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TJIann

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Posts posted by TJIann

    Crossover settings

    in 2-Channel Home Audio

    Posted

    I'm not familiar with the Outlaw preamp... But unless you are forced to use the same crossover frequency for all of your speakers, I'd set the Cornwalls a bit lower (at least 40Hz, maybe even 35Hz) to take advantage of their output. Even setting them to "large" and running them full range for music would be fine.

    As Mustang Guy mentioned, 50Hz would be a good frequency for the Heresy.

    You only mentioned the "enhanced stereo mode". But if you are also listening to movie soundtracks (Dolby Digital or True HD) at relatively loud volumes. You might consider bumping the center Heresy crossover to 60Hz, since there is so much content in those channels.

    For just music, you could even set them all to large and run all 5 channels at full range to see what it sounds like. At "normal" volumes it's not going to hurt anything to try it out.

    In the end, what sounds best to your ears in your room is what counts.

    Thanks guys.  I do have all 5 speakers set to large and they sound awesome in the "Enhanced Stereo" mode.  While I do use this as a 5.1 system for Blu Ray as well, I am much more focused on music.  The preamp does allow me to set each speaker individually, so I'll try the Cornwall's down at 40.  Really appreciate the insights and experiences!

    Crossover settings

    in 2-Channel Home Audio

    Posted · Edited by TJIann

    I'm running Cornwall IIs as my mains and Heresys as rears listening in "enhanced stereo mode" (i.e., running same signal front and back, also have a Heresy as a center and a Klipsch subwoofer).  In setting up and calibrating the speakers I have set the crossover frequency to 50 for them all.  My Outlaw Audio (preamp) manual suggests ~10 above the low end of the frequency range (i.e., 38 for the speakers).  What's folks opinions/experience on this? 

     

    Thanks..

     

    Tim

    Power Amp Hum Causes

    in 2-Channel Home Audio

    Posted · Edited by TJIann

    "Yea but $80 for two diodes. C'MON"

     

    The diodes are less than $0.50 in small quantity, a fiberglass box and cover about $2, a duplex outlet about $1.

     

    It all depends on what your time is worth.

     

    DCblock.gif

     

    Note how Bryston has the diodes inside the amp.

     

    Thanks for the diagrams. Appreciate it.   Like I said, I'm planning on building a couple of these for my guitar amp/pedal rigs.  The HumX was a quick solution for my stereo amp that quickly solved my issue with the sound system.  It cost $50 on Amazon (not sure where the $80 figure above came from), so was worth it for me as it was nice an compact, and I would not have had the time to gather the parts and build one myself for a while with my work schedule. 

     

    An obvious question is:  since this is a simple and inexpensive fix, why don't all present day amp builders just include it in their amps to prevent any issue with ground loops?proactively?

    EL84 vs. EL34 (vs. 6L6) Stereo Tube Amp

    in 2-Channel Home Audio

    Posted

    My apologies if it appears I hijacked the thread, not my intension at all. My friend built a similar amp based on the EL-84 and I have heard both. I preferred the 6L6 amp based on it has tighter and more controlled bass response. The El-84 does sound sweet and is a favorite of some of his audiophile friends. I think that amp has an approx. 3 watt output while the 6L6 has 8 to 10 in class A. For Jazz trios, acoustic music etc., I could be very happy with the EL-84 amp.

    Great feedback and love the pics of the amp.  :)

    EL84 vs. EL34 (vs. 6L6) Stereo Tube Amp

    in 2-Channel Home Audio

    Posted

     

    So are you planning on using the tube amp to always power your fronts? Or just when listening in 2 channel via some type of amp switch? Room size and maximum listen level is important when choosing a tube amplifier.

    It is going to always power my fronts (CIIs).  I now use the McIntosh to power the Heresy rears, and a Outlaw Audio monoblock to power the center (Heresy).  Room size is about 14 x 20'.  My listening levels vary depending on mood, time of day, music type, etc.

     

    EL84 vs. EL34 (vs. 6L6) Stereo Tube Amp

    in 2-Channel Home Audio

    Posted

    So are you planning on using the tube amp to always power your fronts? Or just when listening in 2 channel via some type of amp switch? Room size and maximum listen level is important when choosing a tube amplifier.

    It is going to always power my fronts (CIIs).  I now use the McIntosh to power the Heresy rears, and a Outlaw Audio monoblock to power the center (Heresy). 

    New 2 channel setup

    in 2-Channel Home Audio

    Posted

    Congrats! Awesome setup. Being a guitar junkie, I love the R9. :)

    You might like some my prs too, think we've probably met at the experience.

    I used to live in Arnold.

    .

    Yeah, I'm sure we did.  Are you a Birds and Moons (now VR BAM) member too?  I've got 3 PRS right now (Ted DC245, Studio and Starla Ltd.).  :)

    Yes VR pre BAM and Bam before it's demise.

