Gents I have a older ('95) Arcam D290 Integrated Amp.
For the last few years I'v been running it with a Tube pre.
Because It sounds MUCH better with it's Pre out of circuit.
It's my understanding (?) that this Integrated (like most) is just a Sensitive Power Amp with a Tone control setup passing as the Pre section.. a view substantiated by the massive padding required to to get my outboard pre to work with it.
Now I'm wondering that if I "upgrade' the NE 5534's and TL 107's in the Tone/pre section would I get significant improvements ? .. enough to allow enabling the 'pre' section ..unplugging my Tube pre and using the D290 as an intergrated again??
Yes this leads into which OpAmp is 'best' areas...
But the Ne5534's Are almost a 2 decade old design. Help? opinions Happily recieved / considered
For the last few years I'v been running it with a Tube pre.
Because It sounds MUCH better with it's Pre out of circuit.
It's my understanding (?) that this Integrated (like most) is just a Sensitive Power Amp with a Tone control setup passing as the Pre section.. a view substantiated by the massive padding required to to get my outboard pre to work with it.
Now I'm wondering that if I "upgrade' the NE 5534's and TL 107's in the Tone/pre section would I get significant improvements ? .. enough to allow enabling the 'pre' section ..unplugging my Tube pre and using the D290 as an intergrated again??
Yes this leads into which OpAmp is 'best' areas...
But the Ne5534's Are almost a 2 decade old design. Help? opinions Happily recieved / considered