What's a Balance Preamplifier Should Be Like?

[Sokel]

I think someone must explain Fosi the hi/lo pass function in detail,they don't seem to fully understand.
@Fosi Audio ,if you want an example of the sub out and high pass combined have a look at this very cheap design:

MCRS-2BI or MCRS-2BI3 2Way Bi-Amp Active Stereo Electronic Crossover 24db Low/High Filters - Motronix

MCRS-2BI MCRS-2BI3 High Quality Professional 2 Way Electronic Crossover For Active Bi-Amplification. High Quality Low Noise Op Amp MCRS-2BI model Work with Small Dual AC Transformer (Transformer not included) MCRS-2BI3 model Work with Dual 15-20Vdc Power Supply Low Freq. Range <250 Hz (Can...

motronix.co.il

(i have couple of dirty measurements here about it )

 

[Guddu]

I think someone must explain Fosi the hi/lo pass function in detail,they don't seem to fully understand.
@Fosi Audio ,if you want an example of the sub out and high pass combined have a look at this very cheap design:

MCRS-2BI or MCRS-2BI3 2Way Bi-Amp Active Stereo Electronic Crossover 24db Low/High Filters - Motronix

MCRS-2BI MCRS-2BI3 High Quality Professional 2 Way Electronic Crossover For Active Bi-Amplification. High Quality Low Noise Op Amp MCRS-2BI model Work with Small Dual AC Transformer (Transformer not included) MCRS-2BI3 model Work with Dual 15-20Vdc Power Supply Low Freq. Range <250 Hz (Can...

motronix.co.il

(i have couple of dirty measurements here about it )

you just said what I thought of saying a few times but then every time thought it can not be true
Have replied on this topic a few times, after all!

 

[Sokel]

but then every time thought it can not be true

Post #91 made it clear I think.
Can be just translation issues so an example works better.

 

[Chrise36]

Question is whether the balanced type of amplifier is from input to output? Or is it just only balanced input converted to non-balanced amplifier and then the single ended output is converted to a balanced output. If the second is thought then the concept is worthless to me.

Sub out mono stereo switchable and peq if it is a preamp. More outputs can be useful also.

 

[shion_ca]

Optional Tube Buffer, fully balanced, separate power supply, very granular gain options, unity gain mode, dsp integration, USB in... hey probably not everyone's list in a pre-amp.

 

[Mikig]

Hi Fosi! I was just thinking about it today. Do you have an idea on release times? Thank you

 

[Martin]

Needs more than one balanced input.

 

[defec1]

ironically no balance control....

 

[Zuiko]

Case 1: For desktop PC setup (to drive V3 Monos):
High:
- Subwoofer out with crossover.
- Change to/or add a 1/4 inch headphones plug
- If adding a DAC, must beat the SMSL SU-1 (otherwise leave analog).
- More narrow form factor (go vertical on rear inputs).
- Super quiet when turning on/off or changing inputs/outputs etc. (no speaker pops)
Nice:
- Headphone / speakers toggle button on front (so there is no need to plug/unplug the headphones).
- If the volume is digital, remember the last volume when switching between headphones and speakers
- Match the Z3 Monos: External power supply.
- Bass/Treble/Mids
- A volume knob that's yummy to turn.
Not needed:
- Remote, volume display.

Case 2: As preamp for a dedicated stereo system:
- Subwoofer w/ crossover
- At least one more RCA input
- Remote
- Volume display (dimmable!)
- Auto sleep
- DAC or Phono preamp: Should match the V3 Mono's quality, otherwise leave out to lower the cost.
- Form factor can be wide.

Ultra Deluxe++ Fun Version:
The ability to add multiple opamps/tubes, and a toggle switch to pick which one is active!
Could be both fun and useful to control based on music genre, active vs passive listening, dialog etc...

Thx Fosi!

 

[jruser]

Having a Home Theater Bypass input drastically improves usability.

 

[jbaumann]

One aspect that is important to me is the ability to control it remotely (in the best case via an Ethernet or WiFi connection, but IR would be better than nothing).
More balanced inputs.
Sub out with 80Hz cross-over (or adjustable, if possible).

I think a DAC should be left to a higher-priced version…

PS: Why the network connection? I control everything in my house with home automation, and yes, I can control IR receivers, but with IR you do not get an acknowledgement that what you sent is actually received (e.g. if you want to set a specific volume…)

 

[Cal_Cobra]

Is tone control necessary for this balanced amplifier? Bass, mid, and treble adjustments?

Yes please!

 

[Guddu]

Yes please!

With tone bypass/defeat

 

[Deleted member 72219]

With tone bypass/defeat

This. I don’t want that crap muddling my signal. I have PEQ in the digital domain instead of this archaic stuff.

-Ed

 

[NTK]

This. I don’t want that crap muddling my signal. I have PEQ in the digital domain instead of this archaic stuff.

-Ed

Quoting Floyd Toole:

...
Spectral balance variations in recordings are abundant. I have for decades argued for the liberal use of tone controls - but sadly some under-informed "high end" folks think they are the work of the devil, and they cannot be found in all electronics. They also need to be easily accessible, not buried in layers of software menus.
...

 

[Deleted member 72219]

Quoting Floyd Toole:

I once watched Emeril Lagasse make, “fried rice,” too.

-Ed

 

[defec1]

This. I don’t want that crap muddling my signal. I have PEQ in the digital domain instead of this archaic stuff.

-Ed

A lot of the time you can use the tone controls to make a recording sound a lot more to your liking or mood. They can really add to your overall enjoyment. Things are not mixed to sound best on a flat system most often or you just feel like a bit more low or high at end that day.

 

[gwing]

Needs more than one balanced input.

More than one optical input would be a requirement for me if getting a separate pre-amp. These days I think most folks will have more multiple digital sources, usually optical, than line level, and my DAC already has as many inputs as this proposed pre-amp.

 

[Joe Smith]

Has there been any update from Fosi recently on their preamp development? I don't need balanced, just a RCA preamp that is something like the old Schiit Saga S. With all of their recent releases, it seems like a non-tube based preamp is very slow in coming...!

 

[DSJR]

These days I think most folks will have more multiple digital sources,

Here maybe, but out there in audiophile la la land, where they think 'digital' is still the work of the devil, analogue still rules it seems!