Placette RVC

I had an Accuphase E-202 and did exactly what you want to do-- by-passed the pre-amp section of the Accuphase and used the Placette. It was a stunning improvement. Rob.

Hey Rob,

I just bought a serviced_recapped E-202.
I'm thinking to connect it only to the LINE output of my DAC, so my plan is to access directly the Amp stage of the Accuphase.

I was wondering if you can give me your opinion on two aspects of this setup:

1 - Did it make a noticeable effect to skip the PRE stage of the E-202?
2 - is it possible that adding the Placette RVC actually IMPROVED the audio quality when compared to the DIRECT connection between source and amp stage?

Thank you for your feedback

Best

Actarus

Actarus
"I just bought a serviced_recapped E-202.
I'm thinking to connect it only to the LINE output of my DAC, so my plan is to access directly the Amp stage of the Accuphase."

If your dac has volume control ability . Why think, just do. It takes all of 30sec to try, I think you maybe in for a surprise.

You'll hear your dac's output unmolested by any colourations that active preamps bring to the mix, that's why they all sound different to each other.

Cheers George

Agreed George, I'll try that as soon as I receive the E-202. :)

I'm still wondering about the second question though... ;)

05-18-15: Actarus
Agreed George, I'll try that as soon as I receive the E-202

I'm still wondering about the second question though... ;).

I don't know this one, being passive I would say no. Unless it has it's own colouration and you like those colourations over going direct.
And it shouldn't colour/distort the source signal as much as actives do.

Cheers George

Ok, I think my DAC has volume control only for the headphones out; not the LINE out. Is it dangerous to connect it directly to the amp stage of the Accuphase?
Is it going to blast 'too much sound' to it?

Thanks for your opinions on this.

No should be fine, as it will be a nice low low output impedance because of a headphone driver opamp, but a normal output with VC would probably sound better because the head phone opamp won't be in the signal path.

Just turn the VC down before you try.

Cheers George

Allright, thanks George.
but how can I turn the volume down if the Volume on the DAC is on the headphone out only, and the volume on the E-202 is on the PRE stage only?

If I bypass both, will I still have access to volume control?
Just trying to be careful not frying the Accu or something when it's finally delivered. ;p

I checked and my DAC has:
Output Impedance: 50 Ohm (line)
.5 Ohm (headphone)

Thanks for keeping the conversation alive :)

If you drive your amp from the headphone output, naturally you'll need a stereo headphone to two male rca adapter you get these just about anywhere for a couple of bucks.

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/New-6-5mm-Aux-Male-to-2-RCA-Female-Socket-Adapter-Y-Splitter-Connector-Converter-/291121613799?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_15&hash=item43c8334be7

Or just use the fixed line out with a decent 10kohm passive preamp like the Schitt SYS $49 which uses Alps 10kohm Logarithmic Volume Pot.
http://schiit.com/products/sys

Cheers George

Ok, the minijack to 2 RCA is pretty straightforward, I have that.
My question is rather what happens if I DON'T use a pre-amp (passive or active) and feed the LINE OUT from the DIRECTLY to the amp.

Will the sound go through at MAX volume frying everything in its path and exploding the loudspeakers?
(Well, just exagerating a bit to make my point clearer)

Thx

Depends on the gain of your amp and the output of your source. This is known as the "Bolero Test"
You could try it from the direct line out of your source with no volume at all, but you need to use a cd to see how loud it's going to get, hence the Ravel Bolero cd is ideal as it starts off very quiet and builds so you can then gauge if you are going to blow your amp.

Cheers George