Hi Xi-Trum,
Thank you for your announcement but, let's not get everyone too excited
or possibly exaggerate the results of Purist Mod #1.
Here’s the story:
The Purist is designed with adjustable gain because IRD knows all gain is bad. Every time you add gain you loose signal-to-noise ratio, this is fact.
Preamps come with gains from +6dB to +18dB, the higher gains for older source components, low gain amps, and inefficient loudspeakers. We believe gains higher than +12db are no longer required and that maybe +9.5dB is enough to match 95% of today’s systems.
With the Purist you simply dial in the gain you need, no extra, to match your source/ amp/ loudspeaker combo. The adjustable gain feature optimizes your systems overall gain for the current music source and amp to drive the loudspeakers to max/full volume.
Mod #1 only changes the gain range, by simply removing one resistor from each channel. All signal paths, components, relays, and everything else inside remain unchanged.
After Mod #1 is applied the gain is laterally shifted by -6dB changing the gain selection from +6/+9.5/+12dB to 0/+6/+9.5dB, which can work well in high-gain, efficient loudspeaker systems.
Read/See all about The Purist Mod #1 here: (download file : “Mod #1(PDF)”)
http://www.ird-thailand.com/_downloads/_downloads.htmDoes it sound better? Well, the only difference would be at the new 0dB setting since +6/+9.5dB were there before. At 0dB I can measure a trivial change in the noise floor level (far below hearing level) but, I can’t say I hear an improvement, not with my ears in my system.
But, it’s definitely an improvement to reduce gain (again, fact) when possible.
Mod #1 gives the Purist four added volume control positions (1.5 x 4 = 6dB) if needed. High gain systems can reach full volume early, say 11 o’clock on the dial, Mod#1 can extend that to 2-3 o’clock giving improved room control and yielding a quieter low level listening range.
The bottom line:
First, let me say IMO the Purist is one of the most transparent preamps available today, an exceptional sounding piece of gear at any gain setting.
Now, it MAY be possible for some with great ears and killer high-resolution loudspeakers to hear a change in sound after Mod #1 but, I’m not sure one should expect the sound quality to improve “Quite a bit”. I think most would hear no difference and just gain better room control.
We do have one customer who has a VERY good system and much experience testing preamps (the grapevine?). He says he did like the new 0dB setting better than +6dB. Maybe he will post a Purist review in the future, after he listens long enough to really get to know the Purist in his system, mentioning his thoughts and findings. I think that would be an interesting read.
I do recommend Mod #1 if you don't need the +12dB gain setting with your gear.
