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After awhile, Wyred 4 Sound STP-SE passive/active thoughts

108.14.104.71
Posted on February 11, 2017 at 09:41:03
bullethead
 Some hours, maybe 100, or 200 I should have tracked it but I've had this preamp for awhile.

Never heard passive amps before , this is thin sounding but with extreme detail. What I mean by thin sounding is the sound doesn't burst at the listener so to speak. Laid back, quiet, no oomph. Bass is tight, but not as in your face overwhelming the listener ..

All I could compare it to was a Bel Canto Pre3. So yeah the heavy metal rock or rap concert bass went away, I am left with a clean laid back thin sound that has lots of detail. Very strange sound compared to what I am used to. I'll let my ears adjust, sometimes these things take time. I am thinking more time to settle right now, but so far not what I am used to at all. Sounds very real, just not as in my face as the Bel Canto Pre3. Amp used is a Merrill Audio Taranis, speakers are Gallo Ref 3.5, source Auralic Vega DAC fed by a Sonos connect using lossless streaming (Deezer eLiTe).

Highs are not harsh at all, surprising for digital, a hard sound too. Again much more detail that I have heard in my system. Initial thought is I am missing something, however maybe I am not and this is how real sounding it can get. Like the difference between mastering with Compression which is what I was used to, to something more true to the source mixing board.

 

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RE: After awhile, Wyred 4 Sound STP-SE passive/active thoughts, posted on March 9, 2017 at 05:05:51
samac
Audiophile

Posts: 780
Location: midwest
Joined: August 28, 2004
 Any further thoughts on the STP-SE, bullethead? Is it a keeper?

Cheers,

Scott

 

RE: After awhile, Wyred 4 Sound STP-SE passive/active thoughts, posted on February 12, 2017 at 12:15:30
airtime
Audiophile

Posts: 11287
Location: Arizona
Joined: February 4, 2003
 You have a glaring impedance problem. Classic thin clean clear sound lacking or having a hollowed out midrange.

You either need a passive attenuator of much higher resistance or you just plain need a preamp acting as your buffer.

 

nope, posted on February 14, 2017 at 19:27:29
bullethead
 I made it louder and it was good, put it past 25 on the dial of volume, not sure if it goes to 100.

also SACD sounds glorious! Compared to CD quality.

 

thin sounding but with extreme detail..., posted on February 11, 2017 at 10:58:18
3+4=5
 Reads like what I had for couple of years..
(and never OK with it)
Mine was solved with a way way better IC from pre to amp.

It is odd how a particular sort of sound arises. Some folks claim to 'know why', but really they are just guessing.

The trade off between thin sounding and clarity.. I could write a book, but no answers. For me, the fix was a magical no reason WTF sort of solution.I have no idea how or why a IC 'solved' the issue.

Anyway, just wanting to commensurate

The one idea I would share is to do the 9 volt battery tweak to your IC. Find it in tweaks..
Included is one link to tweak asylum post

 

RE: thin sounding but with extreme detail..., posted on February 11, 2017 at 22:19:04
bullethead
 sounds interesting, I believe audioquest cable has a battery system as well in their higher end lines.

 

As someone who runs his system without a pre, posted on February 11, 2017 at 10:02:03
Quint
Dealer

Posts: 3657
Joined: June 21, 2003
 The differences can be jarring at first. I think you have the right idea: give it more time and see if your initial impressions hold. IME it takes a lot more system "alignment" to get a passive setup to gel than it does with an active pre. Kick back and listen, and see if your overall musical ENJOYMENT increases, not just a few select sonic parameters. That should give you your answer as to which way you should go.

Good luck!
This is a public service announcement . . . WITH GUITARS!!!

 

RE: As someone who runs his system without a pre, posted on February 11, 2017 at 22:17:58
bullethead
 at this point it doesn't matter to me at all. thanks for the advice.

 

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