Bigman80
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Post by Bigman80 on Feb 16, 2022 11:41:28 GMT
Out of interest, how much "better" is a BT2 compared to a DCB1, using the same SA? It will be better, but i am not sure how to quantify it as i havent had a DCB1 here for many years. I am using mine with a TKD pot at the moment. More to the point, how are going to use a BT2 with your SA
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Feb 16, 2022 12:45:49 GMT
I didn't say it was my SA...
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Bigman80
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Post by Bigman80 on Feb 16, 2022 12:52:46 GMT
I didn't say it was my SA... Ooooh, mysterious!
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Feb 16, 2022 13:06:46 GMT
I think you misunderstand the question.
If I used the same type of Stepped Attenuator in a boosted DCB1 and a BT2, is there much audible difference?
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Bigman80
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Post by Bigman80 on Feb 16, 2022 15:06:26 GMT
I think you misunderstand the question. If I used the same type of Stepped Attenuator in a boosted DCB1 and a BT2, is there much audible difference? If you asking if the 2 boards would be of differing performance levels, even if the same stepped attenuator was used, then I didn't misunderstand. If you're not, then I did.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Feb 20, 2022 18:06:29 GMT
Well, Today I…. has identified the “weak spot” in my system for digital. Unfortunately, it is the pre amp.
Bugger.
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Post by antonio on Feb 21, 2022 0:16:16 GMT
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Feb 21, 2022 0:26:30 GMT
Thanks Dave, but I don’t want to be spending any money. Not for a while anyway. I will pop the pre back in, and see just how much different it really is.
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Post by antonio on Feb 21, 2022 7:29:26 GMT
I don't want you to spend money, good idea to give your pre another chance. I only suggested the Topping because it gets good reviews for it's neutrality and detail retrieval.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Feb 21, 2022 8:59:56 GMT
One review I read said it gave the HF a boost. That would be dangerous with Triangle speakers.
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Post by macca on Feb 21, 2022 9:47:48 GMT
One review I read said it gave the HF a boost. That would be dangerous with Triangle speakers. Got a link? I could do with a laugh ASR:
Stereophile:
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Bigman80
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Post by Bigman80 on Feb 21, 2022 10:57:00 GMT
One review I read said it gave the HF a boost. That would be dangerous with Triangle speakers. Looks like the Topping Pre90 has a very decent bandwidth and quite superb linearity. ASR describe it as second only to the Benchmark HA4 and certainly foot enough to be instrument grade. I suspect it's probably a little flat in the soundstage, but I doubt its got HF emphasis. It could sound quite forensic. That may explain his impression. Depends what he was using before.
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Post by macca on Feb 21, 2022 11:37:37 GMT
If he was using a preamp that did have audible roll-off, and he's balanced the rest of his setup around that, and he knows nothing about how audio replay works, then you can see how he might come to that conclusion.
FWIW when we did that Penkridge bake-off we used the FB KIN and whilst sound from vinyl was outstanding, sound from digital (Technics SLP1200) was a little bit grainy.
Given that we were effectively using my system with the exception of the pre-amp, and that I do not get that graininess at home, I suspect that the pre-amp is the issue.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Feb 21, 2022 12:34:11 GMT
If I was going pre-amp, I would be more inclined to build a DCB1.
There is aslo a Gustard that looks good as well - The P26.
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Post by macca on Feb 21, 2022 12:58:01 GMT
You should go for the BT pre-amp IMO. For no other reason than it is a known quantity with the Neurochrome power amp, I can guarantee you 100% satisfaction I have lots of power amps and the DCB1 does not play nicely with all of them. It may be superb with the Neurochrome but I never tried that combo.
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Post by antonio on Feb 21, 2022 13:35:49 GMT
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Feb 21, 2022 14:15:33 GMT
After Brexit, I now avoid buying from rhe YK where I can, unless it is a business sale, otherwise I have to pay VAT on top.
Makes it very expensive.
