Hey guys,been playing with my new zen amp and MG944's but because of my room acoustics the bass just gets swallowed up.So i'm pre amping from my Marantz 2285b into the zen so I can use the EQ and boost the bass.The difference is amazing,the speakers really come alive.My question ? Is this an abomination to the strict audiophile listening experience? I don't know what the wattage is coming out of the pre amp,but I'm going into a 2watt amp.
Excuse my ignorance.Any help would be appreciated.

Thanx for the quick rely Lon.I will continue with this setup 'till my mind changes and takes me in another direction or my tinnitus gets worse.Played a lot of loud rock n roll over the years now paying the price. By the way, The zen amp is way cool and Zygi does a masterful job slapping those speakers together,worth the wait.
Thanx

i'm pre amping from my Marantz 2285b into the zen so I can use the EQ and boost the bass.

If that's "abominable" then I'm the abominable snowman!

I do the same thing with my Marantz 2226B, a puny version of what you have.

Hell with what the supposed audiophiles think.

Well Riverranch,perhaps abomination was too strong a word but I know a lot of tube heads don't like to put too much in the signal path.My source is Oppo bdp95 which is way cool with dedicated analog audio outs.Just doin the stereo thing.Don't need a sub with the 944's although I have been looking at Mk2 mid bass module,sounds interesting.Have to save up some more shekels.

That is way too high to bring that up to specs.There are several on the web for sale at half that price.I have owned several Marantz amps over the years,have three right now.
Two getting worked on by a friend.I don't think you should pay more than a 'couple hundred to re-cap and bring things up to snuff.

DBC, I was trying to think of where I read about the mid bass mod and it was your post.Went to the HSU site and checked it out.May get one in the future.
Looking forward to more observations from your post.

No abomination from where I stand either Phil. I drive my CKC in my Reference Rig with an Audio Alcheny Dac 3.0 with remote control set at 3.5 volts output (via internal jumpers)....so it is preamp driving it hard and Musical!

I was fortunate to find another set of mint AA gear on Audiogon last February.  However, if I did not find this other AA gear I cherish...I would not hesitate bringing a Wyred for Sound or NADS new DAC with pre-out/volume control. So, something to consider....... .

..both sets of AA Gear are running well...but my original set purchased new in 1995...just had me Jonesin' to find another set just in case... .

I like having the Voltage output adjustment that my AA gear provides though. The AA DTI & 3.0 do for the Redbook Standard today, as well as they did new, back then, when I bought them new in 1995!  Cheers, Stone

PS-just re-read you have the Oppo bdp95 which is way cool with dedicated analog audio outs...but without Voltage gain out adjustment you still might need the preamp external of DAC scenerio.

The Catrafter has my machine. He has sent me pictures of the work he is doing inside of it. One important thing is installing a gizmo that reduces and eliminates RF noise from the FM broadcasts.

Well Jameskk,the original post was awhile back and my reason for preamping,like I said in the post was the room is poor for acoustics .18 ft. ceiling ,lots of bouncing around so it just swallowed up the low end.However,since that post I have added a HSU mid bass module,no more preamping.
The HSU covers the area the upper low end just like I wanted.Huge difference in soundstage.
Got the idea from DBC and stone of tone in these forums.
Room treatment is not happening with the spouse.

DBC,I guess it's been about 3 months since purchase.Yes, major difference.Like I said before the room sucks for sound.
18ft. ceiling 12ft.wide 32ft.long sloping down to one end.System is super zen.Oppo bdp95 ,MG945 speakers.
The sweet spot in this room was at the far end from my setup,sounded fabulous there.But I don't want to stand at one end of the room to listen to music.So enter the bass mod.It sets right next to the MG's and is connected as per your instructions from the zen.I can sit anywhere in the room now and enjoy the music as it should be.Truly amazing the information that is in the upper low end,and this system is also used for home theatre.I'm not really a sub-woofer kinda guy,don't need explosions to rattle the house, the mid bass covers enough low end for movies and fills in nicely for the music.I like the fact that you can dial in the freq. although I generally keep it at 150hz and volume set at half.Seems to work fine for most everything.Now since it's down firing into the carpet this concerned me a bit.I placed it on a board but that didn't seem to make a difference,I may experiment with that more in the future.
By the way,thanx for turning me on to this.
Phil

Yes there it is a very large room for 2 watts, my room is a mere 9x13 x 8 high. understand the acoustic problem now , well not a problem , just a better solution which you took care of.....