The "danger" involving tape monitoring is in setting the monitor position in such a way as to create a feedback loop. You cannot do that if you correctly route the signal from out>in, out>in, and your preamp doesn't have Tape In on its selector switch as well as a monitor button. My CJ PV11 does, so I hve to be careful to avoid selecting Monitor 1 and Tape 1 at the same time...that would be a feedback loop! I use my Schiit Loki+ in the Tape 2 Monitor loop, and have my DAC plugged into Tape 1, so that works.
Tube buffer in tape loop@
Hi,I recently bought an Esoteric K03XD, which sounds absolutely amazing with most albums. I find some 90’s rock sounds a bit harsh, and I was considering adding a valve device. I use a Bryston MP26 pre-amp, and I was wondering if inserting a valve buffer (Icon Audio BA3) in the tape loop might be an idea.
Icon Audio suggests that the buffer is best placed between two components. As I really like the sound as it is for most albums, I am reluctant to do this. I was hoping that placing it in the tape loop might enable me to listen to the CD player, or any source, and hear the source as per normal when the switch on the Bryston in the "source" position, and hear the processed sound with that switch in the "tape" position.
Is that correct?
I came across a rather alarming post in a forum saying that this works, but that it is possible to seriously damage components or speakers if you put the switch in the "source" position. That seems odd to me, but there is so much I know I don’t know that I tend to be a bit cautious. Any advice would be appreciated.
Thanks.
Icon Audio suggests that the buffer is best placed between two components. As I really like the sound as it is for most albums, I am reluctant to do this. I was hoping that placing it in the tape loop might enable me to listen to the CD player, or any source, and hear the source as per normal when the switch on the Bryston in the "source" position, and hear the processed sound with that switch in the "tape" position.
Is that correct?
I came across a rather alarming post in a forum saying that this works, but that it is possible to seriously damage components or speakers if you put the switch in the "source" position. That seems odd to me, but there is so much I know I don’t know that I tend to be a bit cautious. Any advice would be appreciated.
Thanks.
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- 25 posts total
paleo12 OP
Another +1 for the Loki to fix tonal balances with, as I did here with this setup a couple of years ago. https://forum.audiogon.com/discussions/new-preamp-arrived/post?highlight=loki&postid=1819182#181... Cheers George |
Something else to look into is an old product by the name of "TDS Passive Audiophile". They retailed 20 years ago in the $400-$500 range and there was a much less expensive unit (claiming to use the same tech) that came out later on... https://www.musicdirect.com/accessories/ar-acoustic-research-tds-enhancer I tried them with both SS and DH/SET setups for late night listening @ lower than usual volume levels, and liked them. I still have the more expensive version around here somewhere (gave the cheaper version away). Both were sonically similar to one another. DeKay |
- 25 posts total