Sounds like the HI-FI Plus cd was mastered at low volume and you max out the gain in the Sphinx pre.
Recommnedations for moderately price balanced IC's, and adaptors to an RCA end
The title of the thread may be a bit unclear. However, I need recommendations for a "moderately" price balanced interconnects. Also, are there quality adaptors to convert a balanced end into an RCA input or output without major signal loss??
I want to use my Rogue Sphinx hybrid integrated as a pre-amp because it has a variable output (pre-out) for an second amplifier, and connect it to a Balanced Audio Technology VK-200 amp that will only accept balanced. IC's
The Rogue integrated has all RCA input and outputs .Therefore, I also need a recommendation for two XLR to RCA adapters. Eventually, I will buy a separate pre-amp, possibly the new Rogue RP-1.
Thank you
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- 32 posts total
Sunnyjim & Mesch, thanks very much for the nice words. Jim, I'm hard-pressed to think of a musical passage that is more likely to bring out a marginal volume range/system gain condition than the finale of the "Firebird," due to its incredible dynamic range. Perhaps that is why you chose to listen to it in your initial evaluation. I have on LP the digitally recorded version of the Suite that was issued by Telarc ca. 1980, with Robert Shaw conducting the Atlanta Symphony. Like most or all Telarc recordings it was subjected to little or no dynamic compression when it was produced, the result being that the whisper-like level of the opening notes will tempt one to turn up the volume control higher than on pretty much any other recording I can think of. While some of the notes a few minutes later, especially the one at the very end, will reach or exceed the maximum sound pressure level that can be produced by many highly regarded systems. Depending on how much dynamic compression was introduced when the version on your sampler was engineered it seems conceivable to me that both of the factors you mentioned, plus the dynamic range of the recording, plus the possibility I mentioned earlier that the unspecified gain between the Sphinx's line level inputs and its variable line-level output may be little or none, may all have contributed to the fact that you max'd out the volume setting on that recording. Hopefully that will not happen with very many of your other recordings, until such time as you purchase a preamp. Best regards, -- Al |
P.S: For those who may be interested, the finale of the Robert Shaw/Atlanta Symphony/Telarc recording of Stravinsky's "Firebird Suite" that I referred to begins at 17:23 of the following YouTube video. You'll have to turn the volume on your computer speakers **way** up to hear anything at that point, but be sure to turn it down as the music gets louder! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y5Or4x6RXyU Regards, -- Al |
Almarg, Thanks for the response. So far so good using BAT VK-200 hooked to the pre-out of the Sphinx integrated. I was playing the last LP of the "Mozart's Six Sonatas Dedicated to Haydn" played by the Quartetto Italiano on a the Philips label. Even though the pops and clicks, the recording is still stellar, and VK-200 lent a greater sense of presence to the performance. I quirkily followed up with Grateful Dead's "Europe '72 CD which supposedly was remastered with reduced noise compared the original LP with the booklet insert of pix from their famous tour. It sounded good and I could hear the ambience of the Olympia Theater in Paris playing "Sugar Magnolia" They really were on their game on this tour. However, while listening, I wondered if this recording could have been much better, that is more definition, clarity, transparency in the midrange I know that the Dead's sound crew recorded on tape directly off of the mixing board which probably has both pros and cons. This issue "clarity" may be the "stuff" for a new thread. This issue haunts Derek and the Dominos's album "Layla" Magnificent playing from the band especially Clapton and Duane Allman. I have the gold Mobile Fidelity CD and though better than the LP version, it still sounds somewhat muffled or lacking in overall clarity. However, some track sound better than others, especially "Little Wing", "Key to the Highway" and "Nobody knows when You are Down and Out" |
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