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Post by why0why on Oct 21, 2016 9:51:18 GMT -5
Hi Everyone. I have been in the market for a stereo preamp and would love to get some thoughts from users of the PT-100. I currently only listen through the computer and a turntable. I have a Sound Blaster ZXR, which is very high end(their best card) and it has great DACS, optical, RCA, etc. I am running RCA out to a Rotel preamp from the 90's. This feeds 2 65x2 Carver amps that I just had completely refurbed. I have tried a lot of amps and these have been the consistent winner. I also have a 125x2 Parasound that is in the running. My speakers are B&W 602's. The speakers are bi-amped so they are getting 130w each. I also have an Infinity Primus sub crossed pretty low to get just that little extra, even though the B&W's are pretty solid.
The Rotel is nice, but it is really a theater receiver that is pushing 20 years old and it doesn't have a phono section. I have been considering something used like a Parasound P3(which doesn't have a DAC) since I have a good Dac, but something like the PT-100 really appeals to me. I would be curious to see if the Dac is better than what I am currently using. I like the look and simplicity of the PT-100. Anyone have any thoughts on the phono section and the quality of the DAC vs other types?
Thanks in advance!
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Post by creimes on Oct 21, 2016 10:37:34 GMT -5
Don't forget Emotiva has a 30 day trial as well  |
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Post by geebo on Oct 21, 2016 10:42:13 GMT -5
I like mine very much. I replaced an XDA-2 DAC and could not tell a difference in the end sound. I use the optional bluetooth module, FM, and a digital coax feed from a CD player. I have not tried the phono section yet.
Overall I'm very pleased. The menu system is a little different but once you get used to it it's very easy to use.
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Post by why0why on Oct 21, 2016 20:12:00 GMT -5
Thanks for the input. I may just order one since they are priced so well and see how it does.
Still love to hear some input on the phono section or other experience as well.
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Post by novisnick on Oct 21, 2016 21:04:05 GMT -5
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Post by creimes on Oct 21, 2016 21:58:29 GMT -5
Thanks for the input. I may just order one since they are priced so well and see how it does. Still love to hear some input on the phono section or other experience as well. For the price I would totally grab one for my little upstairs system but I don't have the disposable funds right now, I have always found Emotiva products a great value for the cost of ownership and the best person that could tell you if they like it is yourself which I'm sure you know haha. |
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Post by why0why on Oct 28, 2016 7:55:31 GMT -5
I missed your thread. Thanks for pointing me there. Thanks! I am still being indecisive. This at $300, a Parasound P3 for $375 or there is an XSP-1 for sale for $500. Still leaning towards the PT-100. |
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Post by Loop 7 on Oct 28, 2016 8:00:05 GMT -5
Even though temptation would get the best of me, I would likely wait to see what the Emersa line has to offer. Also, it's tough to go wrong with Parasound.
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Post by gzubeck on Oct 28, 2016 13:12:55 GMT -5
I'm just wondering how this dac preamp sounds in comparison to the schiit bifrost dac. I'm running a bifrost 4490 into my a-100 amp. Sounds fairly good with improved base and overall clarity.
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Post by audiotrex on Jan 26, 2017 2:10:03 GMT -5
Posted by gzubeck
Oct 28, 2016 at 1:12pm
I'm just wondering how this dac preamp sounds in comparison to the schiit bifrost dac. I'm running a bifrost 4490 into my a-100 amp. Sounds fairly good with improved base and overall clarity.
I have heard both. My friend has the Bifrost (new generation with akm-4490; but not multibit). I own the PT-100. Both units sound fantastic. I prefer the PT-100 and chose to purchase it rather than the Bifrost. I don't want to get too overly analytical with my explanation as to what each unit sounds like; because they both sound fantastic, which is to say that they sound musical, not as some ethereal audiophile quality, but rather the sound which is rendered sounds like music as it should sound. Instruments and vocals sound real, alive, and present, with fantastic tonal timbre, just as instruments and vocals should sound; cymbals have appropriate attack and natural decay rather than the often shortened muffled decay of inferior sound processing products; other than to say that I prefer the PT-100. I would put the PT-100 sound as very close to my Adcom GCD-750 with 4 of the legendary Burr Brown 1702's in discrete dual-differential configuration. The Analog Devices AD1955 chip in the PT-100 is also highly regarded; and is quite similar to the newer Burr Brown 1795/1796 units in design, from what I understand. Although, there are definitely differences as well. I prefer any of the above to any ESS Sabre implementations that I've ever heard as well. I highly recommend the PT-100. Buy it. You will love it. If not, you can always return it; but you'll be keeping it once you hear it! It haven't met anything at even 2 to 3 times the price that can compare.
