kind of up keep a tube preamp would reguire. What are some good $1,000 - 1,500 preamps with an HT bypass (nothing used)? Also should i uprade my CD player first, I am using a Sony SACD/DVD changer, DVP-NC685V, about $250. If so what are some good CD players? I would like a universal player that can play both SACD and DVD-A, and care only about sound quality.

Thank you. Have you ever tried biwiring the RF-7s with the voltage and current taps? Also what kind of preamp do you use? Would the Grand Theater IV be better than the B&K Reference 50? Would they both be a noticable improvement from my Yamaha 2300?

I am considering an upgrade for my Reference series line up. I am currenlty using at B&K 200.2 to power my RF-7s and drive my front and rears with a Yamaha 2300. I was originally going to go with a B&K preamp and add another B&K amp but i have recently read a lot of great reviews about Sunfire. My question is would the 200~7 be plenty of power for my RF-7s or would the 400~7 add anything? Also I have read about biwiring them using the voltage and current taps. Has anyone done this? Lastly my reason for choosing Sunfire is largely becuase they run cool, would it be wise to use a B&K preamp (less expensive) and a Sunfire Amp?

Thank you, and after further investigation I am going to go with the separates, it seems that I cannot power my "B" speakers on my deck with the AVR -507 without an additional amp.

I have narrowed my decision to either the the B&K AVR 507, 150x7 or the B&K Reference 50 paired with the B&K 125.7. B&K claims that the AVR 507 uses the exact same preamp as the Reference 50. Buy going with the AVR I would gain 25wpc and it would save me much needed space in my cabinet. Are their any downsides to the AVR route? I will be using the B&K 200.2 to drive the RF-7 mains and the receiver to drive the rest. I do not want to go the 200.7 route because i don't have the space and can't justify the cost when i use my system for 80% music.

I use my system primarily for 2 channel music and only about 20% for movies, do i really need 200 wpc for the center channel and rears (in walls)?

That is correct, i used the Yamaha for about a year and was very pleased. I then added the B&K 200.2 for the mains and was even more pleased. I really use my system for music mainly so I don't know if I would want to buy the 200.7 but i will look into it. Anyone have experience with the B&K AVR507 receiver?

Has anyone heard the B&K Reference Pre/Amp with the B&K amp? I am using the B&K 200.2 now with a Yamaha 2300 as a Pre?

Yes they are called the Vantage, type the word into google and you can see them on the Tweeter website. I like everything i have heard about the K-horns better, i have just never actually heard them. How much would a good used pair cost? I know they are being re-issued in '06, what is the cost new?