Slanski- Glad you're still here! I used to own a BAT and would never talk them down. The question of passive vs. active has been the focus of much of the discussion, engendered by your comments about how much attenuation you are employing, which indicates excessive overall system gain, which has sparked the discussion about passive "pre-amps". You may also know that Georgelofi is designer/builder of the Lightspeed Attenuator aka LSA. He has very generously made his design available to the DIY community and also sells finished product. Obviously, he is a strong advocate of passive pre-amps and as many have stated, the LSA may be the biggest "bang for the buck" item currently available in high end audio. However, that does not guarantee that it is the best product to help realize your goals for your system. Maybe yes, maybe no. Another, similar option would be a tube buffer w attenuator/volume control. Others w more technical knowledge than me can tell you why that might be an appropriate option under certain circumstances.
Is my preamp useless?
I enjoy my current system, which is built around a BAT VK-52SE preamp. I listen mostly to digital, via a Bryston BDP-2 player into a PS Audio DSD. I also enjoy vinyl on my VPI Classic/Dynavector/Sutherland 20-20 combo. Like most of us, I’m usually on the upgrade path. For me, the next component to upgrade would be the BAT preamp from a 52SE to a 53SE. But something occurred to me. I don’t listen loud. The gain on my PSA DSD is set to less than 100 and the BAT preamp is usually set between -20 and -10. So if my volume control is never set in the + range, is my preamp doing ANYTHING other than attenuating the volume and serving as a multi-input switch? Is all that Super Tube, single gain stage, zero feedback, high energy storage circuitry a waste of money?
Don’t get me wrong. I am very pleased with the sounds I hear. But if my pre isn’t doing anything, then I’d be better off to sell it and get a very simple passive attenuator, wouldn’t I? If that’s the case, what brands and models should I listen to?
Thanks for any advice.
Don’t get me wrong. I am very pleased with the sounds I hear. But if my pre isn’t doing anything, then I’d be better off to sell it and get a very simple passive attenuator, wouldn’t I? If that’s the case, what brands and models should I listen to?
Thanks for any advice.
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- 128 posts total
Zd- I've never heard a Placette. It has some distinct features that would appeal to many (remote and/or input switching) but it's 2 - 2.5X the price of the LSA. Have you ever heard one? Regardless of George's proselytizing, it's a damn good product. The fact that he has made the circuit publicly available and provides support for DIY'ers makes me think he deserves some slack. |
03-23-15: Zd542 There was an A/B done here: http://forum.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/fr.pl?aamps&1276356977&openflup&1421&4#1421 And before that, he had a TRL pre. Cheers George |
- 128 posts total