Subject: RE: Preamp needed??
Date: Tue, 25 Aug 1998 13:09:44 -0700
From: Atma-Sphere@ManicReader.com
Organization: SMTEK
To: Atma-Sphere@ManicReader.com
On 1998/08/25 at 13:09:41, GEORGE@SMTP {george@smarts.com} wrote:
I have been running my EAR 834P directly into my M 60 MK II's and with very
good results! Another phono stage to look at is the Black Cube (distributed
bt Lehmen Audio I think). If yuo do go with the EAR, you will want to
replace the power cord when you get it. I put a Marigo (one of their
cheaper models) and it was a night and day difference. You might also want
to replace the tubes as well.
Good luck.
George
-----Original Message-----
From: Atma-Sphere@ManicReader.com [mailto:Atma-Sphere@ManicReader.com]
Sent: Tuesday, August 25, 1998 4:00 PM
To: Atma-Sphere@ManicReader.com
Subject: Re: Preamp needed??
On 1998/08/25 at 13:00:10, JOKKER@SMTP {jokker@motorsims.com} wrote:
I've not auditioned the "ear" but remember seeing it at John Fort Audio here
in Dallas. I'll check it out. Thanks.
Bob
-----Original Message-----
From: Atma-Sphere@ManicReader.com
To: Atma-Sphere@ManicReader.com
Date: Tuesday, August 25, 1998 12:58 PM
Subject: Re: Preamp needed??
>On 1998/08/25 at 10:58:34, MICHELSO@SMTP {michelson82@hotmail.com} wrote:
>
>Hi Bob:
> If you want a good phono stage with gain, try the
>EAR ( Esoteric Audio Research by T. de Paravicini).
> Itīs a very good tube device , very cheap .
> There is a review of it in Stereophile.
Subject: Re: Preamp needed??
Date: Tue, 25 Aug 1998 13:59:47 -0700
From: Atma-Sphere@ManicReader.com
Organization: SMTEK
To: Atma-Sphere@ManicReader.com
On 1998/08/25 at 13:59:46, JOKKER@SMTP {jokker@motorsims.com} wrote:
There still is, after all these years, two camps of thought. Those who love
digital and those who don't. I was in the former camp until recently. I
forgot to include the Linn Karic/Numeric CD player on the current list of
equipment. Some CD is very good. The latest 96/24 is from my limited
listening is a significant leap forward.
The Theta Casablanca is a bit more than a high (very) dollar fan but I
too am concerned with the matching of the various electrical characteristics
of the Theta and the Ma-1. This was at the root of my original question. I
have always been lead to believe that preamps should always be tube with
amps being less critical. The worse case was with a tube amp and a solid
state preamp. This might be an obsolete assumption though. Wives tales are
like that.
Bob
-----Original Message-----
From: Atma-Sphere@ManicReader.com
To: Atma-Sphere@ManicReader.com
Date: Tuesday, August 25, 1998 1:02 PM
Subject: Re: Preamp needed??
>On 1998/08/25 at 11:02:42, B.LAYER@SMTP {b.layer@vikingelectronics.com}
wrote:
>
>Hi Bob,
>
>96/24 is real.
>
>I'll believe that when I hear it! (Pretty cynical about digital sources
here)
>
> I've been grinding on a decision that perhaps someone here can help me
>with. I have been planning to use the Casablanca as a preamp. Digital input
>will be all in the David/Casablanca. I've wondered how a great tube amp
>like the Atma-sphere would interface with a solid state device like the
>Casablanca?
>
>Well, no sweat from the MA-1's perspective (assuming that you have
>sufficent signal level, about 2V RMS for full output for the MA-1 Mk.II),
>but will your Casablanca (Which to me is a ceiling fan, I've not heard of
>the model) control your cables sufficiently?
>
>Remember: Signals do not control cables; only electronics control cables.
>(Oversimplified)
>
>>Or is a preamp necessary?
>
>For control purposes, it can be very helpful. I'd recommend the Atma-Sphere
>MP-1.