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Post by Boomzilla on Jan 26, 2017 15:13:41 GMT -5
Hi WhyOwhy -
Alas, I can't advise you on the phono section of the PT-100, but I CAN comment on its built-in DAC... The DAC sounds (to my ears) much, MUCH better via its coaxial input than via its optical TOSLINK one. I'd also comment that the preamp sounds better into solid state amplifiers (which typically have between 5,000 and 25,000 ohms of input impedance) than it does into my tube amplifiers (which typically have 300,000 ohms of input impedance). I think this was probably a deliberate design choice by Emotiva, but I'm speculating about this. Whether or not a design feature, my opinion is that the preamp is at its best with solid state amplification.
Now back to the DAC - I've heard thousand-dollar DACs that sounded within spitting distance of the DAC in the PT-100. If I threw out the unit's other features, IMHO it would be a bargain just for the DAC. Now that said, I've not tried the USB input - only the optical & coax. And I've stated my preference for the sound of the coax input over the TOSLINK. YMMV
Overall, I don't think you can lose with a PT-100. Until Emotiva comes out with their XSP-2, I'm keeping my PT-100. I may even keep it after the new preamp comes out - its that good.
Cheers & happy shopping! Boom
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Post by garbulky on Jan 26, 2017 16:58:19 GMT -5
If you have a ZXR don't go for the PT-100. There's no point.
You should be looking at higher end units. But note that just because they cost more doesn't mean they sound better. Also...depending on your setup/experiences, you may not experience any differences in electronics no matter what you have.
If you like try out the Emotiva DC-1. It's got a nice DAC imo. I upgraded from an Asus Xonar Essence ST soundcard to an Emotiva XDA-1 and finally settled on the DC-1. But I can't guarantee that it will be a massive difference. You may only notice a small difference.
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Post by audiotrex on Jan 26, 2017 17:25:11 GMT -5
Hi WhyOwhy - Alas, I can't advise you on the phono section of the PT-100, but I CAN comment on its built-in DAC... The DAC sounds (to my ears) much, MUCH better via its coaxial input than via its optical TOSLINK one. I'd also comment that the preamp sounds better into solid state amplifiers (which typically have between 5,000 and 25,000 ohms of input impedance) than it does into my tube amplifiers (which typically have 300,000 ohms of input impedance). I think this was probably a deliberate design choice by Emotiva, but I'm speculating about this. Whether or not a design feature, my opinion is that the preamp is at its best with solid state amplification. Now back to the DAC - I've heard thousand-dollar DACs that sounded within spitting distance of the DAC in the PT-100. If I threw out the unit's other features, IMHO it would be a bargain just for the DAC. Now that said, I've not tried the USB input - only the optical & coax. And I've stated my preference for the sound of the coax input over the TOSLINK. YMMV Overall, I don't think you can lose with a PT-100. Until Emotiva comes out with their XSP-2, I'm keeping my PT-100. I may even keep it after the new preamp comes out - its that good. Cheers & happy shopping! Boom The phono section on the PT-100 is fantastic. I also prefer, and always have preferred, coax digital over optical every day and twice on Sunday! The asynchronous USB input on the PT-100 is also better than the optical regardless of lower sampling rate. It's a toss up between the USB Class 1 input and the coax for me at this point. Still evaluating my preference there. I think this PT-100 is a really sweet piece of gear. The price makes it a steal. It sounds fantastic through my Sunfire Classic Vacuum Tube Preamp through the Solid State Sunfire Cinema Grand Amplifier.  |
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Post by gman1234 on Jan 29, 2017 22:54:11 GMT -5
I am currently using the pt-100 WITH AN XPA-200. I have an XSP-1 gen.2 which is my primary preamplifier. I have also the xpa-1l gen.2 monoblocks which I do not think sound any better than the XPA-200. Currently out of my system are the Fusion 8100, umc200 processor and usp-1 preamplifier. I only mention these as to put in perspective my experience with Emotiva. Now here goes... The Pt-100 is an outstanding product for the money. You will not touch it anywhere near it price point. It is very listable in terms of imaging, specral balance, neutrality. It is not laid back, but never fatiging. It is very solid in maintaining solid bass. The bottom end is excellent. My turntable is the project RM 1.3 with upgraded soundsmith cartridge. The phono section seems the same as the xsp-1. However, the XSP-1 does sound very similar to the