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In Reply to: Re: Bent 102 M - what generation & type of S&B trannies it use? posted by saltyflies on April 9, 2007 at 17:39:28:
....I heard it quite the other way. Kevin Carter (K&K Audio) built my preamp using the Mark II version and later built one for my friend using the Mark Is. Hearing his preamp made mine sound slightly tilted up in the upper midrange with a slight glare. His was much more natural, while retaining the same transparency as mine. Kevin came through and found a pair of Mark Is he had laying around and I sent mine back to have it retrofitted. To my ears, the original trannies are the clear winners. Now I do understand that the Mark IIIs may be the shit, but I don't care, because I am VERY happy with the sound of my preamp now.
Follow Ups:
Besides the subjective impressions stuff, the system can result in varying opinions as well. IMS, the mk2 compared to direct connect created a more natural or on the warmer side of dead on neutral effect. Although musical, the slighty subtractive dynamics and pace felt a little reserved or too polite. I kept it as the lesser of two evils b/c it did a better job at preserving the original signal than anything else. After trying it in various systems and once again hearing it besting many (including standing toe to toe against a heavyweight in a dealer rig) assumed it was the nature of the beast. I left well enough alone, but eventually brought it to and end up leaving it at my friends place. Some voodoo synergy thing made it more than just musical, but it magical.I’m glad you’re happy yours and know my buddy is happy with mine. However, the recent events with S&B don’t sit right with me. I’m hoping Bent or another manufacture can produce something better.
Believe what your ears say - not hearsay.
I compared mine directly to a Cary SLP-98 and it was a slam dunk in favor of the TVC. Compared to a CJ Premier 16LS II it was much closer and the CJ had the slight edge.Oh, and the TVC creamed a Tom Evans Vibe too. I could name many more, but those three are the most expensive I compared it to in the same system.
I like the way the 98 looks and found the midrange nice, but too warm for my taste. Different system, but didn’t think it could touch the TVC. Nothing I tried could or have heard sub (4k) can and think it can stand toe to toe with most (6k) offerings as well.
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