>
>
>
>Bill Layer
>Sales Technician
>
>
>----------------------------------
>Viking Electronics, Inc.
>Hudson, WI. U.S.A
>715.386.8861 (ext. 210)
>
>----------------------------------
>
>"Telecommunications Solutions for the 21st Century"
Subject: Re: Preamp needed??
Date: Tue, 25 Aug 1998 14:26:10 -0700
From: Atma-Sphere@ManicReader.com
Organization: SMTEK
To: Atma-Sphere@ManicReader.com
On 1998/08/25 at 14:26:09, B.LAYER@SMTP {b.layer@vikingelectronics.com} wrote:
Hi Bob,
>
>The Theta Casablanca is a bit more than a high (very) dollar fan but I
>too am concerned with the matching of the various electrical characteristics
>of the Theta and the Ma-1. This was at the root of my original question. I
>have always been lead to believe that preamps should always be tube with
>amps being less critical. The worse case was with a tube amp and a solid
>state preamp. This might be an obsolete assumption though. Wives tales are
>like that.
My limited experience runs contrary. I'm of the opinion that the
poweramp-loudspeaker relationship is usually the worst realtionship in the
system, and I've found that (with only one choice) I'd rather have a tube
power amp w/ ss preamp than vice versa. I've heard ASMS systems with SS
preamps that were very good... Make it a mosfet preamp, and you're getting
even closer.
Still, IMO, nothing beats class-A triodes for all-out musicality.
Electrical incompatability is really a non-issue, assuming gain is
suficient from the Theta.
I'm thrilled at the thought of a digital system that I could not tell from
my analog system, but my hopes are not too high. The last time I had high
hopes for digital, I got burned by the whole 'Compact Disk' thing. That was
1992, and I have since sold every CD I owned, excepting several titles too
rare to hope for on vinyl.
Who EVER thought that 44.1 sounded like anything else other than broken
glass on a chalkboard? How did they get it by us? (Did we hae any choice???
OK! SOUND GOOD! YOU BUY NOW FELLA!)
Bill Layer
Sales Technician
----------------------------------
Viking Electronics, Inc.
Hudson, WI. U.S.A
715.386.8861 (ext. 210)
----------------------------------
"Telecommunications Solutions for the 21st Century"
Subject: Re: Preamp needed??
Date: Tue, 25 Aug 1998 14:29:52 -0700
From: Atma-Sphere@ManicReader.com
Organization: SMTEK
To: Atma-Sphere@ManicReader.com
On 1998/08/25 at 14:29:51, JOKKER@SMTP {jokker@motorsims.com} wrote:
Ugh, I misspoke.
>There still is, after all these years, two camps of thought. Those who love
>digital and those who don't. I was in the former camp until recently.
Sorry, I meant "latter" camp!!!
Bob
Subject: Re: Preamp needed??
Date: Tue, 25 Aug 1998 14:32:57 -0700
From: Atma-Sphere@ManicReader.com
Organization: SMTEK
To: Atma-Sphere@ManicReader.com
On 1998/08/25 at 14:32:56, ASEK@SMTP {asek@uswest.net} wrote:
Bob, This wife's tale is one of tubes, tubes and more tubes. That
transistor stuff is clearly inferior, IMH wifely opinion! This in no
way reflects on my husband's own opinion Carolyn S.
Subject: Re: Preamp needed??
Date: Tue, 25 Aug 1998 15:15:10 -0700
From: Atma-Sphere@ManicReader.com
Organization: SMTEK
To: Atma-Sphere@ManicReader.com
On 1998/08/25 at 15:15:08, RALPH@SMTP {ralph@atma-sphere.com} wrote:
>On 1998/08/25 at 14:32:56, ASEK@SMTP {asek@uswest.net} wrote:
>
>Bob, This wife's tale is one of tubes, tubes and more tubes. That
>transistor stuff is clearly inferior, IMH wifely opinion! This in no
>way reflects on my husband's own opinion Carolyn S.
>
>
-And there is no way to incorporate tubes into the essense of digital audio!
