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Do you ever use the balance on your pre amp?

I haven't had a balance control in ages. Since I moved (1.5years ago) my new crib has posed some major changes. Anyway, I found that the vocals on just about every recording were slightly off center, but enough to bug me. I new it was because of the set-up of my speakers in relation to the side walls. One speaker being near a side wall and one having no side wall. Anyway, my new pre amp has a balance control that I never thought to even look for. I know it's crazy. Anyway, today I'm listening to my tunes and after discovering the balance I centered my vocals. Not only is the centered vocal oh so palpable and visceral, but the entire soundscape. Whattayaknow...Any of you guys relate to my experience. Pre alzheimmers experience, as well...lol...
128x128warrenh
honest1
586 posts
 
Alhtough my room is asymmetrical, I don't need the balance control for normal listening. I do find it tremendously helpful for trouble-shootong when something is not quite right in the system, or for when someone is in the adjacent room near the right speaker, to turn that speaker down so as to not be too loud for that person.
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drubin
3,274 posts
 
I don't think Plato was joking at all. His are good suggestions, and so is a balance control.
warrenh's avatar
warrenh OP
2,299 posts
 
Drubin, I'm sorry, but I thought my post was clear about the room and not being able to do the things Plato was talking about...Plato, I think I hurt Drubin's feelings more than yours? If I'm wrong, didn't mean any harm. Not on Christmas. Any other day: beware...lol..I'm joking Drubin.
nuguy
195 posts
 
As long as your speakers are equadistant (I think that's a word) from your seating area, go for it. Since moving to the new house I have had to balance left 2 notches to centralize vocals. The room is not symetrical...what's a guy to do?
larryi
4,047 posts
 
I use the balance control. I don't know of a single setup where I thought the balance was so perfect that use of a balance control would not be of help.

It is quite surprising how noticeable even a small shift in balance can be perceived. I have (now a back up preamp) a Levinson No. 32 that allows balance and volume to be changed in .1 db! increments. It is impossible to reliably hear a .5 db change in volume with musical material, but it is quite easy to hear a .3 db shift in balance.

If the balance control is achieved by sending the signal through another set of potentiometers, then the control, at least in theory, degrades the signal. But, if the control is like that of the Levinson, a microprocessor is simply controlling the volume control resistor ladder to achieve balance control so the signal is no more degraded than it is by having a volume control.

My current linestage, an Emotive Audio Epifania, allows for microprocessor control of a resistor ladder to achieve balance control, but not in as fine increments as the Levinson. Good thing it sounds better than the Levinson.
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