A Preamp for ARS Filarmonia ?


Hi all,
A question to Filar's owners here:
I have A Filar without tape loop - and use with SBAM of Merlins speakers. Now I have more than 1 source (3 to be exact). Currently, I have to swap the sources at SBAM input - very inconvenience, and I also want to have option to control the volume via remote control.
Do you think it would be good idea to add a passive preamp in front of the Filar? I'm thinking about the Adcom GFP-750. The Adcom will handle switching sources and volume.
Second option would be adding tape loop (still missing volume control) - anyone know how much would it cost?
Thanks
Thuan
128x128thuan98
I ordered mine with a break, (not sure what else you'd call it) in the circuit. Basically another pair of RCA's so the pre-out goes to the bam and the BAM out comes back in that extra pair of RCA's. This allows for exactly what you're after. All sources plugged into Filarmonia, BAM in signal path, etc....

the only downside I guess is that if a non-BAM user wanted to use this amp they'd need to use a short interconnect to bridge the pre-out and new set of rca's.

To look at it I can't imagine it would cost much at all to do. It just looks like a pair of RCA's and an extra wire soldered in. But I'm not tech savvy that way so who knows.

Sounds great and works like a charm.

Best of luck.
This device looks good Traudio
I have Dual input/output BAM with both RCA and XLR
I try to use both inputs but the loudness between the inputs is so much difference and it sound too muddy regardless of output be RCA or XLR. Unplug either one will bring back the clarity and sweetness. Not sure because the "conversion" from RCA to XLR and vice versa ?
Thanks
Thuan
The Adcom is not a passive preamp as it has gain.See the following quote from the Stereophile test.

Other than glue logic and the transistors used to drive the relays, the 12 active devices—four gain blocks, each with three devices—are HEXFETs from International Rectifier. The output stage is intended to function as a pure voltage source, making the GFP-750 relatively immune to cable differences or low amplifier impedances. As we've come to expect from Adcom, the preamp sports a honkin' big toroidal transformer, with multiple secondary windings for each channel. A large heatsink on the left-hand side carries the power supply regulator chips.

Passive preamps have no active stages at all, just input selectors and volume controls. A very good passive is the Creek OBH 22. The Adcom has a passive phono equalization I believe but has, as you see, gain stages.
Hi Thuan,
When I asked Bobby about adding a tape loop he gave me the impression that it would be difficult & expensive.

What I had in my system at the time was a BAM with 2 inputs. I've told him a BAM with 3 or more inputs and a selector switch on the front would be a great thing and probably increase VSM sales. I don't know if he'll ever make it that way, but it seems like you could cram another pair in.

I know it's not a total solution, but it would be an improvement. You might want to see how much he'd charge you to add another input.