Pass Labs “House Sound” vs. McIntosh “House Sound”

I do have a REL sub, which is blended quite well into the overall presentation/soundstage, but I often think I’m missing some 200hz and below or it’s getting sucked out of the source material.

Hi Todd,

If I understand correctly the chain you are using is:

Digital Source >> DEQX >> DSJ >> C2500 >> BHK300 monoblocks >> Speakers

Is that correct? 

Also, I'm wondering where and how the REL R-528SE sub is connected.  Specifically, if you are connecting it at speaker level what is the black wire in the Speakon cable connected to, which can be an issue given both that the amps are monoblocks and I believe also have differentially balanced outputs?  And if you are connecting the sub at line-level, given that the sub only provides a line-level input for one channel how are the two channels being summed together?

Also, regarding the experiment you conducted with the C2500 and the DSJ removed from the chain, findings that were reported to me privately by one of the other members who participated in the "Is DEQX A Game-Changer" thread, who like you used a Premate, suggest to me the possibility that the Premate's unbalanced analog outputs **might** be sonically superior to its balanced analog outputs.  So assuming (as appears likely) that your experiment was conducted using the Premate's balanced outputs it might be worthwhile repeating it using the unbalanced outputs. 

Best regards,
-- Al
 

@almarg Thanks Al!  That’s a great thread.  Correct in my signal chain.  I’ll swap out to RCA’s, see if that alters.  I do believe I may be approaching the point where an additional sub will have to be deployed, right now I just have 1.  

I’m using the RCA sub preout into the REL.  Interestingly, REL is imparting their filtering philosophy across all inputs, which made it a bit of a challenge to tame it with the DEQX.  There’s a massive spike at 50hz, stretching about 6db down to 30hz and 6db down to 80hz, which revealed itself when Larry/DEQXpert was comparing phasing and room measurements.  In light of this, I’ve been debating on replacing the REL as well.  

I would strongly suggest you consider the PS Audio BHK Sig preamp, too.  You run the 300 mono's and the DSJ DAC, so you know their equipment delivers.  I really like that preamp with my 300 mono's.  It sure is worth a try, and a demo wouldn't be too hard to come by.

@jbrrp1 thanks for the input.  You are 100% correct, their equipment does deliver and the industry needs more folks like Paul and his employees running these audio companies.  I've attempted to not like their equipment, rather, initially I attempted to be very biased.  Having lived in Colorado, it was super easy for me to demo.  Once the monoblocks were hooked up, there was no turning back.  Same happened with the DSJ.  

I had spent about 2 weeks with the BHK pre, I did like it.  I'll admit, it took me a few days to get used to it.  In the end, the lack of tone controls prevented me from swapping out my C2500 for it.  In my previous listening room with sound treatment, the speakers just didn't have enough room to breath and produced awkward "slurring/sibilance" scenarios.  We've since moved and the odd ball higher frequencies are no longer present.  At that time, I had to tone them down with a few notches of treble.  I figure if the road does lead to the BHK pre, I won't have much of an issue selling the Pass Labs.  With the DEQX, I have way more control over the sound than anyone could ever really need or want.  Due to this, the lack of tone controls on both the BHK and Pass Labs won't be an issue.  

I pulled the trigger on the Pass Labs, I'll see how I like it and if not, I'll pick up the BHK pre.  

Thanks for your input!

Funny!  I, too, was actually biased and skeptical about PS Audio gear, just because the "marketing" feel of the brand just was off-putting to me.  But I saw that a dealer for my same speakers really loved the match of the 300 Mono's in his system, so I decided to try them, and I am more than glad that I did.  They are a fabulous match and fabulous amps for the money, IME.

I'll be curious to hear your evaluation of the Pass preamp once you've had a chance to take its measure fully.  I am actually contemplating trying out their phono preamp.  Please report what you find some time!