[SlimDevices: Audiophiles] Preamp w. unity gain bypass
With the completion of construction of the new home theater (treated room and new speakers), I am rethinking how to deploy my transporter. I am currently experimenting with integrating it into my home theater directly using the Krell Showcase analog preamp bypass to integrate the Tp to my main L/R channels. I am thinking about seperating out the preamp, and running the Tp into a preamp with HT bypass (unity gain) especially if I upgrade the Krell to a new SSP with the fancy new decoders. One challenge I see is finding a really clean preamp with SNR that will do justice to the output of the Tp. Has anyone got any suggestions in this area for preamps to investigate? If this has been hashed over before please provide some links to threads. Thanks. -- Eric Carroll Transporter-Bryston 3B SST-Paradigm Reference Studio 60 v.4 SB3-Rotel RB890-BW Matrix 805 SB3-Krell Showcase-Bel Canto EVo6 GenII x2-Paradigm Signature S8/C1/C5/BD 500 ReadyNAS NV+ Eric Carroll's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=9293 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=43882 ___ audiophiles mailing list audiophiles@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/lists/listinfo/audiophiles
Re: [SlimDevices: Audiophiles] Ripping Vinyl
Doesn't one of the differences in sound between LP and CD have to do with the filtering of high frequences by CD? Musical information - in the form of harmonics - extends way beyond the 20KHz barrier of a CD, and even if you can't identify the sound at high frequencies they must (surely?) influence the tonal characteristic of the fundamental note you can hear. Higher frequencies come off an LP, so in my mind it's worth trying to capture them. -- morris_minor morris_minor's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=13950 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=21836 ___ audiophiles mailing list audiophiles@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/lists/listinfo/audiophiles
Re: [SlimDevices: Audiophiles] Preamp w. unity gain bypass
I posted a 'similar question' (http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=39320) a while back. Partly based on the feedback I got, I auditioned the Parasound 'New Classic model 2100' (http://www.parasound.com/nc/2100.php) a while back and liked it a lot. To me, it was a significant upgrade compared with my HT receiver + 2 channel power amp setup. I haven't bought it (yet), since I feel that my current speakers do not really do the upgrade justice. Also, the dealer wants 750 euros for it, even though the MSRP is 600 USD... Another option I considered but never tried is the 'CI Audio PLC-1' (http://www.ciaudio.com/) ($899 factory direct price). I cannot comment on either unit's ability to do the Transporter justice in your setup of course, but they might be worth a look. -- teejay teejay's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=9349 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=43882 ___ audiophiles mailing list audiophiles@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/lists/listinfo/audiophiles
Re: [SlimDevices: Audiophiles] Preamp w. unity gain bypass
Eric, there are certainly a plethora of options available to you for high quality 2 channel pre's with HT Bypass. My first few questions would be solid state or tub? What is your budget? Do you run balanced or un-balanced connection from your Transporter and to your amps? -- rydenfan rydenfan's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=15335 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=43882 ___ audiophiles mailing list audiophiles@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/lists/listinfo/audiophiles
Re: [SlimDevices: Audiophiles] Ripping Vinyl
morris_minor;272991 Wrote: Doesn't one of the differences in sound between LP and CD have to do with the filtering of high frequences by CD? Musical information - in the form of harmonics - extends way beyond the 20KHz barrier of a CD, and even if you can't identify the sound at high frequencies they must (surely?) influence the tonal characteristic of the fundamental note you can hear. Higher frequencies come off an LP, so in my mind it's worth trying to capture them. Sadly, most tape machines used to master vinyl had a freq response that tailed off over 18Khz or so...and most cartridges had/have a similar falling response... -- Phil Leigh You want to see the signal path BEFORE it gets onto a CD/vinyl...it ain't what you'd call minimal...SB3+Stontronics PSU - Altmann JISCO/UPCI - TACT RCS 2.2X with Good Vibrations S/W - MF X-DAC V3/X-PSU/X-10 buffer (Audiocomm full mods)- Linn 5103 - Linn Aktiv 5.1 system (6x LK140's, ESPEK/TRIKAN/KATAN/SEIZMIK 10.5), Townsend Supertweeters, Kimber Chord cables Phil Leigh's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=85 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=21836 ___ audiophiles mailing list audiophiles@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/lists/listinfo/audiophiles