Pt-100, except the xsp-1 seems to to be slighly higher definition. I like the display on the Pt-100 as I can see it across the room. I can't read the xsp-1, it sucks to the point it aggravates me to no end. The xsp-1 has bass trim with bass management. The Pt-100 has a great bass treble control that provides great on the fly adjustments. The Pt-100 remote control, is limited both in form and function, however, I have programed macro controls in a Harmony remote to get to the bass level entry to solve this problem without having to use the menu functions on the original remote. The advantage of the xsp-1 of course is balanced connections, but that seems not pertinent to your setup. The xsp-1 has a nice (real) tape loop I use for a processor sometimes. The pt-100 does not. The issues with the PT-100's remote have been addressed on this forum. So I will sum up. The xsp-1 is simply the finest preamplifier on the market in terms of high end features and sound quality, and resolution. It's display is a deal breaker for me, however. The Pt-100 is 95 pecent of the way there in sound quality, and I like its display and slim profile. It's phono preamp does what it should and I trust that I am not losing any detail compared with my other Emotiva preamps or my Parasound outboard phono preamp. Lastly, I would like to comment on the USP-1 as a viable option (used). It performs real close to the xsp-1. I find the volume control moves in too large increments for me, and it's tape loop is not as good as the Xsp-1. The USP-1 has bass management. The lack of bass management in the Pt-100 can sometimes be solved by utilizing the crossovers in the sub, especially if it has low and highpass outputs in the sub. In short, the Pt-100 provides the best combination of price, performance and appearance. My digital sources are a Squeezebox duet and Oppo BDP-83. The digital section is excellent. Given the sound differences are probably even smaller through unbalanced connections, I would go with the Pt-100. Good luck!
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Post by dickhertz on Mar 6, 2017 5:27:52 GMT -5
You will never find a preamp that offers better performance than the pt-100 for the price....it is simply the best bang for your buck on the market today....I purchased one last week and it was delivered in 2 days and after 3 hours of listening to it married to the a-300 and paradigm studio 60v2s with a pioneer bdp51fd as the source I'm very happy. Fwiw I use clarity cables for speaker and digital coax conn. I bought the best rca interconnects from emotiva to use between pre/amp. DEAD QUIET. I'm sure it will sound even better over time but I can tell you I have heard a 25k levinson/magic system that wasn't much better....in fact the bass was muddy and my bass is tight and punchy!....Fwiw I will not be returning my new Gear as I can't replace it for what I paid...
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Post by vcautokid on Mar 6, 2017 7:20:19 GMT -5
Bang for the buck, the PT-100 is going to be tough to beat. Not to mention that is brand new with full warranty in force. Also with a very capable DAC, and even the ability with the BTM-1 accessory to run Bluetooth audio too, it makes the PT-100 a very compelling addition to any system that needs great sound, and versatility, and value.
If you want even more DAC? The DC-1 will please no end. Ask Garbulky. Also if you need the phone stage, the XPS-1 is a great addition, or the SP-1 too. Options are a wonderful thing.
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Post by Boomzilla on Mar 6, 2017 7:29:41 GMT -5
The PT-100 isn't embarrassed by pairing with FAR more expensive gear. It's that good. To date, I've found more expensive preamps that sound differently, but none that sound better. I'm keeping my PT-100!
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Post by kybourbon on Mar 6, 2017 7:34:14 GMT -5
I can also vouch fro the PT-100. I'm new to the audiophile scene and paired my new PT-100 with a used Emotiva XPA-2 driving Ascend Acoustics Sierra-2 and couldn't be happier. I briefly got the "upgrade bug" already but after extensive research I can't find anything I would be even remotely interested in that isn't at least 5x the price.
And the sound is phenomenal. I am using the USB for HTPC FLAC/SACD files, Coax for Sonos streaming, and the optical for my DirectTv feed. All sound superb.
I'm not sure what else you could buy that would be even close without spending considerably more.
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Post by clearear on Mar 6, 2017 20:59:33 GMT -5
Does the PT-100 better the USP-1 in sound quality? (I'm using a USP-1 with the DC-1 Dac).
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Post by Boomzilla on Mar 10, 2017 14:27:48 GMT -5
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