You'll never know until you try one. I have two different ones in front of me right now. They sound vastly better than any regular passive I've used, whether pot or stepped attenuator type.Originally Posted by Bigman80
Moderator & Terminator!
Location: N E Kent
Posts: 51,625
I'm Geoff.
You'll never know until you try one. I have two different ones in front of me right now. They sound vastly better than any regular passive I've used, whether pot or stepped attenuator type.
It is impossible for anything digital to sound analogue, because it isn't analogue!
Ok, do you feel like lending one to me? Can't invest currently due to other commitments so a loan is my only option!
Moderator & Terminator!
Location: N E Kent
Posts: 51,625
I'm Geoff.
One is not mine and the other is my main pre-amp. I need it here.
It is impossible for anything digital to sound analogue, because it isn't analogue!
Site Owner/Administrator
Location: Wrexham, North Wales, UK
Posts: 110,012
I'm AudioAl'sArbiterForPISHANTO.
And you erroneously believe that I erroneously believe otherwise!For the record, there is no such thing as gain structure as in something to be optimised.... other than technically. Don't bother Marco, I know you erroneously believe otherwise.....
If a system's overall 'gain structure' can't be sub-optimal, then why is Oliver experiencing, to use his terminology, "matching misery" with a passive preamp - or perhaps he's just imagining it all?
Marco.
Main System
Turntable: Heavily-modified Technics SL-1210MK5G [Mike New bearing/ETP platter/Paul Hynes SR7 PSU & reg mods]. Funk Firm APM Achromat/Nagaoka GL-601 Crystal Record Weight/Isonoe feet & boots/Ortofon RS-212D/Denon DL-103GL in Denon PCL-300 headshell with Funk Firm Houdini/Kondo SL-115 pure-silver cartridge leads.
Paul Hynes MC head amp/SR5 PSU. Also modded Lentek head amp/Denon AU-310 SUT.
Other Cartridges: Nippon Columbia (NOS 1987) Denon DL-103. USA-made Shure SC35C with NOS stylus. Goldring G820 with NOS stylus. Shure M55E with NOS stylus.
CD Player: Audiocom-modified Sony X-777ES/DAS-R1 DAC.
Tape Deck: Tandberg TCD 310, fully restored and recalibrated as new, by RDE, plus upgraded with heads from the TCD-420a. Also with matching TM4 Norway microphones.
Preamps: Heavily-modified Croft Charisma-X. LDR Stereo Coffee. Power Amps: Tube Distinctions Copper Amp fitted with Tungsol KT-150s. Quad 306.
Cables & Sundries: Mark Grant HDX1 interconnects and digital coaxial cable, plus Mark Grant 6mm UP-LCOFC Van Damme speaker cable. MCRU 'Ultimate' mains leads. Lehmann clone headphone amp with vintage Koss PRO-4AAA headphones.
Tube Distinctions digital noise filter. VPI HW16.5 record cleaning machine.
Speakers: Tannoy 15MGs in Lockwood cabinets with modified crossovers. 1967 Celestion Ditton 15.
Protect your HUMAN RIGHTS and REFUSE ANY *MANDATORY* VACCINE FOR COVID-19!
Also **SAY NO** to unjust 'vaccine passports' or certificates, which are totally incompatible with a FREE society!!!
Site Owner/Administrator
Location: Wrexham, North Wales, UK
Posts: 110,012
I'm AudioAl'sArbiterForPISHANTO.
Cool. Let us know how you get on
Marco.
Main System
Turntable: Heavily-modified Technics SL-1210MK5G [Mike New bearing/ETP platter/Paul Hynes SR7 PSU & reg mods]. Funk Firm APM Achromat/Nagaoka GL-601 Crystal Record Weight/Isonoe feet & boots/Ortofon RS-212D/Denon DL-103GL in Denon PCL-300 headshell with Funk Firm Houdini/Kondo SL-115 pure-silver cartridge leads.
Paul Hynes MC head amp/SR5 PSU. Also modded Lentek head amp/Denon AU-310 SUT.
Other Cartridges: Nippon Columbia (NOS 1987) Denon DL-103. USA-made Shure SC35C with NOS stylus. Goldring G820 with NOS stylus. Shure M55E with NOS stylus.
CD Player: Audiocom-modified Sony X-777ES/DAS-R1 DAC.
Tape Deck: Tandberg TCD 310, fully restored and recalibrated as new, by RDE, plus upgraded with heads from the TCD-420a. Also with matching TM4 Norway microphones.