Re: [SlimDevices: Audiophiles] Attenuators-recommendations
I've started using the Rothwell RCA attenuators recently (a custom order which I've measured at 5.5db attenuation). Just to add a bit of balance (or be difficult) I'm going to disagree with some others' opinions and say they sound fine. Before anyone throws my words back at me, no I haven't done a blind test :-) Of course I believe these gizmos are giving me some extra dynamic range in a particular set up that would benefit from it, and I expect the distortion from a passive resistor of adequate quality to be insignificant. Such preconceptions might make me biased. But perhaps others are biased too if they expect degradation? :-) Of course it depends on whether your system needs it or not, resolution of components, my deafness etc...so YMMV. If my long term impressions change I will of course post. Darren -- darrenyeats SB3 / Inguz - Krell KAV-300i (pre bypass) - PMC AB-1 Dell laptop - JVC UX-C30 mini system darrenyeats's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=10799 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=42698 ___ audiophiles mailing list audiophiles@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/lists/listinfo/audiophiles
Re: [SlimDevices: Audiophiles] Ripping Vinyl
morris_minor wrote: Doesn't one of the differences in sound between LP and CD have to do with the filtering of high frequences by CD? Musical information - in the form of harmonics - extends way beyond the 20KHz barrier of a CD, and even if you can't identify the sound at high frequencies they must (surely?) influence the tonal characteristic of the fundamental note you can hear. What do you mean must contain? There may be a small amount of material, but all of the equipment used to record rolls off at or below 20kHz. Mics, track tapes, mastering tapes, monitoring speakers. And on the playback side, very few, if any cartridges have much response at ultrasonic frequencies, the RIAA curve rolls off high frequencies and if implemented with a simple LRC circuit (which is what nearly all systems do) it keeps rolling off at higher frequencies. The RIAA curve is down 20dB at 20kHz Its likely to roll off at 6dB/octave or faster, at each step of the recording process. -- Pat Farrell http://www.pfarrell.com/ ___ audiophiles mailing list audiophiles@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/lists/listinfo/audiophiles
Re: [SlimDevices: Audiophiles] Attenuators-recommendations
darrenyeats;273050 Wrote: I've started using the Rothwell RCA attenuators recently (a custom order which I've measured at 5.5db attenuation). Just to add a bit of balance (or be difficult) I'm going to disagree with some others' opinions and say they sound fine. Before anyone throws my words back at me, no I haven't done a blind test :-) Of course I believe these gizmos are giving me some extra dynamic range in a particular set up that would benefit from it, and I expect the distortion from a passive resistor of adequate quality to be insignificant. Such preconceptions might make me biased. But perhaps others are biased too if they expect degradation? :-) Of course it depends on whether your system needs it or not, resolution of components, my deafness etc...so YMMV. If my long term impressions change I will of course post. Darren And so they they should Darren! they are only a good quality resistor after all - just how much damage do people really think that can do to a line-level signal? -- Phil Leigh You want to see the signal path BEFORE it gets onto a CD/vinyl...it ain't what you'd call minimal...SB3+Stontronics PSU - Altmann JISCO/UPCI - TACT RCS 2.2X with Good Vibrations S/W - MF X-DAC V3/X-PSU/X-10 buffer (Audiocomm full mods)- Linn 5103 - Linn Aktiv 5.1 system (6x LK140's, ESPEK/TRIKAN/KATAN/SEIZMIK 10.5), Townsend Supertweeters, Kimber Chord cables Phil Leigh's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=85 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=42698 ___ audiophiles mailing list audiophiles@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/lists/listinfo/audiophiles
Re: [SlimDevices: Audiophiles] Ripping Vinyl
An LP has the potential to contain ultrasonic frequencies. Remember quadrophonics? http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quadrophonic -- bigfool1956 David Ayers Music is what counts, hifi just helps us enjoy it more bigfool1956's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=13782 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=21836 ___ audiophiles mailing list audiophiles@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/lists/listinfo/audiophiles
Re: [SlimDevices: Audiophiles] Ripping Vinyl
