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Hey JJ

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In Reply to: Re: Oops...must be the wrong forum posted by JJ Analog on September 26, 2002 at 17:08:56:

The Sony TAP9000ES preamp is really not a A/V preamp, but actually just a multichannel analog switching preamp. I usually hang out over at the Hi-Rez and H.T. forums, we get guys all the time who want to add multichannel SACD sound without ditching their 2 channel tube equipment. We recommend the TAP because it has a 2 channel (and 5.1) audio bypass along with the 2 other 5.1 volume controlled channels. So you see , the signal would just pass though the TAP from a tube preamp like it wasn't there(almost). I'm just coming from the opposite direction.
As for the long interconnects, are you saying that a tube preamp (such as an AE-3 with 20dbs of gain) won't drive long cables? I don't know, that's why I"m asking. And I would think that preamps/buffers with balanced outputs would be designed to drive long cables. For what it is worth I believe that was one of the selling points of the X10d, as per Mr.Sam T. Right now my system is noise free with plenty of bass and (almost too much) treble, don't believe the cables are a problem.

Anyway, I know there's lots of choices out there, think I'm leaning towards something like the above mentioned AE-3 or a tricked out Bottlehead. But did notice that the Space Tech line buffers came in a SE to balanced variety, in which I could keep my Canare Star Quad long cables just switch the ends to balanced. Does that help any?

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Re: Hey JJ - JJ Analog 12:02:41 09/27/02 (1)
I don't know much about balanced/XLR output tubed preamps. The Bottlehead Foreplay is a great and inexpensive linestage though, and it has a cathode follower output that should have low impedance. It is RCA/SE output only but may work fine. If you build one and it doesn't do the job, you can sell it for little or no loss, except your time.
Bottlehead has also just introduced a separate phono preamp, the Seduction, so if you go that way then you can add a matching phono unit later if you get into vinyl (which I recommend!)
- Thanks - jk@home 17:40:28 09/27/02 (0)
  Heard lots of good things about this preamp.
Two comments - Charlie B 04:49:58 09/27/02 (1)
First one of the advantages to tube gear is simplicity of the circuitry and sending the signal through a second preamp dosent sound condusive to good sound.
Second some tube preamps have a relitvly high output impedance and long cables will result in the loss of high frequencies. With the long cable run that you have your tube preamp will need a low impediance output as is provided by a cathode follower output stage.
Is my feeling that a long speaker cable run is much less evel then a long low level cable run.
Charlie
- Re: Two comments - jk@home 09:09:58 09/27/02 (0)
  I agree with the simpler the system the better, but such are the evils of combining "my" stereo system with "the family's" home theater. Lot of us have to do it this way to make everyone happy.
  What you're saying about a preamp with a low output impedence makes sense to me... any brand suggestions/recommendations? (or even just a minimum impendence spec.)The Aragon has an input impedence of 22kOhms SE and 44kOhms balanced.

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