atmasphere

Responses from atmasphere

tube pre amp and Krell FPB 600
The input of the Krell is direct-coupled (no coupling caps). This is why they are 'concerned'. However, the claim that tube preamps put out DC is ridiculous. They no more do that than solid state. 
Class A or AB amp for JBL S4700 speakers
In other words, it is class AB.Class A amplifiers are class A right to full output. 
I'm in a preamp pickle: ARC Ref 1 VS CJ 17LS
I would go with the CJ. The ARC has the drier house sound that is part of the ARC legacy. The warmer sound of the CJ will complement your system nicely. 
Super-sensitive volume controls - remedy?
Really the best way to do it right is to send the CDP or DAC back to the manufacturer and ask that they lower the output. Its not that hard for them to do it and usually the result is better sound in addition to less troubles. We have tried buildi... 
The first watts
^^ For the most part, I would not either, whether the amp is tube or solid state. Due to the rather low efficiency of the speakers, power is likely going to be more important than what class of operation is employed. 
Tube Curious - Preamp Suggestions
Or swap out the preamp further down the line... Since the amplifier is balanced I would look for a balanced preamp as well. A lot of the Parasound amplifiers have a 33K input impedance, which is at the bottom limit of what is recommended for the A... 
Super-sensitive volume controls - remedy?
Thanks for pointing that out George. Funny thing though, we see 4 volts and more all the time, of course we get a lot of balanced line DACs and CDPs used with our stuff, which may explain the disparity. 
Surreal Speakers: Made to order in Virginia, USA
I understand the speaker is tube-friendly as well. FWIW I've known Ruston for years and he has no association with Surreal. 
Do I really need a preamp?
Yes, George, John may well have stated that. I gave up believing everything I read in Stereophile decades ago. If a tube amp the input impedance can be set almost arbitrarily but most manufacturers go with 100K and I have seen some that are as hig... 
The first watts
Sound pressure falls off by the square of the distance. By the time you are 9 feet back this can be significant. 2 meters is thus 1/4 the energy. The speakers, once the conversion is done from sensitivity to efficiency, are 84 db 1 watt/1 meter (8... 
Super-sensitive volume controls - remedy?
One of the bigger problems faced by preamplifier manufacturers is that when Sony and Phillips got together and created the Redbook specification, they really had no clue as to what they were up to.As a result, they set the digital audio output spe... 
Why do designers/manufacturers...?
Romex is solid core. If you flex it enough, it will break. A legal power cord will be multi-stranded which means it can flex without breaking. 
Do I really need a preamp?
George is mostly correct here, just watch out that some solid state amps have a 10K input. 47K is not a standard. 
Tube Curious - Preamp Suggestions
An used MP-1 is a tube preamp that has the detail that you are looking for, lacks the analytical quality and yet is very revealing, and is balanced which works nicely with the Parasound. It gets the detail by having a direct-coupled output. It als... 
Do I really need a preamp?
The problem you are usually facing with passive controls is the interconnect cable. An active line stage will usually be less sensitive to the cable. In fact if done right, the active line section will control the cable so well that it will have n...