Pre-amps with Loudness - OSD Pre-1 ?

[john61ct]

Most of my source-switchers and volume controls are analog-only, which is my preference. I am also frugal, some months actually poor 8-(

I like having physical tone controls, and miss the old variable loudness curve feature, ideally automatically coupled with the volume level, but I guess that requires a DSP these days?

I've looked at Schiit's offerings but they haven't done Loudness, (EDIT I was wrong YAY

and yes I am aware of why so many Loudness circuits suck, please don't tell me "just say no"...

I've gone down the research rabbit hole on Wiim Ultra, but despite its incredible value and array of features, it seems its Loudness preset is not all that great?

I also want to use it for room correction, and it seems that you can't have both without manual guesstimating? All feedback welcome on those issues...

I have found OSD's Pre-1, which also offers "tape monitor" in-out looping, another feature I wish was more common on modern pre-amp gear.

Any feedback on the likelihood of that unit's "clean transparent" SQ ?

Any better suggestions, short of renovating ancient gear? No tubes please!

TIA

 

[john61ct]

Specs from OSD:

signal-to-noise ratio:

>80 dB line

>70dB phono

>50dB mic

total harmonic distortion

>0.2% line

>0.4% phono

>0.4% mic

are those Line specs horrible? (if true)

 

[FrantzM]

Hi

On the Amazon page you linked us to :

Caveat emptor

Peace

​

 

[woppinger]

I've looked at Schiit's offerings but they haven't done Loudness

FWIW you can get Loudness control with Schiit's new products like Mimir (using their Forkbeard digital control module/app, currently iOS only)

 

[john61ct]

NOICE! I don't need "yet another DAC" but I guess they just come free in so many boxen like the temporary tattoos in a box of Cracker Jacks

And I think Schiit's SQ and loudness implementation is likely to be at least "pretty good"

No "tape loop" monitoring though 8-(

Thanks for the pointer!

FWIW you can get Loudness control with Schiit's new products like Mimir (using their Forkbeard digital control module/app, currently iOS only)

 

[john61ct]

Yes red flag in general, more likely to be a build quality (lemon) issue though rather than SQ necessarily

Even at twice the price Schiit should be worth saving up the pennies...

On the Amazon page you linked us to :
Caveat emptorView attachment 459266

 

[john61ct]

Eww, iFruit only 8-O

maybe my teen daughter will lend me one of her old ones

 

[john61ct]

RME ADI-2 series, but pricey

 

[john61ct]

Chase RLC-1 "remote line controller"

loudness compensation is automatic, increases as volume lowered

Seems ideal? and they go for cheap! please, feedback from any members familiar

 

[john61ct]

Mimir's Fletcher-Munson loudness EQ implementation (actually, Forkbeard's) is not just

variable, increases automatically as volume level is lowered (and v/v ofc), but is also

scalable, you can manually dial their algo back if the default "intensity" is greater than what you prefer

Jason: "I don't think that's EVER been done before, in analog or digital."

A Good Thing™ since often in such tweaking, less is more, subtlety the key

 

[john61ct]

I wish Wiim Ultra had a "Fletcher-Munson loudness EQ" feature like Schiit Mimir, automatically varied with the volume control

and a **separate** control panel where the user could

scale the implementation of the curve to be more vs less "intense"

set the volume control level "reference point" above which the feature stops affecting the EQ

and just toggle the whole feature on and off

These settings would be a **separate** overlay in relation to other EQ features so largely "set and forget" unless the user's preferences (or hearing) changes, or of course system altered.

 

[john61ct]

Found an Adcom GFP 555 (pre-amp not power) which has a simple loudness "Contour" toggle. Also balance, bass / treble knobs, mono, hi/lo filter buttons, decent phono stage, integrated HPamp...

Two different RCA analog outputs, one with capacitors in the chain and another bypass "Lab" output that is DC coupled for purists

Two separate input switchers, one for Listening, the other "recording" for external signal processing loop inputs

each offer FIVE choices of analog inputs, not counting phono

THREE external processing loops, two switched / bypassable + one marked "Signal Processor" unswitched full-time but via bridging inserts.

Unknown if the "Lab" RCA output bypasses that last full-time loop or not, presumably does disable the tone-related front controls.

Also unknown if the GFP-555's loudness contour is automatic-variable or not, will test it against say Chase RLC-1, maybe Schiit Mimir for use on the full-time loop as remote volume control.

Then maybe put an OG GEQ or Wiim Ultra / other DSP EQ on to a switched loop for room correction EQ, so can disable for headphone use

If Mimir is not used for volume control + loudness then putting it on the second switched loop could PEQ differently for headphones, and/or act as remote ad-hoc-adjustable PEQ tone controls

with more applicability than the GFP-555's, which only affect 40hz and 15khz

I think safe to say blows the Pre-1 out of the water...

yes likely need to renew capacitors

 

[dualazmak]

My posts here and here on the thread "Tone control" would be of your reference and interest, I assume.

 

[john61ct]

Thanks, yes