Preamps: Heavily-modified Croft Charisma-X. LDR Stereo Coffee. Power Amps: Tube Distinctions Copper Amp fitted with Tungsol KT-150s. Quad 306.
Cables & Sundries: Mark Grant HDX1 interconnects and digital coaxial cable, plus Mark Grant 6mm UP-LCOFC Van Damme speaker cable. MCRU 'Ultimate' mains leads. Lehmann clone headphone amp with vintage Koss PRO-4AAA headphones.
Tube Distinctions digital noise filter. VPI HW16.5 record cleaning machine.
Speakers: Tannoy 15MGs in Lockwood cabinets with modified crossovers. 1967 Celestion Ditton 15.
Protect your HUMAN RIGHTS and REFUSE ANY *MANDATORY* VACCINE FOR COVID-19!
Also **SAY NO** to unjust 'vaccine passports' or certificates, which are totally incompatible with a FREE society!!!
Moderator & Terminator!
Location: N E Kent
Posts: 51,625
I'm Geoff.
Cheapish TVC: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Stevens-an...cAAOSwYL9Zv4v0
It is impossible for anything digital to sound analogue, because it isn't analogue!
Not cheapish enough mate, Not to worry. I will persevere and report back.
Banned
Location: NE England
Posts: 4,173
I'm Jez.
Quite likely..... IMHO maybe 20% or more of everything people report abut the sound of their system is simply imagined! I obviously include myself in this...And you erroneously believe that I erroneously believe otherwise!
If a system's overall 'gain structure' can't be sub-optimal, then why is Oliver experiencing, to use his terminology, "matching misery" with a passive preamp - or perhaps he's just imagining it all?
Marco.
People keep reporting differences which simply cannot exist and human imagination (as a catch all for expectation bias, placebo effect, mood swings etc) must be behind this.
I started a thread once about the way, now and then, my system will sound truly dreadful to my ears even though nothing whatsoever has changed, been adjusted etc since the previous day... I'm even playing the same record that has remained on the platter since the last listening session when it all sounded wonderful! All down to mood changes or to how receptive to the illusion of reality in sound my ear/brain combination is on that day I guess. The problem comes when non technical people ascribe any such "differences" to things which aren't even possible...
Arkless Electronics-Engineered to be better. Tel. 01670 530674 (after 1pm)
Modded Thorens TD150, Audio Technica AT-1005 MkII, Technics EPC-300MC, Arkless Hybrid MC phono stage, Arkless passive pre, Arkless 50WPC Class A SS power amp, (or) Arkless modded Leak Stereo 20, Modded Kef Reference 105/3's
ReVox PR99, Studer B62, Ferrograph Series 7, Tandberg TCD440, Hitachi FT-5500MkI, also FT-5500MkII
Digital: Yamaha CDR-HD1500 (Digital Swiss army knife-CD recorder, player, hard drive, DAC and ADC in one), PC files via 24/96 sound card and SPDIF, modded Philips CD850, modded Philips CD104, modded DPA Little Bit DAC. Sennheiser HD580 cans with Arkless Headphone amp.
Cables- free interconnects that come with CD players, mains leads from B&Q, dead kettles etc, extension leads from Tesco
Banned
Location: NE England
Posts: 4,173
I'm Jez.
oh and mono vol pots is another thing that can't make a difference... A stereo vol pot is just two mono ones on the same shaft! If not shielded and impedances are high then it could have a tiny (and I mean tiny!) difference in crosstalk but it would still be 10x better than the source in this respect!
Arkless Electronics-Engineered to be better. Tel. 01670 530674 (after 1pm)
Modded Thorens TD150, Audio Technica AT-1005 MkII, Technics EPC-300MC, Arkless Hybrid MC phono stage, Arkless passive pre, Arkless 50WPC Class A SS power amp, (or) Arkless modded Leak Stereo 20, Modded Kef Reference 105/3's
ReVox PR99, Studer B62, Ferrograph Series 7, Tandberg TCD440, Hitachi FT-5500MkI, also FT-5500MkII
Digital: Yamaha CDR-HD1500 (Digital Swiss army knife-CD recorder, player, hard drive, DAC and ADC in one), PC files via 24/96 sound card and SPDIF, modded Philips CD850, modded Philips CD104, modded DPA Little Bit DAC. Sennheiser HD580 cans with Arkless Headphone amp.
Cables- free interconnects that come with CD players, mains leads from B&Q, dead kettles etc, extension leads from Tesco
Jez, there is no possible way even you couldn't hear what i am talking about. I know your a believer in science but there is just no way i am imagining it.
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