lindsayt said:Benchmark DAC would be a fine choice. Just use the built in volume control. No point in using a pre-amp in addition to that.
You can buy the DAC 1 for 400 euros 2nd hand now.
SemiChronic said:Would an 851E be worth a look? Ultimate connectivity and awesome sound and can be had for a good price apparently. A realy nice pre amp if you can see past the cambridge label.
Andrew Everard likes it
https://andreweverard.com/2014/05/30/review-cambridge-audio-azur-851e851w/
plastic penguin said:With respect Andrew, a few months ago you were crowing over the AVIs. Wouldn't that be a cheaper option than fannying around with old s####y passive set-ups?
Andrewjvt said:plastic penguin said:With respect Andrew, a few months ago you were crowing over the AVIs. Wouldn't that be a cheaper option than fannying around with old s####y passive set-ups?
Yes, pre amps are requirements for passive power amps, but also many makes of active speakers need them also.
plastic penguin said:Andrewjvt said:plastic penguin said:With respect Andrew, a few months ago you were crowing over the AVIs. Wouldn't that be a cheaper option than fannying around with old s####y passive set-ups?
Yes, pre amps are requirements for passive power amps, but also many makes of active speakers need them also.
So what amp are you planning to use with the preamp? It's always wise to match the pre with the same make power amp.
plastic penguin said:Andrewjvt said:plastic penguin said:With respect Andrew, a few months ago you were crowing over the AVIs. Wouldn't that be a cheaper option than fannying around with old s####y passive set-ups?
Yes, pre amps are requirements for passive power amps, but also many makes of active speakers need them also.
So what amp are you planning to use with the preamp? It's always wise to match the pre with the same make power amp.
Andrewjvt said:plastic penguin said:Andrewjvt said:plastic penguin said:With respect Andrew, a few months ago you were crowing over the AVIs. Wouldn't that be a cheaper option than fannying around with old s####y passive set-ups?
Yes, pre amps are requirements for passive power amps, but also many makes of active speakers need them also.
So what amp are you planning to use with the preamp? It's always wise to match the pre with the same make power amp.
Yes pp, i agree that it makes a lot of sense to match the same make preamp and power amp when using a passive set up.
But the sound quality is not just down to system matching and same sound signature of certain makes. Its more down to the impedance (the current input/output of the components) Luckily, many active speakers have an input sensitivity switch and gain trim and the benchmark preamp has adjustable output so it can perfectly match the power amp or active speaker.
plastic penguin said:Andrewjvt said:plastic penguin said:Andrewjvt said:plastic penguin said:With respect Andrew, a few months ago you were crowing over the AVIs. Wouldn't that be a cheaper option than fannying around with old s####y passive set-ups?
Yes, pre amps are requirements for passive power amps, but also many makes of active speakers need them also.
So what amp are you planning to use with the preamp? It's always wise to match the pre with the same make power amp.
Yes pp, i agree that it makes a lot of sense to match the same make preamp and power amp when using a passive set up.
But the sound quality is not just down to system matching and same sound signature of certain makes. Its more down to the impedance (the current input/output of the components) Luckily, many active speakers have an input sensitivity switch and gain trim and the benchmark preamp has adjustable output so it can perfectly match the power amp or active speaker.
Sorry, I'm not being argumentative, but you had two Hegel amps that you were more than happy with. Then you said you hankered after building your own active speakers, based around ATC [big] drivers... you purchased ATCs then decided the new AVIs mullered anything passive.
After that your sig showed you had a Yamaha amp of some description, and now you seem to be a coy over what you plan to partner the new preamp with.
If it is just for active speakers then according to you it seems the preamp is irrelevent.
Please up date us on your current set-up so we can give a more precise advice. At the moment, we're all just throwing out suggestions that might be wide of the mark.
SemiChronic said:Im not entirely sure what youre upto either(no offence) but if youre reducing number of boxes and arent bothered about a turntable then surely a dac/streamer/pre amp and a power/integrated is all you need?
2 boxes job done.
Blacksabbath25 said:Hi Andrew
why not buy the Hegel P20 or P30 Pre amp from Hegel then use your Hegel h360 as the power amp
I thought the Hegel had a streamer built in it as well as a very good onboard Dac
That goes out the window if your system is suitable for a stepped attenuator passive pre-amp.plastic penguin said:So what amp are you planning to use with the preamp? It's always wise to match the pre with the same make power amp.
SemiChronic said:I know your last comment wasnt aimed at me, i regularly see others picking holes in members hifi paths.
I also understand about being satisfied with certain compnents, im in a similar place whereby im really happy with my set up and for any substantial upgrade id probably have to spend about 5k or more, as i dont see the point in tiny tweaks.
And for that sort of money id rather have a reality check and upgrade my vehicle.
Best of luck Andrew
Andrewjvt said:SemiChronic said:I know your last comment wasnt aimed at me, i regularly see others picking holes in members hifi paths.
I also understand about being satisfied with certain compnents, im in a similar place whereby im really happy with my set up and for any substantial upgrade id probably have to spend about 5k or more, as i dont see the point in tiny tweaks.
And for that sort of money id rather have a reality check and upgrade my vehicle.
Best of luck Andrew
Btw you seem to me to have a pretty good setup anyway. Cambridge very underrated imo.
davedotco said:Andrewjvt said:SemiChronic said:I know your last comment wasnt aimed at me, i regularly see others picking holes in members hifi paths.
I also understand about being satisfied with certain compnents, im in a similar place whereby im really happy with my set up and for any substantial upgrade id probably have to spend about 5k or more, as i dont see the point in tiny tweaks.
And for that sort of money id rather have a reality check and upgrade my vehicle.
Best of luck Andrew
Btw you seem to me to have a pretty good setup anyway. Cambridge very underrated imo.
it is very easy to get bogged down in the issues of functionality, sometimes having specific requirements such as balanced outputs will limit your choices.
The Benchmark products have been mentioned and I am a big fan of the more affordable Dac 1 but functionality is limited and there is no remote and you still need a streamer...
All in all I feel the obvious answer is the Cambridge CXN, which is affordable and seems to tick most of the boxes, I have not tried the control app, so that is something to look out for.
Many, though by no means all, actives offer balanced and unbalanced inputs, my own Adams run unbalanced and are absolutely silent, if you can do this then there are options such as the WXC50 that is half the cost of the CXN.
davedotco said:The functionality and therefore the app, are very important, the one occasion I tried to get a dem of this unit my local store offered to 'play' me the unit from a CD player/transport but could not or would not set it up using online streaming controlled from the app...
There are plenty of happy stream magic users around so hopefully that is not an issue but I really want to check this out before parting with any cash. That said, I find the pricing for 'hi-fi' streamers to be absurd, stand alone units costing hundreds of pounds offering little more than a Chromecast, the MCR611 gives an idea of what can be done at a budget level but higher performance units are rare and often poor vfm.
The 'hi-fi' trade seems a long way behind in this respect, still clinging on to the idea of high priced separates when the market wants less boxes, more integration and greater simplicity.