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TVC + Altmann amp?

Hi there, great site and my first post. I am intrigued by the Altmann BYOB amp for use with my Avantgarde Duo Omega speakers (108dB/W). My equipment is housed in an adjacent room to the speakers so I really need remote control of at least volume. This would mean using the Altmann amp with the volume control wide open. I would welcome your views on how successful this would be, particularly with something like the TAP TVC.
rocketiii
macrojack
1,292 posts
 
You'll have to use an active preamp. Vinnie Rossi of Red Wine Audio says it is inadvisable to use two passive volume controls in series.
Incidentally, I had the loan of an Altmann Attraction DAC for about a week. Charles Altmann seems to know what he is doing. It was the finest digital I've ever heard. I'll bet his amplifier is astonishing. Wish I could use one.
teajay
1,333 posts
 
Rockettiii, take a look at my review on the Bent Tap here on the GON for details regarding its' performance. Also, are you aware that for at least right now John Chapman is not building the Tap because of the stupid choice of S&B who used to provide the transformers to him.
rocketiii OP
24 posts
 
Thanks Macrojack for your advice. I have concerns about using 2 passive devices and I have just received an email from Charles Altmann where he advises that the pot on his unit can be ignored because it would be fully open. I see what he means but would like to know of others experience before I consider purchasing.

Teejay - oh...er that's blown that idea out anyway!
macrojack
1,292 posts
 
Because the Sig 30 has only one input, I use a Purest Audio Design passive pre with 4 inputs as an input switcher. After I read Vinnie's advice, I bypassed the switcher and ran straight into the Sig. Big difference in terms of clarity and energy in the music. I'm going to buy Vinnie's switchbox and get rid of the Purest. Incidentally I liked using the Purest because it has dual volume pots which allowed for balance adjustment but even with both pots wide open, the compromise was evident. Too bad.
herman
1,974 posts
 
I had the BYOB with my Duo Omegas and tried it with the DAC straight to the BYOB and with my Placette passive RVC in-between.

With the BYOB wide open I could only use a few steps on the Placette before it was too loud. I had to turn down the volume on the BYOB to use this combo. I didn't feel like I lost anything doing it this way as opposed to the DAC straight into BYOB and using the BYOB vol ctrl.

I sold the BYOB because it could not match my DIY tube amp. The bass was tighter but not as tuneful, the high end a bit more extended but ultimately it just didn't sound as natural as my amp. I suppose that may be due to harmonics generated in my amp. The Altmann sounded very good and I see why people like it, but my amp sounds like music and the Altmann sounds like a great stereo.

Love the DAC though.
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