-Ralph
- You'll be hearing more from us! -
Subject: Re: Preamp needed??
Date: Tue, 25 Aug 1998 18:24:03 -0700
From: Atma-Sphere@ManicReader.com
Organization: SMTEK
To: Atma-Sphere@ManicReader.com
On 1998/08/25 at 18:24:02, BBB@SMTP {bbb@castle.net} wrote:
Hi Bob,
I strongly suggest you use a pre-amp with low output impedence(<300Ohm)
to drive MA-2s. I have tried different pre-amp, including passive ones,
and finally made one myself. The improvement at bottom end is one level
up (much tighter and deeper ) on my MA-1s. Without a pre-amp ( I tried
hooking up ARC PH-2 direct through XLRs) the bottom is missing and
middle is very lean, headroom is not there ( Atma-Sphere is not high in
this area anyway).
JMHP
Ben Yang
Atma-Sphere@ManicReader.com wrote:
> On 1998/08/25 at 09:42:51, JOKKER@SMTP {jokker@motorsims.com} wrote:
>
> Just wanted to say hello.
>
> As Mark indicated, I'm in the process of updating my whole audio system. While I'm not abandoning analog source just yet, I see it coming. I just added a Pioneer Elite DVD player to my theater system and I was greatly pleased with the promise of the new digital formats. 96/24 is real. I've been grinding on a decision that perhaps someone here can help me with. I have been planning to use the Casablanca as a preamp. Digital input will be all in the David/Casablanca. I've wondered how a great tube amp like the Atma-sphere would interface with a solid state device like the Casablanca? I'm obviously going to try , but would appreciate any advise from the group. As for analog, are there any phono stages with enough gain for the occasionally vinyl session?
>
> Or is a preamp necessary?
>
> Thanks for inviting me aboard.
>
> Bob McCarthy
>
>
>
> ----------------[ Uuencoded File Attachment: NONAME01.HTML ]----------------
>
> Just wanted to say hello. As Mark indicated, I'm in the process of
> updating my whole audio system. While I'm not abandoning analog source
> just yet, I see it coming. I just added a Pioneer Elite DVD player to
> my theater system and I was greatly pleased with the promise of the
> new digital formats. 96/24 is real. I've been grinding on a decision
> that perhaps someone here can help me with. I have been planning to
> use the Casablanca as a preamp. Digital input will be all in the
> David/Casablanca. I've wondered how a great tube amp like the
> Atma-sphere would interface with a solid state device like the
> Casablanca? I'm obviously going to try , but would appreciate any
> advise from the group. As for analog, are there any phono stages with
> enough gain for the occasionally vinyl session? Or is a preamp
> necessary? Thanks for inviting me aboard. Bob McCarthy
----------------[ Uuencoded File Attachment: NONAME01.HTML ]----------------
Hi Bob,
I strongly suggest you use a pre-amp with low output impedence(<300Ohm) to
drive MA-2s. I have tried different pre-amp, including passive ones, and
finally made one myself. The improvement at bottom end is one level up (much
tighter and deeper ) on my MA-1s. Without a pre-amp ( I tried hooking up
ARC PH-2 direct through XLRs) the bottom is missing and middle is very lean,
headroom is not there ( Atma-Sphere is not high in this area anyway).
JMHP
Ben Yang
Atma-Sphere@ManicReader.com wrote:
> On 1998/08/25 at 09:42:51, JOKKER@SMTP {jokker@motorsims.com} wrote:
>
> Just wanted to say hello.
>
> As Mark indicated, I'm in the process of updating my whole audio system. While I'm not abandoning analog source just yet, I see it coming. I just added a Pioneer Elite DVD player to my theater system and I was greatly pleased with the promise of the new digital formats. 96/24 is real. I've been grinding on a decision that perhaps someone here can help me with. I have been planning to use the Casablanca as a preamp. Digital input will be all in the David/Casablanca. I've wondered how a great tube amp like the Atma-sphere would interface with a solid state device like the Casablanca? I'm obviously going to try , but would appreciate any advise from the group. As for analog, are there any phono stages with enough gain for the occasionally vinyl session?
