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OP, funny, I just posted a similar discussion on AA. I have a Parasound P5, and was thinking time to upgrade, but my system is balanced throughout, and there's not much available under under $4K. Then I came across a W4S STP E on 10 Audio and started investigating and checking the used market. Then it dawned on me that after I did two aftermarket DIYs from ebaye replacing the oem iec wire harness with a Furutek Rhodium IEC with silver wire, THEN replacing the oem power supply with a beefy toroid board @ $118.00. I connected my 105 directly to my Emerald Physics 100.2SEs and was gobsmacked, BUT I think a big part of the smacking is because all are plugged into a Core Technologies 1800, an amazing passive PLC.. |
wow, quite the pissing contest
Back to the OPs question
How about the newest Gain Cell |
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kalali
Ill take your bet
My system is balanced throughout
Oppo 105> Parasound P5 (the XLR circuit is separate from the RCAs) > 2 Emerald Physics 100.2SEs
I bought the P5 a couple years ago because
* it has true balanced I/Os
* a separate bass management circuit for my SVS powered subs.
* it was affordable
A few months back Paul McGowan did a YT video saying the best way to connect subs is not with interconnects, but piggybacking off your amp/s speaker binding posts. And boy, he was right. So, thought I needed a better preamp. The closest balanced pre I found without spending a King's ransom (even used) was a used W4S STP-E, with passive/active volume, but IMHO, it's butt ugly.
I decided to run the 105 direct to my amps. I cannot imagine a preamp bettering what I am enjoying now, but the passive Lightspeed is intriguing. I wouldn't buy one without trying one as I am so overjoyed using the 105 variable VC direct. Now, a couple things are the likely reason for my joy
1. my system is plugged into a CPT 1800 > 20 amp dedicated line
2. I added a couple aftermarket ebaye 105 mods; replaced the oem iec with a Furutek Rhodium + silver wires and replaced the oem power board with a Linear Power Module, the toroid is big enough to handle a lot of amps/preamps
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Passive search bar ld me to Tortuga, Kuzma,
and/or Hattor |
more... 6moons reviewed the Kuzma. It validated many of the things I am now/finally hearing by running signal direct from my 105 outs to amps
Still, I guess I am programmed to place something inbetween, which is why I want a money back guarantee |
As I listen to more music (sans preamp, which also means sans 2 SVS powered subs) I am overjoyed by how much richer the midrange, more accurate the bass, and quieter the background. Playing cds like CSN with musicians spread wide on the stage and spot on individual singer locations is shear enjoyment
I am curious to know whether (or why) my active preamp outs somehow interfered with the SVS inputs.
Seems like the only way to reengage the subs is with something. Wish I could afford the Tortuga. whichever one I experiment with will need XLR I/Os and one set of RCA outs
Anybody? |
I just closed a deal for a Hatton passive XLR, so will see whether it improves on no preamp. If no glitches, I should have it by friday |
all good questions to be investigated
No buffer on this one, but they do make them |
Oppo Tech, et al
when I come off full volume on tmy 105 either the bits are dropping, or the VC is too sensitive as the result is loss of damn near everything. I am hoping that the Hattor will solve that problem, and it is a problem
As to the extra I/Os with the Hattor, I think any that not being used are out of the signal path, but I will only be using 2 outs at the most. Still working on solving the opposite problem with my SVS servo subs (volume comes on too quickly) . Maybe a buffer is needed, or maybe SVS servo sub tech sucks. Thinking I might need to get passive subs and use an outboard amp/s
Nord makes an interesting integrated (I am now jonesing for their amp),. Imagine that with LDRs
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I installed a Hattor XLR late Friday. It took about an hour to begin sounding good, and maybe just now has hit its sweet spot. It certainly solved most of the problems driving the 105 direct.
It has a lot more VC control, in addition to a significantly reduced noise floor and a much bigger sound stage. I was surprised by how much bass was missing from the 105 direct to amps.
If your budget is in the ~ $1000 range, I highly recommend it, BUT, it is such a microscope that it will expose lessor kit in your system. After a day with a Cullen power cord and PS Audio XLRs, I switched to Surf Cables XLRs (great audio bargain) and WireWorld PC. These significantly warmed up the sound. Pretty sure my Emerald Physics class D 100.2 SE amps need replacing now. Guessing the chips are 2-3 generations old. |
kosst
His site can be confusing
He offers straight passive as I have, also tube buffered and integrated |
atmosphere, all I could find on the Baxandall was math and schematics. What good is that? |
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When I inserted a Hattor XLR passive (sans buffer) between my Oppo 105 and my then EP 100.2SE amps(newest AA amp on its way) everything improved, especially bass
It could be that my system is 100% balanced, Isn't everybody doing that by now? |
When I first switched over to XLR, decade+ ago, I compared a 0.5m v 1.0m of the identical run of the identical XLR ICs. The difference was immediately apparent |
