Some pics of what I'm using and not using right now.

Wharfedale actually did test this back in the early 80s but with speaker colour rather than LED colour.

The speaker colour did correspond to the listeners impressions of sound quality with red being warm, yellow being bright-sounding etc. The speakers were identical apart from their colour. (The listeners did not know what was being tested).

I'm always faster when I ride in my yellow Jersey!

Okay second listening test, serious this time

Took out the old pre-amp, put my patented washing machine feet in to separate it a useful distance from the transport below, redressed all the cables round the back.



I don't tend to listen for the usual audiophile things like soundstage and imaging since I find it impossible to recall what they were like with other equipment unless instant switching is available. Instead I listen for problems like colouration and distortion, and for what might be missing.

I also like to note whether or not I have to concentrate to perceive subtle elements of the recording. A good system should just present them.

In terms of comparison my recent preamps have been the Philips AH280 'Black Tulip' and Nelson Pass DCB1. Not used the Pass pre in a while so bear in mind my memory may not be so good on that one. The Philips is a bit warm but with sparkle. It's a bit generic in its sound, especially in the bass. It's a relaxing and enjoyable listen but it's not neutral by any stretch.

The Pass DCB1 is almost the opposite, quite scarily open and revealing of the differences between recordings, and of different instrumental tone.

So I kicked off with 'Gaucho', an easy one to get right - and so it was, this recording did not really tell me anything, it's an impeccable recording it was impeccably reproduced. Only thing I noticed was that the keyboards tones seemed to be very real and natural, more so than usual.

Moved on to demo favourite 'Brothers In Arms', again an impeccable recording (this was the 1990s re-master). But I wanted to listen to one thing in particular. In the outro to the tune 'Why Worry?' the rhythm meanders for a while and then picks up again with the drummer working a snare in the back right of the soundstage. With the DCB1 the snare could be heard in its own acoustic, sounding very real, and moreover this was totally obvious, not something you had to listen out for or concentrate on to hear, it was just there. I distinctly recall this from the first time I listened to this recording through the DCB1 because it had my jaw on the floor.

You don't get it with the Philips - sure you hear the snare and it's in the same spot in the soundstage, but it's acoustic is not there, at least not so blatantly. You can listen for it and maybe then it becomes apparent but this is the difference between the best and the also rans. With the best you don't need to listen out.

So with the BT2 the snare was there, the acoustic was apparent, the only difference was that the snare sound seemed slightly softer. Or maybe slightly blurred. It was not quite as sharp as with the DCB1.

Next couple of albums I listened to sort of confirmed that impression I had when first plugging the BT2 in yesterday. Simply Red 'Stars', which is a workmanlike studio recording, all the best equipment used, not too many gizmos or effects just a fairly stripped-down band, well-recorded. With DCB1 this was like listening in the studio, serious impact, quite raw, the recording totally dissected. With the Philips, just a pleasant, musical sound. With the BT2 it was like the DCB1 with its 'full-on' nature just dialled back a fraction.

Last up Rolling Stones 'Emotional Rescue'. More of the same. Sound is somewhere between raw studio control room and relaxing home listening. With vocals added reverb and doubling was obvious, as was their own acoustic space. Instrumental timbre was beautifully resolved, I noticed this with electronic keyboards especially.

These are all attributes I valued the DCB1 for, they have not been lost with the BT2. What is' not there is that super-rawness of the DCB1. I sort of liked and hated that rawness at the same time. It was mesmerising to hear a recording so completely revealed, but it did make listening a little exhausting, especially with rock music.

I was hoping from my memory of hearing the BT2 previously that it would not be quite so explicit, whilst still keeping the qualities I value reasonably intact. So far this does seem to be the case.

You reminded me of something I was going to mention.

With 'Brothers In Arms', through the DCB1, when that synth kicks in right at the start of 'Walk Of Life'? That used to make me wince a bit, even at fairly low levels.

I can't recall any other music where that happened with DCB1 though, but there might have been a couple of other moments on other recordings that have slipped my mind. It was never harsh or hard though, like you say.

At this level it's very hard to say which presentation is more 'right'. DCB1 or BT2. I don't really think it matters that much. Ultimately it still comes down to which one we'd prefer to live with.

I think it is indicative that the DCB1 is not quite neutral, even though that was the only 'wincing' moment I recall, it would still be putting that effect onto everything. It just wasn't triggering that extreme response in me with programme other than that one song. That I can recall, anyway.


My room is pretty large and well damped though as you know and I'd expect that will ameliorate the effect compared to in a smaller, livelier room.

Noticed yesterday I have some audible hum, only audible with ear right up against the midrange driver but it's still unacceptable.

I am going to have to rethink my set up so I can go back to using the Spotifre cable from pre to power. The longer Cambridge and Belden cables give hum with both DCB1 and the BT2, but not with the Philips pre. With Spotfire no hum at all. I'm not sure why that is but I'm not spending any more money on cables.

. The hum with DCB1 used with the Belden and Cambridge cables is audible at distance, with BT2 only audible right against the speaker. This difference also makes no sense to me. Indeed I would not have noticed it at all with the BT2 had I not decided to check it.


troubleshooting it will be time consuming so I probably won't bother and just swap back to what works, but it must be something to do with a ground loop and the way the Cambridge and Belden cables are constructed compared to the Spotfire. Means I won't be able to have my transport and pre-amp at chest height which is annoying. Unless I raise the power amp cabinet up somehow, 

Anyway all a job for next weekend maybe, can't be arsed to do it today and I can't hear the problem from where I listen from even with no music playing.

The BT2 is a great match for any amp.

It's should be doing great things with the Krell. Refinement equals relaxed listening, but it's not lacking in dynamic swing or excitement either.

I shouldn't talk about it, because I make them lol

That's good news. Usually, If something is gonna fall down, it shows it pretty early IME

Glad to hear you're enjoying it! Sounds like the perfect balance: insightful resolution without becoming fatiguing. I've ordered one too and can't wait. Heard the BT2 in my system and loved what it did.

Naturally, of course Pete. It is the one box BT2/Avalon. I'm v excited.

I don't think you'll ever need to buy another pre-amp

Listening to that Guns n Roses album yesterday it was just wow moment after wow moment. I wasn't getting that with the Philips pre-amp. I did get it with the DCB1 but that would also leave me feeling exhausted afterwards, like I'd actually been at a gig, and so I'd rarely feel like listening to two rock albums in succession.

Great news macca . It is the law of any wiring that it will tangle itself around anything next to it. And if it is alone it will tangle itself up!

Guess this shows cable dressing does have an impact. Talking of impact there is a very precarious pile of cds there!

Looks good macca, pleased you have that hum sorted. I'm sure you've mentioned before, but what's those fancy dan speaker cables you're using?