Advice on Quad power amps.

[Mikeandvan]

The 306/little bear is definitely sounding a bit rough, not a keeper in its current state. Get a better pre may'be?

[Light Dependant Resistor]

The 306/little bear is definitely sounding a bit rough, not a keeper in its current state. Get a better pre may'be?

With contact-less switching / volume , makes all the difference.

[fatmarley]

The little bear can't add distortion the same way an active preamp can. Passives do sound different but your pre/power is definitely not what's causing the problem you're hearing, unless there's a fault.

[Macca]

The little bear can't add distortion the same way an active preamp can. Passives do sound different but your pre/power is definitely not what's causing the problem you're hearing, unless there's a fault.

Exactly and neither can speakers cables or interconnects. So all that leaves is source and speakers, one or both must have problems.

[Light Dependant Resistor]

The little bear can't add distortion the same way an active preamp can. Passives do sound different but your pre/power is definitely not what's causing the problem you're hearing, unless there's a fault.

This shows otherwise: https://pinkfishmedia.net/forum/thre...tortion.68076/
Thankfully you do not need contacts involved with attenuation, its just a matter of making the better choice.

[Bigman80]

This shows otherwise: https://pinkfishmedia.net/forum/thre...tortion.68076/
Thankfully you do not need contacts involved with attenuation, its just a matter of making the better choice.

I've been saying for what seems like yonks now, that potentiometers like the Alps (especially the Alps) are the bottleneck in any system. They are fitted because of the cheap cost, reliability and channel balance accuracy. NOT because they are best for the sound. It's understandable. £11 for an Alps blue compared to £200 for a top class stepped attenuator.

Thanks for posting that link.

I'm hoping to get a listen to the Stereo Coffee shortly and will be doing a DCB1 v The Truth preamp bakeoff next week.

[Mikeandvan]

Exactly and neither can speakers cables or interconnects. So all that leaves is source and speakers, one or both must have problems.

Is there anyway I can check my speakers for faults? Apart from listening of course!

[struth]

could be the main amp easily. i agree a passive shouldnt give that effect.

[Macca]

Is there anyway I can check my speakers for faults? Apart from listening of course!

Swap in another pair is the simplest way. Don't need to be anything fancy, just a set that are known to be 100% - it could be a loose connection somewhere in the speakers, it could also be an issue with your cdp so if you can substitute there as well you can narrow down the issue.

[Pepperamip]

Mike am I right in thinking this is the first time you've used both the pre and power in any circumstances? If so you might have a prob with the 306 however unlikely that is with it's tank like build. If you have access to your old amp I'd stick that back in just to pin point it to either of the two newbies.