>
> Or is a preamp necessary?
>
> Thanks for inviting me aboard.
>
> Bob McCarthy
>
>
>
> ----------------[ Uuencoded File Attachment: NONAME01.HTML ]----------------
>
> Just wanted to say hello. As Mark indicated, I'm in the process of
> updating my whole audio system. While I'm not abandoning analog source
> just yet, I see it coming. I just added a Pioneer Elite DVD player to my
> theater system and I was greatly pleased with the promise of the new
> digital formats. 96/24 is real. I've been grinding on a decision that
> perhaps someone here can help me with. I have been planning to use the
> Casablanca as a preamp. Digital input will be all in the David/Casablanca.
> I've wondered how a great tube amp like the Atma-sphere would interface
> with a solid state device like the Casablanca? I'm obviously going to try
> , but would appreciate any advise from the group. As for analog, are there
> any phono stages with enough gain for the occasionally vinyl session? Or
> is a preamp necessary? Thanks for inviting me aboard. Bob McCarthy
Subject: Re: Preamp needed??
Date: Tue, 25 Aug 1998 19:10:33 -0700
From: Atma-Sphere@ManicReader.com
Organization: SMTEK
To: Atma-Sphere@ManicReader.com
On 1998/08/25 at 19:10:33, BBB@SMTP {bbb@castle.net} wrote:
Atma-Sphere@ManicReader.com wrote:
> On 1998/08/25 at 15:15:08, RALPH@SMTP {ralph@atma-sphere.com} wrote:
>
> >On 1998/08/25 at 14:32:56, ASEK@SMTP {asek@uswest.net} wrote:
> >
> >Bob, This wife's tale is one of tubes, tubes and more tubes. That
> >transistor stuff is clearly inferior, IMH wifely opinion! This in no
> >way reflects on my husband's own opinion Carolyn S.
> >
> >
> -And there is no way to incorporate tubes into the essense of digital audio!
> -Ralph
>
> - You'll be hearing more from us! -
I still believe Shannon's theory. I dislike CD's not because they are digital,
but they show us how improper mass production can turn good theory into
disposable discs. And how capitalism prevent IC makers from making commercial
grade AD/DA chips with enough buffer stage and encoding adaptive algorithmBetter
with high sampling frequency? yes, yes , yes. Once a time, I hear 1MHz noise
from UFO, my ears suffered loss of million cells.... just kidding.
FYI, I through away 60% of the LPs I bought too.
Subject: Re: Preamp needed??
Date: Tue, 25 Aug 1998 22:08:57 -0700
From: Atma-Sphere@ManicReader.com
Organization: SMTEK
To: Atma-Sphere@ManicReader.com
On 1998/08/25 at 22:08:56, BLAYER@SMTP {blayer@uswest.net} wrote:
Hello,
>I still believe Shannon's theory. I dislike CD's not because they are
digital,
>but they show us how improper mass production can turn good theory into
>disposable discs. And how capitalism prevent IC makers from making
commercial
>grade AD/DA chips with enough buffer stage and encoding adaptive
algorithmBetter
>with high sampling frequency? yes, yes , yes. Once a time, I hear 1MHz noise
>from UFO, my ears suffered loss of million cells.... just kidding.
>
>FYI, I through away 60% of the LPs I bought too.
Not just because they were digitally recorded?!!
Funny how they stink too, eh?
Bill Layer
St.Paul, Minnesota USA
"Quantity has a quality all of it's own"
Subject: Re:CD's as input sources.
Date: Wed, 26 Aug 1998 9:30:38 -0700
From: Atma-Sphere@ManicReader.com
Organization: SMTEK
To: Atma-Sphere@ManicReader.com
On 1998/08/26 at 09:30:36, JOKKER@SMTP {jokker@motorsims.com} wrote:
The whole digital issue is sooo full of landmines. I had the recent
experience of listening to some fantastic (I think anyway) Vandy 5's. I
auditioned a number of Amp's (including Quicksilvers and Atma-sphere's). We
drove it with a number of sources including vinyl(Basis Table) and CD
(Resolution player). The latest equipment is incredible but I quickly found
myself hating the recording engineer.