    You may remember this one.

    Nice. Thorn staple P90s?

    Power Amp Hum Causes

    in 2-Channel Home Audio

    Posted

     

    You can make one for about 1/10 the the normal cost.

     

    well, maybe you can.. some of us are mere mortals. :P

     

    I thought about building one (there are a few good YouTube videos from guys who built larger versions in outlet boxes), but there is no way I could make one in a nice compact plastic enclosure with a light to tell me it's engaged.  The cost was worth it for me as I only needed one for the power amp in my system and wanted something that did not take up much space in my already cluttered cables/surge protector area behind the cabinet.  I may build a couple of the versions in standard electrical outlet boxes for my guitar amps.  They can be built for ~$10 in parts.

    New 2 channel setup

    in 2-Channel Home Audio

    Posted

     

    Congrats! Awesome setup. Being a guitar junkie, I love the R9. :)

    You might like some my prs too, think we've probably met at the experience.

    I used to live in Arnold.

    .

     

    Yeah, I'm sure we did.  Are you a Birds and Moons (now VR BAM) member too?  I've got 3 PRS right now (Ted DC245, Studio and Starla Ltd.).  :)

    EL84 vs. EL34 (vs. 6L6) Stereo Tube Amp

    in 2-Channel Home Audio

    Posted

    I have an Outlaw Audio 975 Preamp which I really like.  It covers all the media I have connected to my system.  I listen to everything from classical to jazz to blues to classic rock (probably a good portion of the time) to country to heavy metal.  So, all genres.   I  thought about a tube preamp, but I need a versatile 5.1 system as my TV and Blu Ray is hooked up as well.

    Mr. Beer home brew kit

    in Lounge

    Posted

    My beer is a little cloudy but not bad. Being winter time in a old farm house its hard to keep the room temps warm all the time and I bet thats a key because of the yeast. I'm going to keep brewing. Its alot of fun

    Are you brewing an ale or a lager?  Low temperature fermentations are perfect for lagers, especially 45-55 degrees or so.   Ales need to be fermented (ideally) at 65-75 degrees. 

     

    Either way.....Relax, Life's Too Short, Have a Homebrew!  :)

    • Like 3

    Power Amp Hum Causes

    in 2-Channel Home Audio

    Posted · Edited by TJIann

    A ground loop isolator cost a fortune at $6-12. Get one and have no doubt that you are safe.

    I'd rather not use a component like that with my amp and high end cables. Worried about the affect on tone/sound quality with the thin RCA cables, etc.

    Power Amp Hum Causes

    in 2-Channel Home Audio

    Posted · Edited by TJIann

    When you have a 60hz hum, you have two or more grounds, lifting one is still safe. If you are paranoid make sure you pull the cheater plug when you make any changes and reconfirm you still have a group loop. I'm paranoid and don't like using a cheater plug but remember you are not lifting THE ground you are lifting an extra ground.

    I'm leaning toward leaving the cheater plug on the power amp which plugs into a good power surge protector and conditioner with the other components, and then installing a GFCI outlet this weekend for added protection.

    Power Amp Hum Causes

    in 2-Channel Home Audio

    Posted

    OP, so when only 1 piece of your gear has a power(earth) ground you have a ground loop?

    There are more pieces connected to the preamp inckuding the subwoofer,phono pre, computer and another amp to drive surround speakers. A couple have grounded plugs.

    Power Amp Hum Causes

    in 2-Channel Home Audio

    Posted

     

    Yup, after playing around with moving the plug to other outlets, re-organizing cords, moving the amp away from other components, I tried using a 3 prong to 2 prong adaptor on the amp and it's as quiet as a mouse.  I'm a little unsure if I like that fix, but neither my preamp or other components have 3 prong cords, so not sure what else to do.

    Power Amp Hum Causes

    in 2-Channel Home Audio

    Posted · Edited by TJIann

    So, I am trying out a PrimaLuna Prologue 5 poweramp. It's a direct substitution for my McIntosh MC2105. The issue is a 60 cycle hum in both speakers (Cornwall IIs) with preamp at no volume and makes listening at low volume unpleasant.  The hum was not there with the McIntosh.  This does not increase when raising the volume. It's not the tubes as I did some swaps/rolling to test that. So, assuming a ground loop issue. In your experience, what are top things to do to isolate this problem? Thanks for any insights.

    Tim

    • Like 1

    Newbie To Digital - Need Help With What To Buy

    in 2-Channel Home Audio

    Posted

    I absolutely love having high quality music on my computer, and especially a growing collection of HD versions of my favorite artists.  Also, I have a Motorola Droid phone and use Poweramp on it which plays my FLAC files.  I've totally given up lossy MP3 listening on any device and have never liked the streaming services because of their limited quality.  Sounds like maybe their quality is improving though?

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