[maligue]

As I didn't find a post about this matter, I will proceed with the hope those in know out there can shed light on it.
My system consists of Martin Logan Ascent, NuForce Ref 9 V2SE monoblocks, the Bryston BP 26 and the BCD-1 as well as the BP 1.5 to a tweaked Reson turntable. A variety of cables, presently however mostly Analysis Plus (and a mains conditioner from the British company Alner Hamblin).
The matter is this: I hardly ever get beyond 9 am on the volume pot. Using balanced cabling throughout really highlights the dynamics and 'punch' of the system, but exacerbates the matter all the more. I have tried a 4B SST, which has a gain control, although with minimal effect only.
One sees adverts displaying a volume pot at about the position I can manage, and still stay in the room, with the caption: 'way to loud?' in order to convince you that you need their attenuators. Russ Andrews sell Kimber ICs with attentuators built in. But I wonder is there a way of fiddling with the preamp and/or source to attenuate output? (As I write I do not have the specs. ready to hand).

[James Tanner]

As I didn't find a post about this matter, I will proceed with the hope those in know out there can shed light on it.
My system consists of Martin Logan Ascent, NuForce Ref 9 V2SE monoblocks, the Bryston BP 26 and the BCD-1 as well as the BP 1.5 to a tweaked Reson turntable. A variety of cables, presently however mostly Analysis Plus (and a mains conditioner from the British company Alner Hamblin).
The matter is this: I hardly ever get beyond 9 am on the volume pot. Using balanced cabling throughout really highlights the dynamics and 'punch' of the system, but exacerbates the matter all the more. I have tried a 4B SST, which has a gain control, although with minimal effect only.
One sees adverts displaying a volume pot at about the position I can manage, and still stay in the room, with the caption: 'way to loud?' in order to convince you that you need their attenuators. Russ Andrews sell Kimber ICs with attentuators built in. But I wonder is there a way of fiddling with the preamp and/or source to attenuate output? (As I write I do not have the specs. ready to hand).

Hi malique.

1.Is it with all sources or just the Balanced CD Player
2.When you tried the 4B did you use the 2 volt sensitivity switch?
3.What is the sensitivity of the Nuforce amp input stage?
4.Where are you located?

james

[maligue]

Thanks for yours James! I will answer your questions in the order you raised them:
1. the cdp is the biggest culprit (by the way, the difference is minimal with unbalanced); with the BP 1.5 /and allowing for the properties of the cartridge I use/ the volume pot gets to "10.45 am"; the tuner (a Revox) likewise leaps up and shouts anywhere after 9am
2. with the 4B SST I used both gain settings, preferring the 2 volt setting for an additional 'presence'. Nevertheless, the Bryston and NuForce behave more or less similarly in this respect.
3. I include the specs about the NuForce (some of which are without importance in the context)
• Configuration: Mono; Inputs: RCA and true Balanced XLR
• Power Output
Power/Load 8 ohm 4 ohm 2 ohm
Peak Power (20msec hold time) 325W 650W 1300W
*RMS Power 190W 300W 300W
* RMS power is the maximum continuous power. Peak power provides the required instantaneous
power boost.
• Power bandwidth: 100 to 20 kHz +/- 0.8 db; 10 Hz -0.5 db; 60 kHz -3 db
• THD+N = 0.03%, 1kHz, 10 W
• Input Impedance: 45k-ohms
• Gain: 27 dB
• Signal/Noise Ratio: 100dB @ 100W
• Gold-Plated RCA Input Jack
• Speaker Binding Posts accept spade lugs or banana plugs
• Chassis is 100% high-grade, brushed and anodized aluminum to reduce audio resonance
• Dimensions: 8.5"W x 14"L x 1.8"H (height does not include feet)
• Worldwide AC-Voltage Compatibility: 84VAC to 264VAC
• Weight: 7 lbs.

4. I reside in Switzerland (just returned from the slopes, this winter being like few I can remember: snow like there's no tomorrow ... but cold ...

Thanks for your assistance ... and I am curious whether there is a 'solution'

[James Tanner]

Hi,

Given that all the sources seem a bit high for you we could do a mod and reduce the gain by 6dB in the preamp for you if you wish.

On the CD Player try this:

Hit CODE on the REMOTE then:

250   DAC Output Level -0dB
251   DAC Output Level -1dB
252   DAC Output Level -2dB
253   DAC Output Level -3dB


This way you can reduce the CDPlayer at least.

james

[maligue]

James!
I proceeded as you suggested with the codes ... watching for the double blink of the LED. I think I managed the input (too bad the display doesn't light up with a smiley each time success is achieved!), though I cannot say that there is any 'difference' where it was meant to be heard. For these ears, however, the 'quality' of the sound has improved ... don't know, 'deeper, broader, silkier, if that's the word. My ears perhaps(?)