Most stuff is crap.
I heard stuff like every other note in a guitar riff alternating from left
to right speaker. I almost fell on the floor laughing. Others had the mike
into major distortion mode with the band sounding like they were 50 yards
behind the lead singer.
I have a theory that CD allowed the engineer to play too many "games" with
the recording session. The old days were minimally miked and the tracks were
carefully laid down. I believe this has a lot to do with the wonderfulness
of the old vinyl recordings. Initial CD was pretty dreadful. BUT, with some
of the latest players with "well" recorded pieces, its damn good. They made
some design goofs like resolution and frequency. The newer proposed formats
go a long way towards resolving these issues. I would love to retire my
analog front end. If those old master tapes are in good shape, a re-release
in a updated digital format that eliminates the issues of resolution and
frequency would have me playing music that I don't listen often too. I'm
trying to protect the old vinyl which has a limited life. To me this is the
real issue and advantage with digital.
My entertainment room has a pretty good DVD player in it. It the Pioneer
Elite DV-09 which has true 96/24 dac's. Most DVD players truncate the word
to 48/16. Chesky has a sampler of music which was originally recorded in
96/24. Chesky records their session's like the old days with very capable
equipment and the engineer is tied up in the back closet. It was truly the
equal of vinyl without the noise floor.
Is it as good as the best vinyl, I don't know?? I haven't sold my analog
setup yet. I may never, as I have plenty of records going back from 35 or so
years of collecting. But they may only be pulled out for special occasions.
Am I off topic or do we only talk about amps here?
The Vandersteen 5 - Atma-sphere combo sounded pretty magical but I was using
a Joule Electra preamp. The Theta Casablanca is described as a "class A"
preamp in analog and combined with a digital processor makes for amazing
piece of equipment. I sure hope it lives up to the hype. Its going to be
there no matter what, as its part of an "audiophile" compared to a
"videophile" home theater. I recently build a new home and part of the deal
was a room just for me. I'm acting like a kid in the candy store (that's a
dated statement) ahhh like a kid at Toys-R-Us. I'm trying to avoid adding
a separate preamp if it's unnecessary.
Thanks all,
Bob McCarthy
-----Original Message-----
From: Atma-Sphere@ManicReader.com
To: Atma-Sphere@ManicReader.com
Date: Tuesday, August 25, 1998 9:10 PM
Subject: Re: Preamp needed??
>On 1998/08/25 at 19:10:33, BBB@SMTP {bbb@castle.net} wrote:
>
>Atma-Sphere@ManicReader.com wrote:
>
>> On 1998/08/25 at 15:15:08, RALPH@SMTP {ralph@atma-sphere.com} wrote:
>>
>> >On 1998/08/25 at 14:32:56, ASEK@SMTP {asek@uswest.net} wrote:
>> >
>> >Bob, This wife's tale is one of tubes, tubes and more tubes. That
>> >transistor stuff is clearly inferior, IMH wifely opinion! This in no
>> >way reflects on my husband's own opinion Carolyn S.
>> >
>> >
>> -And there is no way to incorporate tubes into the essense of digital
audio!
>> -Ralph
>>
>> - You'll be hearing more from us! -
>
>I still believe Shannon's theory. I dislike CD's not because they are
digital,
>but they show us how improper mass production can turn good theory into
>disposable discs. And how capitalism prevent IC makers from making
commercial
>grade AD/DA chips with enough buffer stage and encoding adaptive
algorithmBetter
>with high sampling frequency? yes, yes , yes. Once a time, I hear 1MHz
noise
>from UFO, my ears suffered loss of million cells.... just kidding.
>
>FYI, I through away 60% of the LPs I bought too.
