Messages

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HiFi Audio Equipment Discussion / Re: The preamp thread

« on: October 06, 2016, 11:23:43 PM »

If you think you can find a really top notch active preamp for a budget price, let me know - I'll be real interested.

I'd be real interested too. Finding the right preamp turned out to be the most difficult step in my setup. Tube or SS? SE or Balanced (ok no contest, the answer is always balanced for me). Is the preamp a true balanced design? How is the volume control done (balanced requires a 4-channel volume control. Is it LDR, resister ladder, TVC, volume pot ...)? and finally, how many outputs does it have (The more the merrier. My current pre has 2 variable and 1 fixed outputs. i use all 3)? This is on top of the usual features of preamps such as channel balance etc.

At one point, the pre turned out to be my most expensive component for something that doesn't seem to have much functionality... As Watchdog puts it, just a gain stage and volume control..
Must say it turned out to be a pretty interesting and rewarding journey though. 

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HiFi Audio Equipment Discussion / Re: Bi-wiring - Yea or nay

« on: October 06, 2016, 11:14:14 PM »

I personally like the idea of bi-wiring though its not steeped in any logical basis other than it looks cool (this is not logical too), and potentially allows you to bi-amp in the future.

Interestingly though when I started looking for hi-end speakers, I struggled to find companies/speakers that provided bi-wiring options. Many of my shortlisted speakers only had a single pair of binding posts. Some of my options included Rockport, Verity, Vivid Giya etc. The most common explanation was that the designer had already designed the speakers, in particular the crossovers, optimally with just single-wire and found that bi-wiring had no benefit.

So... no choice, just go with single wire