I note with interest that lurking inside the BCD1 are all kinds of codes that could perhaps be implemented to positive effect. Have they been published somewhere? Can you supply a list thereof with descriptions?

Important, too: how to return to default factory settings, i.e. reset? Unless I have missed something the Manual for the player doesn't provide the info.


Much obliged for all the assistance.

Maligue

[James Tanner]

James!
I proceeded as you suggested with the codes ... watching for the double blink of the LED. I think I managed the input (too bad the display doesn't light up with a smiley each time success is achieved!), though I cannot say that there is any 'difference' where it was meant to be heard. For these ears, however, the 'quality' of the sound has improved ... don't know, 'deeper, broader, silkier, if that's the word. My ears perhaps(?)

I note with interest that lurking inside the BCD1 are all kinds of codes that could perhaps be implemented to positive effect. Have they been published somewhere? Can you supply a list thereof with descriptions?

Important, too: how to return to default factory settings, i.e. reset? Unless I have missed something the Manual for the player doesn't provide the info.


Much obliged for all the assistance.

Maligue

Hi Malique,

There is no smiley face  on the display but it should indicate the level reduction in dB on the display when you punch in the code.

james

[maligue]

... i am uncertain that I am entering codes correctly, for in fact there is no indication of level reduction. to enter codes I need to (a) initialize?; (b) press down the code button until the red led lights?, and (c) type in the code number, all of which is followed by a double blink of the 'power' light, right?
... if so, I did all this, but nothing came on the screen. 

Can you give the code for "reset", back to factory default?

best

edward

[James Tanner]

... i am uncertain that I am entering codes correctly, for in fact there is no indication of level reduction. to enter codes I need to (a) initialize?; (b) press down the code button until the red led lights?, and (c) type in the code number, all of which is followed by a double blink of the 'power' light, right?
... if so, I did all this, but nothing came on the screen. 

Can you give the code for "reset", back to factory default?

best

edward

Hi Edward,

There is no reset code I am aware of but I will check.

Do not hold the CODE button down - just press it and enter the code (253) immediately and you will see -3dB  on the display.

james

[maligue]

... my technical prowess is inadequate; try as I might I fail to get anything at all on the display each time i attempt to enter the codes you provided. who knows, what with all the attempts so far, I have perhaps programmed the player to grow a beard and sing!
... in perusing the bryston website I came across the manual for the universal remote and there I found, for the BDA, the codes you indicated as well as another, 255, for reset. But again, and finally, I can't get any visible reaction out of the machine. My fault? that of the machine? ... of gremlins?

Anyway, it is a pleasure to hear music reproduced so, well ... musically!

best

edward

[James Tanner]

... my technical prowess is inadequate; try as I might I fail to get anything at all on the display each time i attempt to enter the codes you provided. who knows, what with all the attempts so far, I have perhaps programmed the player to grow a beard and sing!
... in perusing the bryston website I came across the manual for the universal remote and there I found, for the BDA, the codes you indicated as well as another, 255, for reset. But again, and finally, I can't get any visible reaction out of the machine. My fault? that of the machine? ... of gremlins?

Anyway, it is a pleasure to hear music reproduced so, well ... musically!

best

edward

Hi Edward,

What is the serial number of your CD Player?

james

[maligue]

Good Morning James
curious you should ask ... yesterday I was going to include it in my message. I am pretty sure that the machine is in the initial series (when it initializes, dates appear which are August 2007 ... ) I am writing from my university office so I can't exactly recally the series no., but it is something like 003300 , or thereabouts.
(I purchased it here in Switzerland from your Swiss representative, in a partial trade against an amplifier ...)

Edward

[James Tanner]

Good Morning James
curious you should ask ... yesterday I was going to include it in my message. I am pretty sure that the machine is in the initial series (when it initializes, dates appear which are August 2007 ... ) I am writing from my university office so I can't exactly recally the series no., but it is something like 003300 , or thereabouts.
(I purchased it here in Switzerland from your Swiss representative, in a partial trade against an amplifier ...)

Edward

Hi edward,

OK it starts to make some sense now as it appears you need to load new software to allow for the codes to be implemented.
Send me an email to jamestanner@bryston.com and I will forward you the new software and instructions for loading.

james