XSP-1 Tape Monitor?

[EMO_tional]

Wiil the XSP have a PROPER Tape Monitor?

You know, old-school style, one that lets us hear the return on the main.
Even my cheapo JVC crap-a$$ receiver does this.

Some of us have EQ's we want to punch in and out of the system.

[RPA-1 man]

I believe it will.

[phyzar]

Even better:
It will have a switchable processor loop especially for equalizers. (See Emotiva´s flickr pictures)
I hope it will be switchable via remote.

Cheers

Wieland

[rclark]

what exactly does a tape monitor do?

[EMO_tional]

Nov 24, 2010 22:01:58 GMT -5 rclark said:

what exactly does a tape monitor do?

In the bad old days, when we had tape decks, most preamps and receivers had "tape loops"

Really just a signal loop to send the audio out and then back in. EQ's were also designed to take advantage of the "Tape Out" or "Tape Monitor" loop.

Normaly you don't want anything between your pre and power amps, that's why a tape loop was so useful, for EQ, you could switch it in, or out. You weren't forced to pass the signal through another device.

See, normaly, when you hit the tape monitor button, you can hear the signal that's being fed out the loop.

The USP-1 DOES have a record loop and a Tape monitor, however when you press the actual "Tape Monitor" button, you hear....well, nothing.

Actually, I really don't know WHY the tape monitor button even exists on the USP-1, it doesn't seem to do anything. When I connect my EQ to the tape loop, I get a full time signal constantly into the EQ, without having to press the tape button.

The manual doesn't seem to explain it either.

Al I know is, nothing happens at all, when I push it.....

[gman1234]

Yes, I WANT MY TAPE LOOP! More and more MFR's are omitting the traditional loop many of us still want. Is the XSP-1 a replacement for the USP-1?

[jimbailey]

Nov 25, 2010 2:40:03 GMT -5 EMO_tional said:

Nov 24, 2010 22:01:58 GMT -5 rclark said:

Actually, I really don't know WHY the tape monitor button even exists on the USP-1, it doesn't seem to do anything.

It acts just like another input. If you attach something to the tape monitor inputs, it will be selected. With a true tape monitor loop, the previous input should appear at the tape outputs, but as you've noted it doesn't work that way. I've still got two tape decks and so would also appreciate the classical loop architecture on the XSP-1.

[RPA-1 man]

I have a DBX 3BX III, an EQ and a 3-head cassette deck. I don't always have them in my system but I really enjoyed having the ADAPTER loop and TAPE loop in the RSP-1. As Jim and EMO_tional stated it is a great way to insert and remove these devices from the signal path. Without these "true" loops the only way I can use these devices is to have them hooked up between the preamp and power amp. It's not really that big of a deal, I just prefer to be able to switch them completely out of the signal path when I'm not using them. I know, call me anal. I can take it.

[tito]

My Onkyo Grand Integra A-G10 has a real Tape monitor and a processor loop, plus a 4 input excellent DAC. But its an integrated amplifier. Emotiva should include a tape monitor and processor switch, and a XDA-1 like DAC inside the XSP-1, there is enough room for everything inside the unit. Price it $200 more and you have the best full featured stereo preamp ever made.

[gman1234]

I think there is more noise in the system when devices are inserted bwtween the preamp and amp, rather than within the tape loop. It has to do with the constant voltage in a tape loop which I would guess is around 2 volts. In this scenario the attenuator is after the loop and attenuates any noise in the device. Put a Carver C9 in a tape loop and compare it to between the preamp and amp and you will hear the difference. Engineers refer to this as gain staging. If you are using a processor or Eq, you need a tape loop for this reason. Those of us who use processors such as these do want to switch them out a great deal of the time. I want my tape loop back!

[basicsystem]

This is an interesting discussion, but it seems like the processor loop is more for the DBX (I have one of those too) than a room equalizer. Using an equalizer in that loop will affect all outputs the same. What I want on the equalizer front would be something like Emo-Q, but maybe a little bit nicer. I want to be able to adjust my two mains and my two subs separately.

Question: If someone (not me, too expensive) had an Audyssey Sound Equalizer and they put it inline between the 4 XSP-1 outputs and their speakers would it significantly degrade the sound (per gman1234)?

Also: If anyone from Emo is listening: a product to fit that particular need would be a nice addition ...

[RPA-1 man]

I did have my Pioneer EQ (SG-750) hooked up between the USP-1 and RPA-1 with good success. I discovered from doing so that the SG-750 has an extremely low noise floor which made me very happy. I have also tried a Radio Shack eq, can't remember the model number because I returned it, but the noise floor was quite audible. I haven't tried the DBX in line yet as I'm out of rack space. With that said I still prefer to have these devices hooked in a proper loop so they can be totally removed from the signal path.

[gman1234]

Newer processors probably have a low noise floor and can be put between the preamp and the amps. However, even the cables themselves introduce some coloration, and the option to switch units out of the loop is a must for me. Also, being able to do so from remote is very nice for A/B comparisons. I had a B K pt 3 preamp that had this capability. I miss that. I would never use an equalizer, but I am a fan of crosstalk canceling devices such as Carver C9 or Hughes based SRS type processers. You need to be able to "take these out of the loop" as they do not sound good on all source material. Can't do that with the USP-1...

[EMO_tional]

I've been using my BSR EQ/SA between my USP-1 and SAE..

It seems to work well enough, I don't notice any extra noise, however sometimes I *think* it sounds a teeny bit grainier... then sometimes, it doesn't.

Perhaps I should try some sort of A/B box..

So for me, the jury is still out as to whether the EQ is causing a negative effect.

Still would prefer it on a loop though...

I passed on a Carver C2 to grab the USP-1, and the C2 HAS a proper tape monitor function.