>
Subject: TDS passive harmonic enhancer
Date: Thu, 27 Aug 1998 7:56:11 -0700
From: Atma-Sphere@ManicReader.com
Organization: SMTEK
To: Atma-Sphere@ManicReader.com
On 1998/08/27 at 07:56:10, B.LAYER@SMTP {b.layer@vikingelectronics.com} wrote:
Hi All,
Has anyone on the list heard of the TDS enhancer? This line-level passive
device, apparently designed by the fellow who brought us sonar(?), is
supposed to re-create a live experience by adding in 'lost' high-frequency
harmonic information.
A friend who heard one at a show reported dramatic improvements, but of
course, we in the Viking audio interrogation group remained quite dubious.
A unit was purchased, and quickly subjected to the scrutiny of our
instruments.
Initial examination revealed that the box contained exactly two
autotransformers, and nothing else. These have a rough 1:2 ratio.
The device relies on the engineered ringing characteristic of the xfmrs,
which ocurrs at 23.5KHz. On the spectrum analyzer, response is within 1.5dB
from 20-10K, and starts a 3dB per octave rise at 10K, to peak at +8dB at
30K. From there, a 3bD per octave rolloff begins.
Listening began with an all-SS 'crap' system, which yeilded pretty good
advantage from the TDS. However, as more ASMS/tube gear was interjected
into the system, the gains deminished in a big way.
Conclusion: Our stereos sound really good.
Bill Layer
Sales Technician
----------------------------------
Viking Electronics, Inc.
Hudson, WI. U.S.A
715.386.8861 (ext. 210)
----------------------------------
"Telecommunications Solutions for the 21st Century"
Subject: Re: TDS and other enhancers
Date: Thu, 27 Aug 1998 8:29:14 -0700
From: Atma-Sphere@ManicReader.com
Organization: SMTEK
To: Atma-Sphere@ManicReader.com
On 1998/08/27 at 08:29:12, KMERSERE@SMTP {kmersereau@baughpdx.com} wrote:
Hi Bill,
I am not supprised by your findings with the TDS, given the price the
unit sells for. It probably is ment more for the lo-fi, mass market
level schlock gear.
I am curious though if anyone is continuing to use other (digital)
enhancement devices such as the Audio Alchemy DTI Pro 32's.
They were fantastic processors, especially for their time(early-mid
90's). I believe even some audiophile caliber recording and
remastering studios utilized them in the AD/DAC chain.
With AA's demise these processors can be purchased for a real bargain,
especially used.
Does anyone have any feedback on these DTI Pro's? Do they (still)
provide a tangible benefit with todays (somewhat) improved dac's? Or
are they already in the digital bone yard?
______________________________ Reply Separator _________________________________
Subject: TDS passive harmonic enhancer
Author: at SMTP_Gateway
Date: 8/27/98 7:56 AM
On 1998/08/27 at 07:56:10, B.LAYER@SMTP {b.layer@vikingelectronics.com} wrote:
Hi All,
Has anyone on the list heard of the TDS enhancer? This line-level passive
device, apparently designed by the fellow who brought us sonar(?), is
supposed to re-create a live experience by adding in 'lost' high-frequency
harmonic information.
A friend who heard one at a show reported dramatic improvements, but of
course, we in the Viking audio interrogation group remained quite dubious.
A unit was purchased, and quickly subjected to the scrutiny of our
instruments.
Initial examination revealed that the box contained exactly two
autotransformers, and nothing else. These have a rough 1:2 ratio.
The device relies on the engineered ringing characteristic of the xfmrs,
which ocurrs at 23.5KHz. On the spectrum analyzer, response is within 1.5dB
from 20-10K, and starts a 3dB per octave rise at 10K, to peak at +8dB at
30K. From there, a 3bD per octave rolloff begins.
Listening began with an all-SS 'crap' system, which yeilded pretty good
advantage from the TDS. However, as more ASMS/tube gear was interjected
into the system, the gains deminished in a big way.
Conclusion: Our stereos sound really good.
Bill Layer
Sales Technician
----------------------------------
Viking Electronics, Inc.