bigfool1956;273068 Wrote: An LP has the potential to contain ultrasonic frequencies. Remember quadrophonics? http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quadrophonic Yeah - I remember CD-4... The point is that (apart from CD-4 and a smattering of direct cut disks) nobody has put much over 18-20Khz onto vinyl. -- Phil Leigh You want to see the signal path BEFORE it gets onto a CD/vinyl...it ain't what you'd call minimal...SB3+Stontronics PSU - Altmann JISCO/UPCI - TACT RCS 2.2X with Good Vibrations S/W - MF X-DAC V3/X-PSU/X-10 buffer (Audiocomm full mods)- Linn 5103 - Linn Aktiv 5.1 system (6x LK140's, ESPEK/TRIKAN/KATAN/SEIZMIK 10.5), Townsend Supertweeters, Kimber Chord cables Phil Leigh's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=85 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=21836 ___ audiophiles mailing list audiophiles@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/lists/listinfo/audiophiles
Re: [SlimDevices: Audiophiles] Ripping Vinyl
I've been thinking about digitising my singles. I haven't quite decided to what hardware to use as yet, but never mind. I think when I get to that point I will digitise a few selected album tracks and do some spectral analysis. Might be quite interesting. Obviously to do that I would need to sample at at least 96kHz. One thing I have not seen when looking at the various hardware options is the input filter specifications, which could be a source of misleading information. -- bigfool1956 David Ayers Music is what counts, hifi just helps us enjoy it more bigfool1956's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=13782 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=21836 ___ audiophiles mailing list audiophiles@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/lists/listinfo/audiophiles
Re: [SlimDevices: Audiophiles] Ripping Vinyl
bigfool1956;273081 Wrote: I've been thinking about digitising my singles. I haven't quite decided to what hardware to use as yet, but never mind. I have a ton of old 12 singles from the 80's, well perhaps not a ton, but more like 100 or so. Luckily I still have my old Pink Triangle turntable from the 70's which I feed through my amp into a M-Audio Audiophile 2496 and then use Audacity on my old PowerMac. It's laborious as you have to record at normal speed, but I leave all the clicks and pops in the recording as it transports me straight back to my youth! -- CardinalFang CardinalFang's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=962 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=21836 ___ audiophiles mailing list audiophiles@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/lists/listinfo/audiophiles
Re: [SlimDevices: Audiophiles] Q:Best BUDGET power or integrated AMP (under$1000)
improvisato;272394 Wrote: I'm looking to upgrade from my Denon DRA-275R. Just about anything would be an upgrade, but I'd like to stick to around a $700-1000USD budget for either an integrated amp or pre-amp/amp setup. Your suggestions are welcome. Most of the suggestions so far are fairly nice amps, BUT, looks like some were not paying any attention to your budget because most are hundreds to a thousand over your budget. Also beware of the watts game. Yes watts can be important, but available current is the real key with SS amps. NAD gives one a good bang for the buck when it comes to SS integrated amps with a realistic amount of watts with some true current to back it up. As an example, a 200-Watt Kenwood RCVR with 4 amps of available current is no match for a 80-watt NAD with 25 amps of available current. Much less the NAD C370 with 120W continuous into 8-ohm load with IHF dynamic power to 210 Watts into 8-ohm load. I paid $629 for mine NIB in 2002. They are around used (when you can find them) from $299 to $450 for a perfect one. If looking for new, try the 150W NAD C372 with its 150 Watts and IHF dynamic power to 220 Watts into 8-ohm load. Both are well in your price range and IMHO are what would be called starter HiFi. Another huge factor is knowing the efficiency of your DIY Speakers. If the crossovers are not first order, the DIY should be fairly efficient but not phase coherent. Additionally if the drivers are all mounted on the same front speaker face, the speaker will not be time aligned (which is my biggest problem with DIY speakers). If they are first order, get an amp with as much current as you can afford with the most amount of watts. My NAD drives a pair of Thiel Speakers that I would consider in the midrange as to efficiency. It does a wonderful job and has plenty of headroom and bass response for the size room the speakers and equipment are in. -- iPhone iPhone Last.FM http://www.lastfm.com/user/mePhone Media Room: Transporter, Vandersteen Quatro Signature, Ayre MX-R Mono Blocks, VTL TL-6.5 Signature Pre-Amp, VCC-5 Reference Center Channel, four VSM-1 Signatures, Runco 710, RAM Oppo DV970HD, VeraStarr 6.4SE Living Room: Squeezebox 3, Vandersteen Model 3A Signature, Two 2Wq subs, VCC-2, Two VSM-1, ADCOM GTP-870HD, Cinepro 3K6SE III Gold Bedroom: Squeezebox 3, Thiel 2.3, NAD C370 iPhone's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=13622 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=31843 ___ audiophiles mailing list audiophiles@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/lists/listinfo/audiophiles
