Tact Pre Amps 2.2XP

Previous responses, ditto

Any sacrifice in transparency is more than made up for by the time and node/standing wave elimination.

30 years in high end, straight wire guy, now proseletyzing for Tact digital and timing eq. Not just EQ, Rives does a great job with that, with a less intrusive method and no DACs required. Timing is also very important in EQing and Tact has that in spades.

This is my second TacT, first was 2.0, (2 years ago) now have full tilt MauiMod 2.2x (owned for a few months now) that is in place of an Emotive Sira and used with Esoteric 50s, VPH TNT and VDH Black Beauty, Ensemble Phono Brio, Sme V, Soundlabs, Wolcotts, Siltech... etc. Good stuff, I think, but never heard it so good until Tact took care of the room.

All rooms have issues and I used ASC, Slat foam and other conventional stuff, (Wife "gave me" a room in the house for audio)but never heard the system before, I heard mostly the room. The other treatments help, but if you can't use them, say, for cosmetic purposes, you really need the Tact, otherwise, you just simply need the Tact.

Most important purchase I've ever made in audio, and I've made a bunch. I'd never go back.

I used to have the theory of the "musicians in my room" would sound like this, (with superimposed sonics) but now it's like I can eliminate my room and listen to the venue they recorded in. I'd never go back.

The learning curve is painfully steep, but worth it. I think you need to get a laptop if you don't have one, unless you have a computer in the audio room, so you can change eq curves while you're in the room.

Umm, can you tell I like it? I swear, I don't work for these guys!

Jeff

Hi Bob- I wouldn't add anything else to the audio chain personally. I can't really imagine a need. I still abhor overprocessing signals, and adding interconnects. The TacT does act as a pre-amp(adds SOME gain)and (as mentioned): is capable of more with the power supply upgrade(digital clipping is nasty). If you're thinking, "tone controls": The TacT has a bass/mid/high shelving control as well(even better if you need it). One of the niceties of using the Tact is moving the subs into the room corners, and being able to time align them with the mains. Having crossed mine at 300hz/60db per oct has increased the system's dynamic range greatly. Much more power available with the bass/low mid duties removed from the tube mains. My subs are transmission lines driven by a trans-nova 9505(high damping factor/slew rate), and agile enough to match the speed of my Maggies. That's important for a seamless bass/main transition.

I forgot to mention: Lyngdorf uses a 10" woofer that possesses extreme transient speed/efficiency. Available here: (http://www.audiosystems.com/NewComponents.html), as well as their complete corner-woofer system(You have to query him concerning the raw drivers). I believe the guy offers a kit form as well. With these 10's on the bottom: You don't need a monster amp, or have to worry about matching the transient response of your mains.

Thanks for all the comments and insight. The question is TacT 2.0S vs. 2.2 XP. I do have a 15" Velodyne subwoofer but live in a condo so it's in storage. I'm torn between buying something I can use now and upgrading later or growing into an overspec'd unit when I move in a few years.

Thoughts