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Post by creimes on Feb 1, 2022 10:54:38 GMT -5
. It doesn't but one could still set it up this way, for each input you can set the startup volume, at minimum it has the one XLR and the one RCA input so you could use one of them set to full volume and use it as a pass through, there is also the ext90 which allows you to add 3 more XLR and one more RCA input, so as there isn't a dedicated HT pass through one can still get it to work with how I mentioned. I actually found one for sale used up here in Canada and it is on its way to my house now, Im slowly trying to put together a little 2ch setup so I'm gonna try it out. Chad Be sure to report back. I am trying to determine if the Pre90 would be an upgrade over the XMC-2 as a stereo preamp. To bad about the home theater bypass. That would have been great. Will do, I know reading up on it each input has memory for volume but not sure if it can be set or it just remembers where it was at shutdown, I will let you know. Chad |
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Post by audiosyndrome on Feb 1, 2022 19:34:22 GMT -5
Any idea if the Pre90 has a Home Theater Bypass? . It doesn't but one could still set it up this way, for each input you can set the startup volume, at minimum it has the one XLR and the one RCA input so you could use one of them set to full volume and use it as a pass through, there is also the ext90 which allows you to add 3 more XLR and one more RCA input, so as there isn't a dedicated HT pass through one can still get it to work with how I mentioned. I actually found one for sale used up here in Canada and it is on its way to my house now, Im slowly trying to put together a little 2ch setup so I'm gonna try it out. Chad Chad - for you and me, no problemo. But for the wife, kids and grandkids, no freakin way. 😜 Russ |
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Post by pedrocols on Feb 1, 2022 21:36:55 GMT -5
. It doesn't but one could still set it up this way, for each input you can set the startup volume, at minimum it has the one XLR and the one RCA input so you could use one of them set to full volume and use it as a pass through, there is also the ext90 which allows you to add 3 more XLR and one more RCA input, so as there isn't a dedicated HT pass through one can still get it to work with how I mentioned. I actually found one for sale used up here in Canada and it is on its way to my house now, Im slowly trying to put together a little 2ch setup so I'm gonna try it out. Chad Be sure to report back. I am trying to determine if the Pre90 would be an upgrade over the XMC-2 as a stereo preamp. To bad about the home theater bypass. That would have been great. Home Theater is overrated. Two Channel Rules!!!™ |
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Post by fbczar on Feb 1, 2022 23:45:40 GMT -5
Be sure to report back. I am trying to determine if the Pre90 would be an upgrade over the XMC-2 as a stereo preamp. To bad about the home theater bypass. That would have been great. Home Theater is overrated. Two Channel Rules!!!™ Not if you want to watch a movie. |
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Post by brutiarti on Feb 5, 2022 9:52:39 GMT -5
Naah, 3 bad units in a row for a working station. I wouldn’t be surprised if they have a secret sauce for those amazing measurements. Kind of VW with the “emissionsgate”. |
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Post by creimes on Feb 5, 2022 10:48:52 GMT -5
So far I am liking it, with having very neutral and dynamic speakers the clarity in the top end will take some getting used to if I'm explaining that properly, it can be very much in your face at times which could be the recording itself, so it will highlight poor source material compared to great source material. I put on my DSOTM SACD/CD and wow it was really nice and the clarity was something I haven't heard to this point. I have it setup right now ERC-4 -> pre90 -> Class D Audio mini Gan -> Chane 753 speakersI'm now going Mac Mini(Audirvana) -> SDAC Balanced -> pre90 -> Class D Audio Mini Gan -> Chane 753 and the synergy seems better, not sure why but I have been listening to Atoms for peace and it sounds most amazing  |
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Post by vcautokid on Feb 5, 2022 11:19:05 GMT -5
Naah, 3 bad units in a row for a working station. I wouldn’t be surprised if they have a secret sauce for those amazing measurements. Kind of VW with the “emissionsgate”. I have heard of "ringers" sent, but frankly today I don't think such a thing is going on. Sample to sample variability is there sure, but if things are done properly and quality is doing their job those differences should be small if any. |
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Post by leonski on Feb 8, 2022 23:33:18 GMT -5
Pass Labs XP-32 $17,500 Topping Pre90 $599 But I am sure the Pass Labs is a real bargain and it punches well above its price...lol I think that SOME of the difference, but by no means ALL will be made up AFTER the sale in the event of problems. Friend had some JC-1 monos......One failed. Sent it back and it was fixed Gratis. I'd expect the MUCH more expensive Pass pre to be both more reliable and more fixable....long term.... 17 grand worth? Probably NOT.......For the difference you could buy 5 or 6 of the Topping and if they lasted only 5 years or so each? Just pitch it and open another box...... |
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Post by creimes on Feb 8, 2022 23:46:08 GMT -5
Home Theater is overrated. Two Channel Rules!!!™ Not if you want to watch a movie. From using it over the weekend, no matter if on the RCA input or XLR input it remembers the volume at shutoff but for both not individually, one could use one input as a version of a HT bypass but you would have to adjust the volume each time. Cheers, Chad |
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Post by leonski on Feb 9, 2022 16:06:18 GMT -5
I 'Experimented' with 4 channel back when it was New......Dynaquad was the system I played with, making a DIY setup......
It was wonderful on LIVE material, but the opposite on studio, where ambience cues are simply missing.
