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Post by julesd68 on Oct 5, 2019 0:13:14 GMT
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Post by John on Oct 5, 2019 5:37:42 GMT
It got some good reviews on the net Jules and would give you plenty of variation in sound
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Post by MartinT on Oct 5, 2019 9:05:01 GMT
It does have a good rep. It's not shit (sorry, couldn't resist).
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Post by julesd68 on Oct 5, 2019 9:13:07 GMT
It does have flexibility, but if you only need a passive you are paying extra for design and functionality you don't need. And that extra size!
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Post by MikeMusic on Oct 5, 2019 9:17:02 GMT
How are those cables then Jules ?
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Post by julesd68 on Oct 5, 2019 9:35:37 GMT
Not had a chance to try them yet Mike.
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Post by julesd68 on Oct 7, 2019 14:24:32 GMT
Well that's one experiment finished. I tried DAC direct to power amp using XLR - no shortage of volume at all, but I just don't like the sound quality. Everything takes on a more strident, 'metallic' quality and lacks body and warmth. So I am left with the choice of keeping the passive I have and managing sometimes without the volume I want, or getting a different passive more matched to the system or an active preamp.  |
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Post by MartinT on Oct 7, 2019 14:26:37 GMT
Well, it was worth a try.
It's the same finding as me, I didn't like DAC direct either which is why I still use a preamp.
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Post by John on Oct 10, 2019 15:37:30 GMT
Had a brief visit to Jules the system is sounding a good bit better since the last time I heard it. The Topping seems to have really helped. The system sounding more dynamic, perhaps a bit more to come in the mids I know Jules will find a solution for this. Well done Jules.
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digititis
Oct 10, 2019 16:23:40 GMT
via mobile
Post by julesd68 on Oct 10, 2019 16:23:40 GMT
Excellent to see you John, as ever!
Yes I’m very pleased with the progress the system has made thanks - I think the speakers and DAC will be with me for some time.
We both came to the same conclusion that the area to work on is timbre - with John’s suggested Jeff Beck live music and my classical, both guitars and brass are lacking a bit of body, sounding a bit thin and forward.
Still keen to try a preamp to see if this provides a bit more body to the sound, otherwise will be looking at some other ideas for amplification.
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Post by julesd68 on Oct 11, 2019 14:18:57 GMT
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Post by julesd68 on Oct 12, 2019 14:36:40 GMT
Another question for the more scientifically minded amongst you ...  With my current passive pre maxed out, I'm a bit lacking in volume on some recordings with a power amp that has 26db of gain. If I use the same preamp with a power amp that has user selectable gain of either 37 or 31db, can you give me an idea of how much better of I'm going to be? |
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Post by MartinT on Oct 12, 2019 14:48:36 GMT
Either 11dB or 5dB better off to be precise!
Depending on how much more you feel you need, one or other gain level should be fine.
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Post by julesd68 on Oct 12, 2019 14:50:48 GMT
Ah, simple as that is it?  That appears a worthwhile 'upgrade'. |
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Post by SNR&THD on Oct 17, 2019 9:54:51 GMT
Every 3dB increase is 2 times more power. So 6dB increase is 4 times the power.
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Post by julesd68 on Nov 6, 2019 13:33:24 GMT
Doing another experiment going direct to power amp from DAC via XLR.
Am finding quite a strong hum through the speakers while spotify is paused - the moment the track starts the hum dissapears completely - if I turn the volume down the speakers are completely silent.
Any ideas why this is?
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Post by MartinT on Nov 6, 2019 13:40:51 GMT
Do you perchance have Volumio set to Volume Normalisation in Playback Settings? I accidentally turned mine on and had that exact same experience.
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Post by julesd68 on Nov 6, 2019 13:43:21 GMT
Just checked and it's switched off ...
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Post by julesd68 on Nov 6, 2019 14:14:21 GMT
Gosh, this is going well.
Now the volume control in spotify connect is 'stuck' on a low setting - it won't let me put it up to max like I normally do.
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Post by julesd68 on Nov 6, 2019 16:09:30 GMT
So, a system update! Here is my new power amp - an Audio Synthesis Desire Decade.  It is in near pristine condition and the build quality is quite something to behold - a picture just won’t do it justice. Even the faceplate is about an inch thick! It has balanced and unbalanced inputs and produces a healthy 175W into 8 ohms. Weighs in at 25kg and thankfully just fits in on the bigger shelves on my rack. One of the reasons I bought this amp is that it has two different gain settings, one of which is for use with passives - AS made a range of passives themselves of course. I have tried my DAC direct via XLR today, but as before, it's an easy choice - sounds much better with the passive and I get a perfect amount of gain for all recordings. The amp is very promising - massive depth of sound, lots of grip and great texture. But don’t think I’ve heard it at its best just yet. Have only had time to do short listening sessions and don’t think I’ve given it quite enough time to warm up. It has sounded much livelier and more dynamic at the end of the session rather than the beginning but then I've had to stop listening ... Next time I might leave it an hour and a half warm up or longer. Next job is to see if I can squeeze even more performance out of the amp and system in general so I’m going to do a Tinkerboard S build. Case and cables very kindly supplied by Mr MartinT. I have an Oehlbach reclocker on the way from Germany now so just the Tinker left to buy. I'm also having a look at finding a 'superior' passive and of course at some point I would like to try an active pre. But given this amp would have been developed with passives it seems sensible to stay with a passive for the time being. A little update on issues earlier today - switching back from XLR to RCA, I get no noise when a track on spotify is paused which is rather strange. I have sorted out the volume issue in Volumio - god knows how these things get changed!! I think I need to check all settings in Volumio are optimised for sound quality. If anyone has a link for this on TAS or elsewhere I would appreciate it, as not found what I need so far. |
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