Nuance,
on my kind of budget, forgetting tubes for a moment, what would you suggest? I am looking for more musicality, 3 d soundstage, air in the presentation. I also want option to X over at 80hz. I have two integrated amps (Krell KAV 400xi, Anthem 225 int). Both are good and similar in sound but not quite there. Also no bass management.
I will sell one of them, probably the Krell if I go this route.
I considered AVA new components (hybrid pre amp, SS amp), but I don't think their Pre do bass management. Plus would require extra funds.
If you were me, what would you go for with about $1500 approx? or do you think that it requires a bigger budget to improve on the components I have?
TOm
If we're forgoing tubes, then the only options I am aware of are from Parasound (the Classic 2100 preamp and Halo P7) and Emotiva. I have my own opinions on which company I'd prefer to purchase from, but I won't push those on you. I will say that I like my 2100 for what it is/does, and it is easy to use. If you want to get a tube preamp this entire scenario changes, but it is still very doable without degrading sound quality (well, at least in my opinion). This is where the FMODs come into play, as well as a separate subwoofer EQ (see below for a more thorough explanation).
Hi guys.
Can I jump in with some questions as well? I recently added an old sub (M&K V1250THX) into my stereo setup (Dodd buffer, Ncore monos, Bifrost DAC, and SongTower STs). I've been considering inserting some sort of base management to avoid overloading the speakers. My M&K user manager mentioned using a particular high pass filter for this, and I can buy one off of ebay for about $75. This is a passive system without any room correction.
As sometimes happens, I've been finding out about other options, like using the Velodyne SMS. But I noticed the comment above about delay. I've also looked at the FMOD but which one to use in this situation.
Now, I'm feeling a little confused about how to proceed.
Nice system!
I have a friend that uses the SMS-1 for exactly this, and he says he hears no adverse effects sound quality wise. I also have another friend who tried the SMS-1 and said it did negatively effect sound quality, so to each their own on that one.
Personally, I would do this (this is exactly what I plan to do when I purchase a tube preamp):
- Purchase those FMODS, which employ a 12dB slope into the signal path. Your amplifiers impedance will determine which frequency actually gets affected, so simply purchasing the 50Hz or 70Hz FMODs doesn't necessarily mean that's where the filter will be applied. You'll need to research this to help determine which version to purchase.
- Use an external EQ for the subs, but don't run the speakers through it, as that is what the FMODs are for. I'd highly recommend something like the MiniDSP, Behringer 1124p or SMS-1, but again, this will only be for subwoofer EQ - don't connect the speakers to it because the FMODs will already be alleviating the strain on them kind of like a high pass.
- If you need HT bypass capabilities, your preamp needs to have a second set of full range outputs and a L&R channel bypass. You will then purchase a switchbox from radioshack and connect the second set of outputs on the preamp to the inputs on the switchbox, then run that to the subwoofer preout on your receiver. Finally, you'll connect the L&R bypass from your preamp to the L&R preouts on the receiver. When you watch movies you simply activate the switchbox to input B rather than A (A for music, B for movies), or you can purchase one of the auto-sensing switchboxes that will sense the subwoofer signal and automatically switch for you.
As you can tell, things get much more complicated if you're trying to integrate a 2-channel system (2.x actually) into a HT system. But if you're just trying to integrate a subwoofer into a 2-channel system it is very doable using the methodology above.
I hope that helps.
