chet
Minor Hero
Posts: 48
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Post by chet on Sept 25, 2012 17:13:27 GMT -5
Hello!
A few months ago, I set up my dream (don't these things change too often!?) 2 channel system:
XDA-1 --> XLR --> XPA-2 --> ERT 8.3s.
It sounds great - except, at times I feel the highs are a little bright (despite setting the speaker tweeter to -2). I don't have any options in terms of speaker positioning.
I also heard that the XDA-1 has a lossy volume control. It is my primary volume control - and I cannot get the volume above 30 or 35 without my ear drums protesting.
I read somewhere that I can get around both these problems by using an attenuator - like the Harrison Labs 12dB attenuator.
Does anyone have advice on this? Or is there a better solution?
Thanks in advance!
-Chet
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Post by roadrunner on Sept 25, 2012 17:37:36 GMT -5
Using the attenuaters will allow you to keep the XDA-1 volume at a higher level, thus helping to overcome some of the lossy digital distortion, but it is still going to be a problem. You need a solution that allows you to keep the DAC at full output. This can be accomplished several different ways, but the two most common solutions would be to use a DAC with lossless volume control, like the upcoming XDA-2, or route the output from the XDA-1 into a good analog stereo pre-amp, like the USP-1 or XSP-1.
If most of your source components are all digital, the best solution would be to replace the XDA-1 with the XDA-2. That would give you a killer 2-channel system with the XDA-2 >> XPA-2 >> ERT-8.3.
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Post by The Mad Norseman on Sept 25, 2012 18:02:22 GMT -5
Hello! A few months ago, I set up my dream (don't these things change too often!?) 2 channel system: XDA-1 --> XLR --> XPA-2 --> ERT 8.3s. It sounds great - except, at times I feel the highs are a little bright (despite setting the speaker tweeter to -2). I don't have any options in terms of speaker positioning. I also heard that the XDA-1 has a lossy volume control. It is my primary volume control - and I cannot get the volume above 30 or 35 without my ear drums protesting. I read somewhere that I can get around both these problems by using an attenuator - like the Harrison Labs 12dB attenuator. Does anyone have advice on this? Or is there a better solution? Thanks in advance! -Chet How about a proper pre-amp? (Maybe one that even has some room correction, or built in frequency EQ adjustment possibilities?). Even without EQ, either way, it would likely help... Good luck! |
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chet
Minor Hero
Posts: 48
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Post by chet on Sept 26, 2012 20:09:02 GMT -5
Ah yes, either the XDA-2 or the XSP-1 are on the cards.  Maybe in a few months. |
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Post by garbulky on Sept 26, 2012 20:28:05 GMT -5
The attenuator with my XDA-1 UPA-2 which has the same gain circuit but less power...
It allows me to play things at between 5-20 volume steps higher than I used to. I have been able to get as high as 70's. But usually I cruise at around 50- 60 for critical listening and about 30 to 40 for low level background listening. So short answer is that it allows me to set the volume a little higher but not as much as you think. However, I feel that doing so did make a difference audibly though subtle. It will probably be even better with a pre-amp. If I got a pre-amp I would still experiment with the attenuator. I found with the attenuator, the sound signature changed and my speakers didn't sound as harsh at louder volumes. It was a positive difference for music but not as much for movies. I consider it a worthwhile investment.
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chet
Minor Hero
Posts: 48
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Post by chet on Sept 26, 2012 20:34:26 GMT -5
garbulky - do you have any suggestions as to brands I should consider? Decibel rating?
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Post by altpensacola on Sept 27, 2012 22:41:30 GMT -5
except, at times I feel the highs are a little bright if it only happens sometimes perhaps you'd be just throwing money at trying to fix inferior recordings, when you should be tossing them out. |
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Deleted
Deleted Member
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Post by Deleted on Sept 27, 2012 22:59:34 GMT -5
> The attenuator...
> ...short answer is that it allows me to set the volume a little higher. I consider it a worthwhile investment.
Instead of the attenuators that all you guys are buying; wouldn't it be a lot cheaper to just buy a smaller amplifier in the first place? You're mounting a jet engine on a skateboard, then dragging an anchor so you don't go too fast.
/b
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Post by garbulky on Sept 27, 2012 23:31:03 GMT -5
> The attenuator... > ...short answer is that it allows me to set the volume a little higher. I consider it a worthwhile investment. Instead of the attenuators that all you guys are buying; wouldn't it be a lot cheaper to just buy a smaller amplifier in the first place? You're mounting a jet engine on a skateboard, then dragging an anchor so you don't go too fast. /b Oh I like my powerful amplifier. That's why I bought it.  For me the worthwhile investment was that it didn't sound as congested now on louder dynamic swings. Also the sound signature changed. It was a subtle change and some may not notice it. I don't know if it made this a more or less accurate sound but it is more pleasing and realistic for music for me. The ability to turn it up higher and have less of the xda-1's lossy volume control in the equation was also a bonus. Anyway, my upa-2 gets driven to full power at 1.4 V or something. The XDA-1 can output at 2V levels. In their previous specs they mentioned it does dynamic swings of 12 V. (Side note: However it has been mentioned that that's for XLR and not unbalanced only shows the "potential". ) Anyway, it makes me think that its possible that my upa-2 may be getting overloaded on the input which is why the attenuator sounds better to my ear. I have no way to prove this assumption as I don't a volt meter or have enough knowledge on what happens when the power amplifier recieves a greater signal than it needs to be driven to full power. But that's my guess. Either way, without the attenuated it does have a compressed/slightly unnatural feeling at times with dynamics and this feeling is reduced with the attenuator. Here's an article which has some similar thoughts that I had no idea about when I experimented with the attenuator. www.enjoythemusic.com/magazine/equipment/0803/rothwell.htmexcept, at times I feel the highs are a little bright if it only happens sometimes perhaps you'd be just throwing money at trying to fix inferior recordings, when you should be tossing them out. I think he notices it on certain dynamic sections which would be sometimes. garbulky - do you have any suggestions as to brands I should consider? Decibel rating? I don't have a specific brand but I know somebody that has used this and liked it. He reported no decrease in quality. I would recommend 12 db. www.parts-express.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?Partnumber=266-244 |
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Maybe in a few months. 
