My preamp inverts polarity and as such I swap the speaker connections on the amp side. However, polarity can be inverted on front end source equipment (like DACs), amps, and from speaker cross overs as well (actually experienced the last one unexpectedly while swapping a woofer out). Only way to tell is by test. For my analog front end (TT and phono stage) I used the HiFi news test record and the system tested fine. I imagine there is a test CD that can do this as well for digital front end, but I haven't located one. Maybe someone can recommend one.
Newbie Tubie just wants insight and direction....
Hi All and Happy Holidays!
I recently acquired a used Antique Sound Lab 1001dt, it's not the newest version with remote but it does have the built-in bias meter (thank God for this!).
I've recently come over from the SS camp owning a B&K AVR 307. What I'm noticing, and this is only 2 ch vs. 2 ch for the B&K vs. the ASL, is that for HT/movies, I don't get a good center image. I've checked all the settings on the 999es to make sure that it's in downmix 2ch. mode/analog only out so basically I'm only swapping out the amplifiers.
I get a great center image with the B&K but with the ASL the sound seems to be coming from just left and right...not "transparent" if that's the right term. Voices just don't jump out from the middle of the screen as it does with the B&K.
Now, as far as music goes, it's a totally different story, it's HUGE and lucious, velvety and "easy" but there are still some times when I feel that the music doesn't have the proper staging or imaging conjuring up one large ensemble out in front of me or to the center.
Is this just an "experience" of moving from SS to Tube gear or do you think there may be other issues to deal with.
For all purposes I've included all equipment relative to this question below.
Thank you in advance for any insight or advice, tips or tricks...again, Happy Holidays!
Your new tube rig advocate!
Current equipment:
Marantz 63se
Sony 999ES for SACD and HT duties
ASL 1001dt integrated (JJ Tesla kt88's stock 12au7's)
Paradigm Reference Studio 20's V.2's
Silent Audio Apollo C's (the silver ones, can't remember whether these are the C's or the A's)
Signal Cable Bi-wire
Signal Power Cord
I have other equipment but I'll focus on these for now since my question really pertains to 2 channel.
I recently acquired a used Antique Sound Lab 1001dt, it's not the newest version with remote but it does have the built-in bias meter (thank God for this!).
I've recently come over from the SS camp owning a B&K AVR 307. What I'm noticing, and this is only 2 ch vs. 2 ch for the B&K vs. the ASL, is that for HT/movies, I don't get a good center image. I've checked all the settings on the 999es to make sure that it's in downmix 2ch. mode/analog only out so basically I'm only swapping out the amplifiers.
I get a great center image with the B&K but with the ASL the sound seems to be coming from just left and right...not "transparent" if that's the right term. Voices just don't jump out from the middle of the screen as it does with the B&K.
Now, as far as music goes, it's a totally different story, it's HUGE and lucious, velvety and "easy" but there are still some times when I feel that the music doesn't have the proper staging or imaging conjuring up one large ensemble out in front of me or to the center.
Is this just an "experience" of moving from SS to Tube gear or do you think there may be other issues to deal with.
For all purposes I've included all equipment relative to this question below.
Thank you in advance for any insight or advice, tips or tricks...again, Happy Holidays!
Your new tube rig advocate!
Current equipment:
Marantz 63se
Sony 999ES for SACD and HT duties
ASL 1001dt integrated (JJ Tesla kt88's stock 12au7's)
Paradigm Reference Studio 20's V.2's
Silent Audio Apollo C's (the silver ones, can't remember whether these are the C's or the A's)
Signal Cable Bi-wire
Signal Power Cord
I have other equipment but I'll focus on these for now since my question really pertains to 2 channel.