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Wyred 4 Sound STP-SE final thoughts (not a professional review)

108.14.104.71

Posted on March 11, 2017 at 04:30:47
Wow, this preamp opened up and sounds fantastic ...

Detail I strained to hear before with other preamps now no problem, I know everyone is tired of my thoughts on this but everything blossomed, I gather the settling time is very very long, after a few months it sounds completely different,

I don't feel I am qualified to do a professional review but this preamp is really and I mean really good for the entry level price. I tend to parallel myself with components, for the investment I am very good now. I will try to answer any questions with my experience owning this unique preamp if anyone has any.

 

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Do you have the stage 1 & 2 upgrades?, posted on March 11, 2017 at 04:56:58
hawkmoon
Audiophile

Posts: 903
Location: cleveland
Joined: July 11, 2003
Nt.

 

no just the entry level, posted on March 11, 2017 at 05:17:51
No, I couldn't afford that option, I would love to hear it. But I am really happy with my investment.

 

It's your first "good" preamp --- just like my CJ, posted on March 11, 2017 at 06:59:47
airtime
Audiophile

Posts: 11287
Location: Arizona
Joined: February 4, 2003
Yep, when you get your first REAL good preamp it is amazing.

At that point try using another preamp. That is when you truly understand what a good preamp does (or it a good preamps case what is doesn't do - add color to what you are listening too) and how BAD some other preamps really were.

You shouldn't notice it when you are using it but you should notice it when you're not.

 

RE: Wyred 4 Sound STP-SE final thoughts (not a professional review), posted on March 12, 2017 at 17:13:35
samac
Audiophile

Posts: 780
Location: midwest
Joined: August 28, 2004
Congratulations, bullethead. Sounds like the STP-SE is working out well for you. How is the volume control? Is it smooth with fine(small) volume adjustment if needed? Is it even and smooth as you adjust the volume very low?

I ask these questions because the Arcam amp I use right now has the best VC I've used and there is no turning back.:-) Whatever I buy next must have an outstanding VC like my Arcam.

Cheers,

Scott

 

RE: Wyred 4 Sound STP-SE final thoughts (not a professional review), posted on March 12, 2017 at 18:40:49
hi, thanks for the kind words.

since there's a built in volume control that has remote capability, the preamp is mostly passive then it goes into active mode after a certain volume. the control isn't as smooth as Arcam, I've had an Arcam product before I bought used, had it for a little bit then gave it to my friend.

Arcam volume controls are very smooth, since this amp is passive mostly one would hear clicks at each change in volume, that's the tradeoff from having the ability to have a remote, however it is very very convenient to have a remote capability with a passive preamp in my opinion, a fantastic feat of engineering.

Arcam products deserve my respect, I've always loved the look. The preamp I'm talking about here is a hybrid passive/active. I do not think I've used the active part yet because I've haven't raised the volume that high.

I've heard talked before here on this, the passive sound is like just having a straight wire from source to amp, no coloration, no sound of its own as others here have mentioned. I picked this pre because of the balanced input and output options and it has as well analogue input and output options, and made in the USA which is very important to me.

 

RE: It's your first "good" preamp --- just like my CJ, posted on March 12, 2017 at 18:46:19
I put on Axiom Ambient "Lost in the Translation" an epic album I've also seen talked about in Stereophile years ago.

absolutely mind blowing how much sound was missing before. Where there was silence there is now sound.






this album transcends space and time and the reality fabric.

 

RE: Wyred 4 Sound STP-SE final thoughts (not a professional review), posted on March 13, 2017 at 07:01:12
samac
Audiophile

Posts: 780
Location: midwest
Joined: August 28, 2004
Thanks for the reply, bullethead. Looks like you have a great match for your Taranis amp. The internals of the STP-SE are fantastic. The power supply is bigger than that of most amps.

I'm looking to get more power for my system and the Wyred STP-SE/mAMPs combination is on my list.

Cheers,

Scott

 

RE: Wyred 4 Sound STP-SE final thoughts (not a professional review), posted on March 13, 2017 at 07:38:58
Mr Peabody
Audiophile

Posts: 1109
Location: St. Louis, MO, USA
Joined: August 14, 2010
I read on another forum a thread saying how much of an over achiever this preamp is. Your experience seems to verify this as well. If I were looking the W4S would definitely be on my list.

Enjoy, I think you have a good one. The Taranis is a good amp as well. I believe your system is performing beyond what you have invested in it. What speakers are you using?

 

RE: Wyred 4 Sound STP-SE final thoughts (not a professional review), posted on March 13, 2017 at 09:52:46
I'm using Anthony Gallo Nucleus Reference 3.5 speakers.

 

Small world, I have this preamp and Gallo 3.5s, posted on March 30, 2017 at 17:02:10
MarkPR2
Audiophile

Posts: 280
Location: Central Florida
Joined: October 13, 2002
Bought the preamp used a few years ago. The phase switching malfunctioned, no longer works, but I don't care. I haven't owned a great deal of preamps, but I'm confident this is a good one. I'd be taking a chance on anything else and just don't get the impression the Wyred4sound is any sort of a weak link. Mine's the basic model I believe.

 

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