|
Audio Asylum Thread Printer Get a view of an entire thread on one page |
For Sale Ads |
A couple of weeks ago I enquired whether one could maintain the input selector function of the preamp section of a Bryston B-60 by going from its tape out to an attenuator and then back into the amp section. For fun I tried it by wiring a TDK 50KOhm attenuator into a box with input and output RCA's and placing it between the tape out and amp in. Effectively I now have a cobbled-together passive preamp and it works very well; much more presence and detail and less noise than with the Bryston's own preamp section. Eventually I suppose I'll get or make a proper passive preamp and couple it with a 2B-LP or 3B-SST as was previously suggested but I hope it sounds as terrific as this.
Follow Ups:
I was in a similar situation a ways back when I had a B60 and decided I wanted a more powerful amp. I used the B60 as a pre-amp for a while, then decided I liked a Creek passive better. But I discovered some shortcomings with the Creek and eventually got an FT Audio LW-1, which is a very good passive pre-amp. I'm surprised that you find the Bryston's noise floor to be high, however. If nothing else, I found everything about the Bryston to be dead quiet.
I've never previously found the Bryston to be noisy either,but I use noisy sources, radio and vinyl, so it may be that I'm listening at lower levels now due to the increased clarity of the passive route, hence less perceived background noise.
Sounds like something worth trying. Is there a strong reason to think a dedicated passive would sound significantly better? I betting the Bryston circuits equal those in the most, if not all the dedicated passives.
Brian's trial is a typical passive signal path. However, there are a few points worth considering.1. Is the Bryston's tape out buffered?
2. Does the Bryston's preamp section has active input components before the selector?
3. How long is the signal path from the connectors to the tape-out in the Bryston?
4. How good is the connectors and selector in the Bryston's preamp. I saw a .5b and the connectors are so-so.
5. How does Brian implement the TKD and of course what is the quality of the additional interconnect between the tape-out and the TKD.
compared to the BP20/B60. It probably isn't too relevant
Paul:You raise good issues, and thanks for the correction. The attenuator is made by TKD, not TDK as I posted. I can only answer one of your questions. The interconnects I use are DH Labs. A question of my own: What is a buffered output and what effect does it or its lack have?
Thanks,
Brian
And I'm still considering your passive as a long-term solution.
I believe the tape buffer stage is to buffer the impedance like the line stage. The easiest way to find out whether your connection is passive now is not turning the Bryston on and play a CD source. If the signal goes through to your tape-deck then it is passive. Otherwise, there is an active component in the signal path.
This post is made possible by the generous support of people like you and our sponsors: