JSmith
Master Contributor
For a moment I thought I was reading WhatHiFi or 6Moons...There is more concentrated nonsense in this thread than is safe for innocent readers.
JSmith
For a moment I thought I was reading WhatHiFi or 6Moons...There is more concentrated nonsense in this thread than is safe for innocent readers.
Where one can get pascal modules?
The Pascal is an OEM only, pro audio amp, used in high end studio monitors etc., best known for its efficiency and on board power supply - not seen or used in any hifi products to my knowledge.
It is used in several hi-fi/high-end products. Aavik, Mytek, Jeff Rowland to name a few.JSmith
The Pascal amps are used in at least one residential speaker: the Dutch & Dutch 8c, which is the residential version of the “8c studio.”
I own a pair and based on their sound , I agree with the description of the highs in the Pascal amps not being sweet or “wet”, to use a studio term. One reviewer (I can’t remember who it was, as there have been so many reviews of the 8c.) said he found the highs somewhat dry. Kalman Rubinson in his Stereophile review said he thought the highs had less “air” and “space” than the Kii Audio Three, which use Hypex modules (not sure of they are Purifi at this point). My solution was to change from my solid state Bel Canto DAC/pre (DAC3.5VB MKII) to an Ayon tube DAC/pre (Stealth XS). Adding a bit of tube warmth and liquidity to the drier, more analytical sound of the 8c gave me exactly what I wanted, the best of both worlds. Yes this is totally subjective, but I am reporting it to confirm what Lord Victor and his listening panel heard.
You are correct. Also you don't even need an EQ, you can just load filters from REW into D&D 8c directly!What a weird idea you realise that the D&D AD converts the inputs and then doing it's thing with its software including xover and then DA converts to the amps inside ? so using their digital inputs directly is a better idea .
And have a digital source with some form of EQ if the tonality is not to your liking ?
You can get assembled amps there: https://en.rougeaudiodesign.com/pascalWhere one can get pascal modules?
You are correct. Also you don't even need an EQ, you can just load filters from REW into D&D 8c directly!
Not 100% sure but possibly D&D even allows for profiles. If not then an automation tools like Selenium can take care of profilesCool if I ever get me one of these . Load a REW curve with room EQ + some preference tuning , personally I like it a bit softer tone .
But i would still try to have a source with EQ or tone controls for these pescy recordings that's seems to vary in tonality .
I borrowed it briefly from a local company that uses them, which is why I no longer have access to it sadly.It is used in several hi-fi/high-end products. Aavik, Mytek, Jeff Rowland to name a few.
OP got hold of the modules somewhere, though. And I am curious where.
aah, now it is clear. but you used some sort of interface board to the modules or figured out how to feed them directly?I borrowed it briefly from a local company that uses them, which is why I no longer have access to it sadly.
none of the companies mentioned above use this specific module to my knowledge though. Gato also uses some pascal modules; the Spro series I believe.
They make something to the Purifi EVAL board, for manufacturers to use as an input board when evaluating the amps, which I borrowed along with it.aah, now it is clear. but you used some sort of interface board to the modules or figured out how to feed them directly?
It would appear so - I’m unsure in which configuration though. The power output etc makes me think it might be dual amp boards running bridged, which they’re slightly less ideal for from what I’ve heard. And don’t know if they’re using the off the shelf evaluation input boards or not... but yes, it looks like one of the few ways to get that amp as a consumerAssuming this is a retail amp that also uses the same Pascal module that you tested?
https://vtvamplifier.com/product/vtv-amplifier-stereo-pascal-lpro-2s-amplifier-800wx2/
Are you saying that competently designed amplifiers of similar key specifications around power/distortion etc have a sound and can be distinguished from each other by listening?I'm a big fan of both Puri-Fi and Pascal (modded by Mytek). They both have their place. Puri-Fi is still a little exotic and pricey not that the Mytek amps with PASCAL aren't. There is such a thing as equipment matching and personal preference. For instance what sounds great on electronic music, 70's/80's pop music, Jazz music might not sound as good with say a full orchestral piece of music with an equally good player, cartridge, and phonostage. All Class D amplifiers are in fact PWM switching amplifiers. They are all subject to EMI and RFI. One company I work with has gone as far as purchase paint from NASA that all but eliminates EMI leakage within their amplifiers power supply and yes, you can hear the difference when you visit their showroom where they have coated and uncoated side by side. Will you in fact notice this when you bring your new equipment home? I doubt it. But you will definitely hear a difference in circuit design and implementation by various brands. To call one cool, and the other warm is ultimately subjective. If you like one, then that's the component for you. If you prefer the other, then you again have your answer.
So I again stress that it all depends on your specific application and needs. Is your room the perfect listening room? This doesn't mean having an anechoic chamber for a listening room. You probably want to have some reflections in your listening room just like a small concert venue. Just make sure you eliminate ringing in your room. Clap your hands in the centre of your room, if it rings, then you need to sort that out.
You can purchase EMI shielding films from several companies and if you don't believe in the efficacy, you can buy just a roll of tape that is 10mm wide by however long it is, apply a strip above and below your speaker terminals on your speaker making sure you don't let the tape touch the positive and negative terminals shorting them out. The tiny strip of EMI absorbing tape will make a shocking difference to what you hear. Obviously power going through cables will create a field of electrons, the tape will minimize this radiation. With Class D, switching PWM amplifiers you will have heaps of EMI if not designed properly. Will you hear it? Yes if you have another device to run an a/b test at the same output level. Will you like one over the other? Yes you will. Is one correct and the other incorrect? That is something that I think is best left to the user.
Class-D has come a long, long way. And the newer it is, somehow the better it seems. We hear things like slew rates with our ears, even though most op-amps discrete or otherwise have numbers below what is considered audible. Slew rate I would argue is more important than distortion ratings. Damping factor is something that is highly debatable based on your exact speaker. Some like high damping factors, some other speakers definitely do not. There's no singular correct answer.
I have several class-D amplifiers and 2 valve amplifiers. They all serve their purpose. I will be purchasing the Mytek Brooklyn amplifier in the coming months just to add another dimension to my equipment. I will judge it on it's own merits and will use my ears as the ultimate judge.
Audiophiles have to decide when to call "When". Newer doesn't mean better, just newer.
Apologies for this long winded response to the pascal/Ncore question. I hope some of you can take something away from this and have another perspective.
Are you saying that competently designed amplifiers of similar key specifications around power/distortion etc have a sound and can be distinguished from each other by listening?
If you've ever played around with different Mains Cables, you'll be surprised and shocked...