I'm with you, Erik. I plan to bring in an Audio Research Reference 6, if for no other reason, to see what all of the buzz is about. |
The question I specifically asked, was if anyone has actually heard a preamp improve the sound of a BAR, over being run directly DAC to amp.
Thus far, it seems like only cerrot has heard a Rowland that does. I've never heard that preamp, but the technical description suggests it strives to be a very transparent and neutral component.
As an aside, why are Jeff Rowland components rarely reviewed by the mainstream audio media? |
You gotta love high end audio. A couple guys suggest vintage tube technology to breathe some life into a digital system. Another guy says he loves shut down technology and battery power to make the preamp as quiet and transparent as possible. And they might Both be right... |
I contacted Galen Carol Audio yesterday. I had auditioned and purchased my BAR from them, via mail. I was curious how they set up their demo BAR. In their showroom, they are running direct into a pair of Rowland amps, with no preamp. They said some customers prefer a bit of "flavor", and in which case they would recommend a tube preamp. But for their demo, they consider no additional circuitry between DAC and amp to be the best platform to hear the merits of the Berkeley Alpha Reference. Interesting... |
I'm running a pair of Ayre MX-R Twenties. THEY are amazing amps. |
Yes, I have considered trying a KX-R Twenty. Once again, Has anyone heard that combination with the BAR, and was it an improvement over direct? |
Kodak805. I have been quite successful at negotiating in-home auditions, so, no, I don't buy unless I hear a component in my system, and love it.
Speaking of... I LOVE the sound of my BAR. I never said it was cold, or I desired warmth. I've been simply wondering if Anyone has improved their sound with a preamp, vs direct, using specifically a BAR. |
One factor here might be the sensitivity of the amps used. With my BAR feeding the Ayre amps, the volume control is usually in the 45-52 range. Berkeley recommends a setting of 54 if connected to a preamp, so I suspect I'm losing little data at that level. If run thru a pair of LAMM amps, my BAR volume was down around 32-34. I definitely preferred preamp when listening to the LAMMs.
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Please describe what you don't like about the AR Reference 6, as opposed to what you do like. |
Joeinid - In your opinion with the AR Ref 6, is the preamp super highly resolving, and thus makes imperfect recordings sound just that way, imperfect? Or is it distorting the signal somehow, resulting in the forward soundstage and punchy on-steroids feel? |
If I normally run a volume level of 47.3 on Diana Krall Live in Paris, for example, how would I change things to get the same volume level, but higher resolution? |
kodak805 - How is the sensitivity adjustable on the BAR? It says nothing about that in my owner's manual. It it something Berkeley must set? |
I guess I don't understand their explaination. It this not just setting the output levels, by left and right channels, in .05db steps? |
I have an Ayre K-1xe here now. I have to strain and strain and switch back and forth and back and forth to hear the very slight differences between the K-1xe in circuit and run directly from the BAR. The KX-R Twenty would likely be a step or two above even that.
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I didn't know that. You would think Berkeley would make that more apparent. I will try reducing the gain tonight. |
I contacted Berkeley Audio Design. They Can change the voltage gain of the DAC, internally, if requested. There is No way for the user to change the voltage gain of the DAC, in comparison to its volume level. The BAR was designed to optimally drive loads with about 20 db of gain, which allows for an ideal volume setting of 54. |
I could not get this negative gain thing to happen. First I set the volume control on 0, then tried lowering the L/R gain. It would not go below 0. Then I set the volume at 7, then lowered both L/R gain to 1. When I checked the volume, it followed the change to 1. Upon setting the volume to 47.3, the gain was unchanged at 47.3 in both channels.
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The new Rowland stuff intrigues me. Sooner or later I gotta stop shopping. Lol |
It sounds absolutely incredible. And it's not like I don't have options. I have my old Ayre K-1xe, which is quite transparent. It adds a touch of impact to voices, especially, and can give them a somewhat shouty character. It homogenizes the sound a bit. More cohesive, slightly less detail. I plan to use the Ayre for SACD playback, video, etc. |
I spoke with a dealer in California today who caries Berkeley, Audio Research, and Ayre. They feel the Berkeley is outstanding run direct. But they have heard better soundstaging, especially depth of field and layering, by using a great preamp. They say the AR Ref 6 is an absolute steal at $14K, detailed, harmonically rich, great soundstaging. But they said the best they've ever heard the Berkeley for ultimate transparency was with the volume at 54, and run balanced thru an Ayre KX-R Twenty. |