I even attended a DEMO of a 4 channel DIsc system using a cartridge with respoinse to over 40khz, and appropriate decoding.
4 channels and I heard a different language from each speaker.......Talke about Discrete!
My current 2.1 system is QUITE adequate for movies. I could NOT afford speakers at my current level for an HT system, not to mention
the amplifieers needed and all the rest....To equal my stereo with 5.1 or UP from there would cost an absolute fortune.
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Post by pedrocols on Feb 9, 2022 17:39:40 GMT -5
I 'Experimented' with 4 channel back when it was New......Dynaquad was the system I played with, making a DIY setup...... It was wonderful on LIVE material, but the opposite on studio, where ambience cues are simply missing. I even attended a DEMO of a 4 channel DIsc system using a cartridge with respoinse to over 40khz, and appropriate decoding. 4 channels and I heard a different language from each speaker.......Talke about Discrete! My current 2.1 system is QUITE adequate for movies. I could NOT afford speakers at my current level for an HT system, not to mention the amplifieers needed and all the rest....To equal my stereo with 5.1 or UP from there would cost an absolute fortune. I have experimented with passive preamps and they can be ideal in certain situations. In fact, I sold my BAT tube preamp after trying a passive preamp. |
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Post by creimes on Feb 9, 2022 19:55:13 GMT -5
I 'Experimented' with 4 channel back when it was New......Dynaquad was the system I played with, making a DIY setup...... It was wonderful on LIVE material, but the opposite on studio, where ambience cues are simply missing. I even attended a DEMO of a 4 channel DIsc system using a cartridge with respoinse to over 40khz, and appropriate decoding. 4 channels and I heard a different language from each speaker.......Talke about Discrete! My current 2.1 system is QUITE adequate for movies. I could NOT afford speakers at my current level for an HT system, not to mention the amplifieers needed and all the rest....To equal my stereo with 5.1 or UP from there would cost an absolute fortune. I have experimented with passive preamps and they can be ideal in certain situations. In fact, I sold my BAT tube preamp after trying a passive preamp. I tried my Level Pilot between my ERC-4 and Mini GaN 5 amplifier and wasn't really fond of the results, though I don't think the XLR out of the ERC-4 to the Mini GaN amp is a good fit, the Topping pre90 on the other hand is quite stellar. |
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Post by pedrocols on Feb 10, 2022 0:35:50 GMT -5
I have experimented with passive preamps and they can be ideal in certain situations. In fact, I sold my BAT tube preamp after trying a passive preamp. I tried my Level Pilot between my ERC-4 and Mini GaN 5 amplifier and wasn't really fond of the results, though I don't think the XLR out of the ERC-4 to the Mini GaN amp is a good fit, the Topping pre90 on the other hand is quite stellar. Every active preamp will add coloration to the sound. Every single one! |
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Post by creimes on Feb 10, 2022 19:58:44 GMT -5
I tried my Level Pilot between my ERC-4 and Mini GaN 5 amplifier and wasn't really fond of the results, though I don't think the XLR out of the ERC-4 to the Mini GaN amp is a good fit, the Topping pre90 on the other hand is quite stellar. Every active preamp will add coloration to the sound. Every single one! I agree but I found the ERC-4 to Level Pilot to the amp wasn't as pleasing as having the pre90 in place of the Level Pilot it sounded much better ? |
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Post by vcautokid on Feb 14, 2022 23:00:48 GMT -5
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Post by pedrocols on Feb 16, 2022 20:26:32 GMT -5
I've had good experience with Yulong. |
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Post by Boomzilla on Feb 16, 2022 21:26:01 GMT -5
This thread cuts to the question “Do good specifications ensure good sound?” I contend that the answer is “no,” and I offer two examples (from opposite ends of the spectrum) in support of my answer: Spec enthusiasts claim without apology that better specs (specifically including lower distortion, lower noise, and higher signal-to-noise ratio) ABSOLUTELY guarantee a more enjoyable listening experience (it measures better, so it IS better - argument over). Yet…. Remember the Technics by Panasonic products of the late 1970’s? They had a measured THD/noise spec a full order of magnitude lower than their competitors. Yet they sounded profoundly wretched. Better specs absolutely did NOT equal better sound. Example two - Vacuum tube audio equipment consistently measures WORSE than even cheap solid state equipment. Yet audiophiles consistently choose to pay astronomical sums for tube gear. They obviously think their tube gear sounds better. Vinyl records measure worse in EVERY way than even MP3 digital files. Yet audiophiles still LOVE vinyl. So in these cases, worse spec equipment is considered to have better sound, and the enthusiasts of tubes and vinyl aren’t going away… So my conclusion is that good specs alone don’t automatically guarantee good sound. Ultimately, you HAVE to listen and decide for yourself. Boomzilla |
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Post by leonski on Feb 17, 2022 1:04:37 GMT -5
many pieces from 'history' measured well but failed the 'other' test and are now gone or in a museum
Other gear, which didn't measure so good is STILL being used by many on a daily basis and might even have a 'following'....
I think reasons exist for vinyl to sound better than MP3. Even early CD players had some audible problems......like the first gen SONY which
multplexed teh DAC between channels......Just didnt' sound right.....
Specs are ADVISory at best. And any in isoloation is meaningless. Knowledge of interaction helps lots.....
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