Re: [SlimDevices: Audiophiles] Ripping Vinyl
I've been looking at the ikey plus, which digitises direct to a USB device, so it doesn't involve trucking my PC over to my hifi. Anyone had any experience of this device? http://www.ikey-audio.com/ikeyplus.htm -- bigfool1956 David Ayers Music is what counts, hifi just helps us enjoy it more bigfool1956's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=13782 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=21836 ___ audiophiles mailing list audiophiles@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/lists/listinfo/audiophiles
Re: [SlimDevices: Audiophiles] Ripping Vinyl
The difference with much of the vinyl gear is that it has a gentle roll off and not a brick-wall filter as most CD players or DAC's have. The brick-wall filter may create severe phase aberrations way down into the midrange... perhaps aslow as 1KHz, Which I believe may be quite significant. If you can hear a difference, it's significant. Why is there a market for super-tweeters? There's a few people in this forum that's got super-tweeters Does it make a difference?, I believe so, and I reckon those who bought these believe so... Perhaps the most significant part of having the extended frequencey response is that it makes a difference in the audible range that you can hear Now I'm running for cover :-)) Regards Harald N -- haraldo Suse Linux / SC7 - SB3 - Benchmark DAC1 - Krell KAV400xi - Meadowlark Kestrel2 / Duntech PCL-15 Everything is difficult before it's easy haraldo's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=13472 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=21836 ___ audiophiles mailing list audiophiles@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/lists/listinfo/audiophiles
Re: [SlimDevices: Audiophiles] BW 802D Speakers. Tempted.
rydenfan;272932 Wrote: I still believe I should have ordered the littler L-505 instead of my current speakers, but such is life. You should really hear them if you get a chance. I wouldn't be surprised if the smaller L-505 would be even better than the larger ones for two reasons: - Vifa and Scan-speak ring-radiator are incredibly fast and if they are paired with midranges that's not likewise very fast you may have issues in the crossover region, this means those tweeters often work better with smaller drivers - I believe smaller drivers are generally better and faster and provides more detail, but then you may have to match with very competent and likewise fast stereo subwoofers Re Dynaudio. I have never heard a Dynaudio speaker that's not well sounding, like the Contour S3.4, incredibly fine sounding speakers, almost bought a pair of those Regards Harald N -- haraldo Suse Linux / SC7 - SB3 - Benchmark DAC1 - Krell KAV400xi - Meadowlark Kestrel2 / Duntech PCL-15 Everything is difficult before it's easy haraldo's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=13472 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=42808 ___ audiophiles mailing list audiophiles@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/lists/listinfo/audiophiles
Re: [SlimDevices: Audiophiles] BW 802D Speakers. Tempted.
I met a guy called Dieter Ennemoser when I was covering the Vienna hifi show in 1999. An Austrian violin-maker by trade, he had produced a philosophy and associated laquer (C37) which he was using to treat existing components, and to create his own. Anyway he dragged me off to listen to his HUGE Archaeopteryx speakers, which at the time were selling for about 20,000 quid. They has and 18 C37 laquered bass unit that crossed over to the tweeter at 3k. Contrary to expectation, these speakers were the best thing I heard in the whole show. By no means what you would call a conventional presentation - but boy did they make fun music. My point being that big drivers can also work. Then again I have no idea how the speakers would stand up to extended listening. He still makes them though! http://www.ennemoser.com/ -- bigfool1956 David Ayers Music is what counts, hifi just helps us enjoy it more bigfool1956's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=13782 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=42808 ___ audiophiles mailing list audiophiles@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/lists/listinfo/audiophiles
Re: [SlimDevices: Audiophiles] BW 802D Speakers. Tempted.