Hudson, WI. U.S.A
715.386.8861 (ext. 210)
----------------------------------
"Telecommunications Solutions for the 21st Century"
Subject: RAD, MAN
Date: Thu, 27 Aug 1998 8:46:57 -0700
From: Atma-Sphere@ManicReader.com
Organization: SMTEK
To: Atma-Sphere@ManicReader.com
On 1998/08/27 at 08:46:56, HITSBBOP@SMTP {hitsbbop@flash.net} wrote:
>Date: Tue, 25 Aug 1998 18:20:52 -0500
>To: asog
>From: Travis Franklin
>Subject: RAD, MAN
>Cc:
>Bcc:
>X-Attachments:
>
> I told myself, I said "Self, don't you get into this fray", but, like, I
>would take my own advice, AS IF!
> Hey Bob, welcome to ASOG. I'm glad my initiation wasn't quite this
>intense. So, like I have MA-1's hooked up to the M-L re-Quests from an
>Adcom (gasp) 565 pre-amp and things sound pretty darn good (plus I have a
>decent phone pre-amp built in, HAH). But back to the fray. You and I
>both know that there are good and bad sounding CD's, and, that there are
>good and bad sounding LP's. So, we all hear differently. Is that a big
>deal? No, it's called a reality check. I think Atma-Sphere does a pretty
>good job of capturing the essence of digital, whatever that is. Maybe it
>captures it too good for some people. I guess I'm too busy listening to
>MUSIC to limit myself to the lousy selection on LP. One has to get one's
>priorities in order, does not one?
>
> All for one,
>
>
> Travis
>
Travis Franklin
hitsbbop@flash.net
Subject: Re: TDS passive harmonic enhancer
Date: Thu, 27 Aug 1998 15:50:26 -0700
From: Atma-Sphere@ManicReader.com
Organization: SMTEK
To: Atma-Sphere@ManicReader.com
On 1998/08/27 at 15:50:24, HITSBBOP@SMTP {hitsbbop@flash.net} wrote:
>On 1998/08/27 at 07:56:10, B.LAYER@SMTP {b.layer@vikingelectronics.com} wrote:
>
>Hi All,
>
>Has anyone on the list heard of the TDS enhancer? This line-level passive
>device, apparently designed by the fellow who brought us sonar(?), is
>supposed to re-create a live experience by adding in 'lost' high-frequency
>harmonic information.
>
>A friend who heard one at a show reported dramatic improvements, but of
>course, we in the Viking audio interrogation group remained quite dubious.
>A unit was purchased, and quickly subjected to the scrutiny of our
>instruments.
>
>Initial examination revealed that the box contained exactly two
>autotransformers, and nothing else. These have a rough 1:2 ratio.
>
>The device relies on the engineered ringing characteristic of the xfmrs,
>which ocurrs at 23.5KHz. On the spectrum analyzer, response is within 1.5dB
>from 20-10K, and starts a 3dB per octave rise at 10K, to peak at +8dB at
>30K. From there, a 3bD per octave rolloff begins.
>
>Listening began with an all-SS 'crap' system, which yeilded pretty good
>advantage from the TDS. However, as more ASMS/tube gear was interjected
>into the system, the gains deminished in a big way.
>
>Conclusion: Our stereos sound really good.
>
So, I read the stuff in the Music Direct catalogue, I think I was in the
"Resource Learning Center", (heh-heh) and I wondered, too. But, did you
account for the different amplifier input impedances likely encountered
during measurements and listening tests, did you insert the device between
the preamp and amp? Transformers have a nasty (and natural) tendency to
ring whenever they are improperly loaded.
Just wondering,
Travis
>
>
>Bill Layer
>Sales Technician
>
>
>----------------------------------
>Viking Electronics, Inc.
>Hudson, WI. U.S.A
>715.386.8861 (ext. 210)
>
>----------------------------------
>
>"Telecommunications Solutions for the 21st Century"
Travis Franklin
hitsbbop@flash.net