[soitstarts]

Hi there,
I am starting the groundwork on a preamp (be nice to wife time ) and am not sure what the ht bypass does in the GK1-M/R. Does it allow me to hook up my mains to both the GK and a HT processor? I'm hoping I can somehow run the signal straight from source, through the GK and straight to the Aksa when listening to music and then run through a processor when watching a movie. I'm starting to think that maybe a GK1-EL is all I need with some sort of switching for my mains between HT and music.
Then again, perhaps I can build another 3 channels, buy a tuner and GK1-R and use my computer to process for movies???

Just getting ahead of myself a bit,  but... Does anyone know of a CD or DVD kit that doesn't require high levels of know how?

Thanks for your time,
Martin.

[Seano]

Martin
From misty memory, the HT bypass avoids the tube stage in the GK-1. So you can use your audio feed from the DVD through the GK-1 and on into the processor without getting all the colour and movement from the tubes. Or some such bafflement.

As for a kit CD.........I've looked at this for quite some time and so far it's a forget it proposition especially for those of us in Oz.  There are kits out there but they are just too out there I'd reckon.  And they ain't cheap.

The way to go seems to be to acquire a 2nd hand CD player with a digital output and then upgrade various components (power supply, crystals etc. see www.soundlabsgroup.com.au for some idea of what is possible - as opposed to feasable or affordable) and/or simply connect it up to an external DAC (of which there are quite a few available in kit form) via the digital output which should (hopefully) do a better job at signal processing than what's in the CD box.

If you want to keep it in the family (and Hugh and his family in clothes and food) then 2005 should/might/could see the release of the DAKSA, Hugh's (and Ben's) version of a kit DAC.

Best of luck with the missus

[EchiDna]

The HT bypass function is effectively that, a bypass-> that is, when activated the poweramp does not "see" the GK-1 as even being in the chain, thus you can use the output of a HT processor or preamp straight throught the GK-1 to your poweramp (AKSA preferred of course! ) without any attenuation or signal changing. This allows the user to use their main speakers for duel purposes - HT and for normal 2 channel listening without swapping cables around...

as for the DIY cdplayer thing... maybe you can take a look at daisylaser in the netherlands as a source, they have all kinds of highend cdplayer kits...

for the PC as a source thing, maybe you should check out the "square circle" located here (I'm the mod) for ideas on what is needed, links etc to get you started... GL!

[jake3]

A HT bypass would be MUCH more useful on a HT amp...an AV Receiver.
I dont see the point in having a tube preamp and not using it.

As far as movies go the sound is not critical, its only boy-meets-girl-defeats-evil noises, so using a GK-1 for movies as well is fine.
But who wants an AV Receiver getting between you and Coltrane?

So the GK-1 has a bypass - fine, but I wont be using it.

And, a lot of AV Receivers have a pre-out which bypasses the power amp stage but the sound is still going to be coloured by the pre-amp stage of the AV Receiver is it not?
Havent yet seen an AV Receiver with a bypass.

What was the question again? Its that time of year...

[EchiDna]

jake,
 for many movie sound is just as important as 2 channel sound - myself included. Thus the ability to still use my AKSA to drive my mains in multi channel mode is a good one IMHO... you see the pre needs to be bypassed or you will have all kinds of issues with volume matching the different channels. my "pre" for multi channel is a HTPC with a highend soundcard - there aint no cheap receiver in the chain....

[Jens]

A WORD OF CAUTION!

The HT bypass may be useful in some respects, but beware!!!

If accidentally engaged during normal playback, you may have a disaster on your hands, if you're not exceptionally quick.

This is because the HT bypass does not only bypass the tube stage, it also totally bypasses the volume control!

This means that any source playing will be directed directly to the power amp - AT FULL VOLUME!!!!!

I've already heard of a couple of AKSAphiles who had a "near miss" when accidentally pressing the wrong button, only saving their speakers by reacting extremely fast.

My suggestion would be to disable the HT bypass, if you're not going to use it anyway. It's only a couple of wires that are easily reattached, should you need them some time in the future.

Be careful out there!

Cheers,

Jens

[fos]

yes Jens, i can vouch for this HT bypass feature. luckily my luxman power amp has volume attenuators on both channels. I use them to set a maximum output level. as long as no visiting todlers find the shinny things attractive that is.....

[AKSA]

Jens,

Good advice indeed.  Thanks for the tip;  I'll include it in the instructions!!

Cheers,

Hugh

[jake3]

I hate to see anything happen to those Aarons of yours Fos...