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Bigman80
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Post by Bigman80 on Feb 21, 2022 14:16:50 GMT
Just my 2p:
The only concern i would have with these Gustard or Topping preamps would be whether there was any artifice when listening to them.
Yes, they measure exceptionally well, but i have heard a fair few preamps that use PGA2310/2311 (and other chips) and they never quite manage to deliver sound in a natural way. The soundstage has historically been flat and the fact a few of them used a relay for selection of input has made it all a little mechanical sounding. It really is hard to describe, but i think you may get what i am saying.
The DCB1 was a gamechanger for me. The 1.2A version i built really would have wiped the floor with most of the tat being peddled around as "premium goods" but that was at a time when Topping, Gustard and whatever else didn't exist. Even a 1.2A DCB1 isn't going to out do the BT2, the PRE90 or the Gustard P26 on measurements. Thing is, you are going from valve to SS and sometimes people are not keen on hearing music without the valve effect. An Amazon purchace can give you a small, temporary insight.
For £500, i'd be having a punt on the Topping from Amazon. See if it makes anything like the sort of improvement you would be interested in pursuing. Then send it back and build a buffer type pre using a Neurocrome buffer board, or do as Macca says.
An Amazon purchase can give you a small, temporary insight.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Feb 21, 2022 14:17:53 GMT
You should go for the BT pre-amp IMO. For no other reason than it is a known quantity with the Neurochrome power amp, I can guarantee you 100% satisfaction I have lots of power amps and the DCB1 does not play nicely with all of them. It may be superb with the Neurochrome but I never tried that combo. The problem with the BT is the price... Unless Oli is VAT registered, I have to pay 20% more (+ fees).
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Bigman80
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AA Founding Member & Bigbottle Audio Creator
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Post by Bigman80 on Feb 21, 2022 14:21:46 GMT
You should go for the BT pre-amp IMO. For no other reason than it is a known quantity with the Neurochrome power amp, I can guarantee you 100% satisfaction I have lots of power amps and the DCB1 does not play nicely with all of them. It may be superb with the Neurochrome but I never tried that combo. The problem with the BT is the price... Unless Oli is VAT registered, I have to pay 20% more (+ fees). Yeah they aren't cheap and no, i don't generate enough money to be VAT registered. I could have done with being registered so i could buy a reel of cable...it's a pain.
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Post by electronumpty on Feb 21, 2022 14:27:55 GMT
You can VAT register voluntarily if your turnover is under the limit. The flipside is paperback and ypur prices go up by 20% if you want to keep a similer profit margin.
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Bigman80
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Post by Bigman80 on Feb 21, 2022 14:31:14 GMT
You can VAT register voluntarily if your turnover is under the limit. The flipside is paperback and ypur prices go up by 20% if you want to keep a similer profit margin. Yeah.....i will pass lol
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Feb 21, 2022 14:32:55 GMT
You can VAT register voluntarily if your turnover is under the limit. The flipside is paperback and ypur prices go up by 20% if you want to keep a similer profit margin. Yeah.....i will pass lol I can't understand why...
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Bigman80
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Post by Bigman80 on Feb 21, 2022 14:44:56 GMT
Just as a bit of an observation, the Gustard has a proper power supply Vs the Toppings SMPs....that would solve that decision for me
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Feb 21, 2022 14:58:24 GMT
The Gustard also has an additional input.
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Bigman80
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Post by Bigman80 on Feb 21, 2022 16:05:52 GMT
The Gustard also has an additional input. Sounds like a winner
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Feb 21, 2022 17:12:55 GMT
Apparently the RCA input is not “great”.
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Bigman80
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Post by Bigman80 on Feb 21, 2022 17:28:43 GMT
Apparently the RCA input is not “great”. Ah.....bugger
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Feb 21, 2022 17:33:59 GMT
What do you all think? link
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Bigman80
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Post by Bigman80 on Feb 21, 2022 17:43:52 GMT
What do you all think? linkTry the Topping based on the measurements?
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