@insearchofprat.......Every pro amp I am familiar with ( which is many ), have input level controls, so they can be set, as mentioned above by jnorris, and also, to create level matching, in multi amp / speaker setups. Although a good volume pot might be at it’s best, at max setting, it should be fine at any other level. The Morrison ELAD is a very simply designed unit, and is more of a " straight wire with gain ", as opposed to your tubed preamp. I have not heard an ELAD in years, but I remember being involved in a preamp shootout, comparing it, to much more expensive, well known preamps, both tube and ss, and it showed less character, less sound of it’s own, compared to the others. I would try it, as it costs you nothing, as pointed out by rodman. There is nothing wrong with enjoying tubes, or any active gain stages, in your equipment chain. I like what I like, and I understand, very well, the variety of equipment available, and, the individuality, of every listener. But, when additional gain is not needed, and the stars line up between components ( gain and impedance matched ), for me, nothing like a good passive unit ( I happen to use a top Luminous Audio unit ). It is up to each individual, the sq outcome they are looking for, and without using the ELAD, you can still experiment ( Marantz into the Parasound ), as you will, as well, be using 1 less set of interconnects. Whatever YOU like best, that, is all that matters. Enjoy, stay safe and be well !
... Should I be concerned?
Hello to all...
So here I am, back again, still trying to "tune" my budget rig to the max "best to me sound":
CD only setup with over 10 yr old Marantz SA8001, into a Tube Line-level preamp, into a Parasound HCA-750 power amp, with homemade speaker cables (12g solid core copper wire, twisted; bare wire on both ends), at back of speaker same wire bent into C-shapes as jumpers... Speakers are KEF Q1s (luv'um).
On the back of the Parasound, there are volume knobs (so you could use the amp direct without a preamp) which I have up full ( as recommended to me thru another topic line). When I play music, I have so little volume adjustment available: I can't really get past 8 o'clock (from starting at 7) without it being too loud...
One question I have is: will I be degrading the sound if I " adjust" the volume pots on the rear of the power amp, so that I can have more control over the volume knob on the pre? I guess I' be shooting for a 10-11 o'clock on the pre, and I'll assume it means a great decrease in the setting on the power amp.
Could another tact be: to replace the volume knob/pot with an articulated one, one that would click increases as I turn it?
This may be a foolish question - but any info or suggestions (other than criticism or sarcasm) would be greatly appreciated... Best Wishes to all - Be Well.
So here I am, back again, still trying to "tune" my budget rig to the max "best to me sound":
CD only setup with over 10 yr old Marantz SA8001, into a Tube Line-level preamp, into a Parasound HCA-750 power amp, with homemade speaker cables (12g solid core copper wire, twisted; bare wire on both ends), at back of speaker same wire bent into C-shapes as jumpers... Speakers are KEF Q1s (luv'um).
On the back of the Parasound, there are volume knobs (so you could use the amp direct without a preamp) which I have up full ( as recommended to me thru another topic line). When I play music, I have so little volume adjustment available: I can't really get past 8 o'clock (from starting at 7) without it being too loud...
One question I have is: will I be degrading the sound if I " adjust" the volume pots on the rear of the power amp, so that I can have more control over the volume knob on the pre? I guess I' be shooting for a 10-11 o'clock on the pre, and I'll assume it means a great decrease in the setting on the power amp.
Could another tact be: to replace the volume knob/pot with an articulated one, one that would click increases as I turn it?
This may be a foolish question - but any info or suggestions (other than criticism or sarcasm) would be greatly appreciated... Best Wishes to all - Be Well.
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- 39 posts total
- 39 posts total