Tarheel Posted September 17, 2021 Share Posted September 17, 2021 Would like some thoughts on a second system that will rarely get used at a second residence. The gear involved is a middle level, NAD CDP, two Teac R2Rs, a Denon DP-1250 turn table with Rega arm and a Ortofon Blue cartridge and home made LS/Altec speakers. For power the choices are an ATI 1502 amp (150wpc) with a Schiit SYS for volume control or a vintage Pioneer SX-950 (85wpc). The Pioneer has jacks for everything including a phono. The ATI has the power advantage but I would still need a phono pre to hook up to the SYS. Yes I will probably try both eventually but wondering which way you folks would bet on for superior sound? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bluesboy Posted September 17, 2021 Share Posted September 17, 2021 Hey Chuck how's everything in Wilmington? Good to hear you're going to be firing up the LaScala clones. Try to find a used Transcendent Sound phono preamp to use with the ATI amp. You will not be disappointed. I loaned the one I built to my buddy Bob to use with his Mac 225 and Cornwalls. He says his high end Micro Seiki TT has never sounded better. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
willland Posted September 17, 2021 Share Posted September 17, 2021 The ATI 1502 is a beast of an amp and definitely has the power advantage but if it were me, I would keep it simple and go with the Pioneer SX-950. Bill 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tarheel Posted September 17, 2021 Author Share Posted September 17, 2021 22 minutes ago, willland said: The ATI 1502 is a beast of an amp and definitely has the power advantage but if it were me, I would keep it simple and go with the Pioneer SX-950. Bill That's my thoughts Bill. One unit to hook everything up. Nothing to buy. I was at the point of looking at tube pre amps on usaudiomart everyday to hook up the ATI but then thought why. The ATI did really sound good when I had a Quicksilver pre but it aged out. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tarheel Posted September 17, 2021 Author Share Posted September 17, 2021 1 hour ago, bluesboy said: Hey Chuck how's everything in Wilmington? Good to hear you're going to be firing up the LaScala clones. Try to find a used Transcendent Sound phono preamp to use with the ATI amp. You will not be disappointed. I loaned the one I built to my buddy Bob to use with his Mac 225 and Cornwalls. He says his high end Micro Seiki TT has never sounded better. Hey Don I may look into that once I do some experimenting. I'll call you and Roy out on the left coast tomorrow. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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