bigfool1956;273158 Wrote: Contrary to expectation, these speakers were the best thing I heard in the whole show. By no means what you would call a conventional presentation - but boy did they make fun music. My point being that big drivers can also work. Thanks - You really got me there :-)) Guess there are NO rules without exceptions -- haraldo Suse Linux / SC7 - SB3 - Benchmark DAC1 - Krell KAV400xi - Meadowlark Kestrel2 / Duntech PCL-15 Everything is difficult before it's easy haraldo's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=13472 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=42808 ___ audiophiles mailing list audiophiles@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/lists/listinfo/audiophiles
Re: [SlimDevices: Audiophiles] Q:Best BUDGET power or integrated AMP (under$1000)
iPhone;273138 Wrote: Much less the NAD C370 with 120W continuous into 8-ohm load with IHF dynamic power to 210 Watts into 8-ohm load. I paid $629 for mine NIB in 2002. They are around used (when you can find them) from $299 to $450 for a perfect one. If looking for new, try the 150W NAD C372 with its 150 Watts and IHF dynamic power to 220 Watts into 8-ohm load. Both are well in your price range and IMHO are what would be called starter HiFi. Thanks for your input, iPhone. I'm considering the C372, although my local friendly Denon dealer is busy trying to talk me into the AVR-1908 (http://usa.denon.com/ProductDetails/3635.asp). Whatever I do go (even if it is a receiver rather than an integrated amp) with will need to accomodate several sources in addition to the Squeezebox. A local shop has a demo of the C372 available for $899USD. Is that in line with what you would reasonably expect for a almost-NIB C372? iPhone;273138 Wrote: Another huge factor is knowing the efficiency of your DIY Speakers. If the crossovers are not first order, the DIY should be fairly efficient but not phase coherent. Additionally if the drivers are all mounted on the same front speaker face, the speaker will not be time aligned (which is my biggest problem with DIY speakers). If they are first order, get an amp with as much current as you can afford with the most amount of watts. Afraid I don't know what you mean by first order. Still learning as I go. Can you explain? Or perhaps direct me to some good online sources? -- improvisato improvisato's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=15622 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=31843 ___ audiophiles mailing list audiophiles@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/lists/listinfo/audiophiles
Re: [SlimDevices: Audiophiles] Ripping Vinyl
I don't understand why everyone is recommending digitizing vinyl at 96k!! 24-bit, yes, but don't waste the disk space doing 96k! There's nothing on the vinyl worthy of that! Most cutting lathes couldn't handle to heat created on the cutter head putting on that much HF information, unless you cut at half-speed. Keep it at 48k/24-bit and save some disk space. -- Eric Seaberg Eric Seaberg - San Diego [EMAIL PROTECTED] Eric Seaberg's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=7896 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=21836 ___ audiophiles mailing list audiophiles@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/lists/listinfo/audiophiles
Re: [SlimDevices: Audiophiles] Preamp w. unity gain bypass
I'm considering the Bel Canto Pre3 at the moment, it has an HT Bypass feature, balanced input/output etc. JDH. -- jdh500 jdh500's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=11601 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=43882 ___ audiophiles mailing list audiophiles@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/lists/listinfo/audiophiles
[SlimDevices: Audiophiles] Do you listen to lossy codecs or lossless ?
I stumbled upon this thread - http://forums.dvdfile.com/showthread.php?t=65034 and bit, unfortunately. Anyway, the assertion, supposedly backed up by good science is that SACD or DVD-A is no better sounding than CD. The author of the thread later challenges anyone to prove that they can hear a difference between a lossy codec (details in the thread) and the original CD. I am curious what your take is. I am of the mind that you don't willingly lose ANY music if you don't have to. -- brjoon1021 brjoon1021's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=12136 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=43910 ___ audiophiles mailing list audiophiles@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/lists/listinfo/audiophiles
Re: [SlimDevices: Audiophiles] BW 802D Speakers. Tempted.
I play in stereo through a pair of the S3.4s with a REL sub. For 5.1, I add in a SC center (which is really nice), and 2x Audience 42Ws (not as nice, but great for mounting on the wall with their special bracket, and fine for now as Rear Left and Right). One sits up and takes notice of a good movie soundtrack on this system! I also have a pair of Dyn Focus 110s for a smaller room. To be honest, I don't think I'll ever bother looking at another speaker line, Dynaudios and their extraordinary tweeters are just right for my ears. -- MrJB MrJB's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=15616 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=42808 ___ audiophiles mailing list audiophiles@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/lists/listinfo/audiophiles
