Interesting Questions: Inquiry minds would love to know???

[chinets]

Hi All,

Very high end processors are supposed to have good analogue pass through, yet not up to par when comparing to high end pre-amps for pure stereo listening.

Two questions: Is it possible to have both an independent pre-amp to run the two front speakers then run into a pre/processor with the rest of the set-up. Also, are there any 3 channel stereo pre-amps (left, center, right channels).

Inquiry minds would like to know and learn !! :roll:



Thank you In anticipation ,and for your kind help everyone. :W

Regards and cheers ;x(

[chinets]

No help on these questions yet!! Ouch friends!!
Cheers!

[wkhanna]

Very high end processors are supposed to have good analogue pass through, yet not up to par when comparing to high end pre-amps for pure stereo listening.

Two questions: Is it possible to have both an independent pre-amp to run the two front speakers then run into a pre/processor with the rest of the set-up.

Yes, using your I/C cables, run the front-left and front-right outputs from your pre-pro to one set of inputs on your 2-ch preamp. Run I/C's from your 2-ch preamp to the amp that you use for your front-left and front-right speakers.

When you listen to your two channel source/s, everything runs normally.

When you want to use your pre-pro, you must select the input on your 2-ch pre that you ran the I/C's to.
Once you hook it up this way, you must calibrate the volume on the 2-ch preamp to match the volume setting on the pre-pro. This is easily done with your Radio Shack SPL meter. Once you have the volume calibrated, mark the position of the volume knob on the 2-ch pre for future reference. I use a little white arrow with adhesive on the back, but a small piece of tape would work just as well.

Also, are there any 3 channel stereo pre-amps (left, center, right channels).(

I have seen multi channel pre's, I don't know if there is a three channel one, though.

[Kal Rubinson]

I have seen multi channel pre's, I don't know if there is a three channel one, though.

That's because there's no need for one. An independent 3 channel preamp, used with another for the remaining channels, would leave the user needing to coordinate volume levels on two devices.

Kal

[JonMarsh]

There are two channel Preamps with pass through modes like the Ayre K5xe that have a pass through mode for integration into an HT setup.


K5xe spec PDF


The weak point for most Pre-Pro's trying to do high end audio (IMO) is the specific electronic volume control chips that virtually ALL processors in the industry use from Cirrus Logic, the CS33XX family. Volume controls of any type are a problem, and these just aren't SOTA solutions if you're used to things like good Shalco silver contact switched ladder attenuators, some of the transformer switched attenuators, or the custom JFET controlled solution that Ayre uses.

For as simple a concept as a line level preamp with volume control is, they're surprisingly hard to get really "right". A quick comparison of many premps against a good passive design with short high quality cables direct into your power amps will reveal this pretty well if you have good source components. Even with average source components, you'll probably readily pick up on this.

~Jon

[zmanbands]

Jon

Do you know what type volume controls are on an Audio Research Sp 11? There are two of them.

[Andrew M Ward]

Hi All,

Very high end processors are supposed to have good analogue pass through, yet not up to par when comparing to high end pre-amps for pure stereo listening.

Two questions: Is it possible to have both an independent pre-amp to run the two front speakers then run into a pre/processor with the rest of the set-up. Also, are there any 3 channel stereo pre-amps (left, center, right channels).

Inquiry minds would like to know and learn !! :roll:



Thank you In anticipation ,and for your kind help everyone. :W

Regards and cheers ;x(

Classe' SSP-600
works great with any 2 channel Pre (see James Dean)

[JonMarsh]

Do you know what type volume controls are on an Audio Research Sp 11? There are two of them.

They're 22 position detented conductive plastic potentiometers. Certainly ahead of the digital attenuator controls Pre-Pros usually use.

The SP11 is an interesting piece, responsible for ARC's comeback after introducing some pretty mediocre solid state components (i.e., D100). The first volume control is mainly there to prevent overloading of the input stage gain block. The SP11 is a somewhat quirky design from the viewpoint of user interface, but it's a great sounding preamp for it's day (circa 1986), especially if you have a vinyl setup.

~Jon

[wkhanna]

Hi John.
I was recently investigating passive pre-amps, and the possibility of making my own.

http://glass-ware.stores.yahoo.net/aikampstepat.html

With a kit like this, would it be reasonable to expect improvements in the SQ of a mid-level system like mine using a CA 640 CDp, Rotel RM990BX, and 67 litre Nat P's?
I plan on adding a TT ($600 range) in the near future with a tube phono stage, which is what led me to the consideration of a passive pre.

[zmanbands]

Thanks Jon

I don't have my Oracle TT working at present. My Sp 11 was just in the factory for the first time in 21 years. They did an overhaul and upgraded the phono stage. The later they did for free without my asking. Fantastic customer support. Wkhanna, when you get your TT bring it over and we will try some of my 1000 LP's.

[JonMarsh]

Hi John.
I was recently investigating passive pre-amps, and the possibility of making my own.

http://glass-ware.stores.yahoo.net/aikampstepat.html

With a kit like this, would it be reasonable to expect improvements in the SQ of a mid-level system like mine using a CA 640 CDp, Rotel RM990BX, and 67 litre Nat P's?
I plan on adding a TT ($600 range) in the near future with a tube phono stage, which is what led me to the consideration of a passive pre.

Don't know how that one would do- the price is certainly reasonable, but I wonder what the switch contacts are and how'll they'll hold up.

The Marchand PR41 is available with a Shallco rotary switch volume control with coin silver contacts; I have one and can speak to the quality; it's the same kind of switched volume attenuator used in the top of the line Ayre active preamp. You can also buy just the attenuator assembly, if you're adding it to your own DIY project. They can do balanced versions and multichannel versions; probably the optimum way to work with a DCX2496, using a straight digital input.




I use the PR41 for speaker testing and for voicing testing straight through into an Aragon 8008. Mine is the 46 step version with Shallco switch of course.

Take a look at this page.

[wkhanna]

Maybe I should just have it shipped to your place, since I currently have Zero number of those big black round thingies!

[wkhanna]

Take a look at this page.

Thank you, Sir Jon ;x(

[Briz vegas]

There are two channel Preamps with pass through modes like the Ayre K5xe that have a pass through mode for integration into an HT setup.


K5xe spec PDF


The weak point for most Pre-Pro's trying to do high end audio (IMO) is the specific electronic volume control chips that virtually ALL processors in the industry use from Cirrus Logic, the CS33XX family. Volume controls of any type are a problem, and these just aren't SOTA solutions if you're used to things like good Shalco silver contact switched ladder attenuators, some of the transformer switched attenuators, or the custom JFET controlled solution that Ayre uses.

For as simple a concept as a line level preamp with volume control is, they're surprisingly hard to get really "right". A quick comparison of many premps against a good passive design with short high quality cables direct into your power amps will reveal this pretty well if you have good source components. Even with average source components, you'll probably readily pick up on this.

~Jon

Jon
What about the Conrad Johson CA200 - surely that has to have a high quality volume control? (also has theatre pass through). As a control amp it has a passive pre stage - I heard it the other day and it was pretty sweet.