IMO, neither the Modwright nor the BAT will produce a sound appreciably different from the Pass preamp to warrant the expenditure. These products approach the nexus where tubes sound close to solid state and vice versa.
Showing 8 responses by tvad
Do you think a balanced TRL Dude would be a better choice?Having never heard one, I can't say. However, you should be aware that it is not a balanced design, which Knghifi alluded to when he mentioned pseudo balanced XLR inputs/outputs. Contact TRL and find out if they would be using transformer coupling to convert to balanced operation, or if the XLR outputs/inputs would simply be wired single ended (like RCA>XLR adapters). Also, ask about the output impedance specification, so you are certain it will match properly with the XA-60.5 input impedance. |
09-30-10: Rtn1That's not what I wrote. I did not say the preamps wouldn't sound different. My comment focused on the degree of difference and whether it would be worth the expense. Of course, we all perceive sound differently, and what I consider a small difference others could consider jaw dropping. If the OP wants to experiment, then I agree completely with the advice offered in your first response in the thread. |
Rtn1, your comment about the right system is pertinent, and it's the criteria on which my comment was primarily based. The OP's electronics are differentially balanced, and they are about as dead nuts neutral as one can get (Esoteric digital source, Pass Labs amps and preamp). Having owned the same amps, and presently owning an Esoteric digital source with which I've used several balanced preamps, I still believe the degree of change will be rather small compared to the expense. But...it's just my opinion, and buying a used Modwright and a used BAT and trying them would certainly answer any questions for the OP. |
Roor, since the output impedance spec of the Dude is not provided, it seems to be a situation where you'd have to hear the preamp in your system to decide if it matches or not. You'd want to be listening for rolled-off highs. I don't know what a resistor pull-down XLR is. The BAT VK-51SE was tested by Stereophile, and the output impedance was measured at 410 ohms (200 ohms spec'd by BAT), and rising to 4700 ohms at 20K. John Atkinson writes: "This will not be an issue with components having high input impedances, such as BAT's own power amplifiers, but it does mean prematurely rolled-off low frequencies with low load impedances (fig.1), such as those offered by some solid-state amplifiers." The measurements are here. The Modwright preamp has a factory spec'd output impedance of 110 ohms, which is quite low. However, it has not been measured by Stereophile, so the question of how high the output impedance rises into high frequencies is unknown. |
BTW...I once owned a Lamm L2 Reference preamp which I used with my XA-60.5 amps. I thought this match was very good. It took quite a while comparing it to the SMc Audio VRE-1 to decide to sell the Lamm. I imagine some listeners might even prefer the Lamm. The L2 Reference runs about $6000 used. I think I bought (and sold) mine for less than that. |
10-01-10: RoorIn my system, on 93dB speakers, hiss was not a problem with the Lamm L2 Reference. 10-01-10: AlmargYou're right. |