Pre-Amp + Lightweight amp combo

Tweeter Box wrote: ive used a preamp with a PKN6000 which sounded nice

Ahhh... Back to the topic at last...

Heard a rumour about the Amp JTS used to drive 6x Turbomax at Scala last year Dec, was a Chinese lightweight.

Wondering what PL380 could do fed by Pre amp.

On 32A+ they are monsters, even in 2ohm stereo, but have seen them clip early on dodgy supply, just like CA18.

Lev, do you think that an analogue pre amp has more to gain than a digital unit that offers far more facilities. I understand about the sound of analogue, but what would be the point if your system is not optimized because of phase and time alignment anomalies.

Tony.A.S.S. wrote: Lev, do you think that an analogue pre amp has more to gain than a digital unit that offers far more facilities. I understand about the sound of analogue, but what would be the point if your system is not optimized because of phase and time alignment anomalies.

Tony, you would be suprised at what some roots sound systems sound like, with analogue pre-amp, and no phase/time alignment attempted.

But then again you shouldn't be, as some of the best are using your "black boxes"... smiley36

To be honest, I'm not talking about just using pre-amp, but I'm also not saying exactly what I'm thinking either... smiley23

Two of the most potent Pre-amps I've heard...

Are some of these units sounding good because of the boost and cut facilities they have. I know that front ends can make a difference as they do in HI FI, but what I battle with is that everything is supposed to be neutral and transparent. Are you saying that if you had a good pre-amp, it could turn an average sounding amp into a great one, because of the improvements it makes. If you take away some of the gimmicks on some units and you are just left with the basics, are you saying it could sound better than an XTA, KT of BSS. These aren't trick questions, I have always been intrigued by this pre-amp pre-occupation with Sound System guys.

there's a few big sounds around not using preamps.

i guess the bonus with a preamp is that it's an all in one box.

has someone built one with delays in it yet...?

Tony.A.S.S. wrote: Are some of these units sounding good because of the boost and cut facilities they have. I know that front ends can make a difference as they do in HI FI, but what I battle with is that everything is supposed to be neutral and transparent. Are you saying that if you had a good pre-amp, it could turn an average sounding amp into a great one, because of the improvements it makes. If you take away some of the gimmicks on some units and you are just left with the basics, are you saying it could sound better than an XTA, KT of BSS. These aren't trick questions, I have always been intrigued by this pre-amp pre-occupation with Sound System guys.

For 99% of applications, digital LMS is fine.

In Roots reggae scene, there is a desirable pre-amp tonal quality on sub, beyond just boosting, not reproducible by digital LMS.

This is not important or necessary to everyone. Many Reggae sounds will use Digital LMS for most gigs, and pre-amp only for clash scenarios.

However, if 2x sounds are playing with systems of equal calibre, it's immediately noticable which is using pre-amp. Your mates "Touch Above", are perfect example of this. smiley36

I understand what you say, but I would want to know that I already have the best amp and cab before assessing a pre-amp. I assume all pre-amps sound different from each other due perhaps to design or quality of components. However, in an ideal world, all things in the Audio chain are supposed to be transparent. So I wouldn't expect a pre-amp to make much difference, apart from the quality situation.

levyte357 wrote:
In Roots reggae scene, there is a desirable pre-amp tonal quality on sub, beyond just boosting, not reproducible by digital LMS.

whether this is true or not (i'm not challenging), i've always wondered WHY technically this might be the case.

Tony.A.S.S. wrote: I understand what you say, but I would want to know that I already have the best amp and cab before assessing a pre-amp.

When you are happy with how your Driver/Cab combo works with your digital LMS, then you are ready to get a Pre amp. smiley20

Tony.A.S.S. wrote: Lev, do you think that an analogue pre amp has more to gain than a digital unit that offers far more facilities. I understand about the sound of analogue, but what would be the point if your system is not optimized because of phase and time alignment anomalies.

I am currently talking with swiss pre amp builder Jo red to make a one way pre-amp that I'll link onto a Rane AC23 crossover so I'll have the pre-amp sound and facilities (send effects, kills, parametric, quality mirco phone pre-amp, eq etc...) and the ability to phase align my system. Thsi is the idea, will see how we get on.