Moving to Actives !!!

[arj]

Have not tried any DHT pre yet. Latest addition I made to setup is a 3KVA Online Ups from APC. Finally got my peace of mind. Also realising XLR to RCA conversion is introducing some hum. The speakers are dead silent when I connect via balanced XLR IN/OUT but not when I am using the conversion. Have used multiple cables till hum persists. So hunt for a pre comes with mandatory ask of balanced XLR inputs and outputs.

The choice of a tube pre with balanced out is a smaller group to choose from ! I would suspect that in your setup ,becuse of the gain, you just might get that little more transparency from a Passive pre..advantage is while the system gain is lower, higher transparency and lower noise.

For Passive- Music First. I believe the Schiit Freya also has a passive mode
Active- Modwright , Audio research, Silvercore...and so many more.

 

[deepestpurple]

I will go with active pre. First priority is to get rid of the hum. Let's see what grounding is missing. With restricted travel options, import is also stalled for a while now. SO have to live with what I have.

 

[deepestpurple]

I will get a chance to audition the CJ ET3 this week. Let's see how that goes.

 

[deepestpurple]

I have Liebert GXT MT+ CX 1KVA online UPS. It is a must for us.


I am also using XLR to RCA converters with my DHT amp. I also have some hum. It was due to ground problem.There is a grounding terminal on the amp. I use ifi groundhog & directly connect to wall receptacle (not an extension cord). Now, there is no more hum, Pitch black background even with headphones.

Thanks for the suggestion. Do we get ifi groundhog in India ?

 

[johnmicheal]

congratulation,
Audition is possible,as I am in Bangalore?

 

[deepestpurple]

Fellow Forum Members, I would love to have you over for demo once COVID scenario eases out and I also finish setting up the system till then we will ahve to live with exchanging notes/messages on the forum

 

[lithiumnk]

Thanks for the suggestion. Do we get ifi groundhog in India ?

Yes, its available on headphone zone. You could also get from various online shops in Singapore. (for eg: stereo.com.sg)

 

[deepestpurple]

Yes, its available on headphone zone. You could also get from various online shops in Singapore. (for eg: stereo.com.sg)

Thanks buddy

 

[drkrack]

Fellow Forum Members, I would love to have you over for demo once COVID scenario eases out and I also finish setting up the system till then we will ahve to live with exchanging notes/messages on the forum

I wish I was in Bengaluru to Experience this system first hand ( after Pandemic of course), Would have bought my Freya+ so your purpose would have been served. Freya+ is dead silent in any mode & it passes the 'Ear Near Tweeter' test with flying colors. The Three Modes Tube, Active JFET & true Passive mode gives you lots of options, though ( subjective) its very tough to go back once you listen to the excellent tube mode. Anyways there are many tube/SS XLR Preamplifiers you can evaluate.
Congratulations again!

 

[deepestpurple]

I don't have a dedicated music room. So setup is in living room and the room was done in a certain style and color coordination. SO getting some amount sound absorption and diffusion is taking time. I expect to complete the setup in next few months.

 

[oldmonk]

you might want to look at something bespoke for your lovely speaker

the bespoke audio company from UK makes custom built pre amps

check them out

some friends in the UK were referring to it.

It might be pricey but your speakers deserve something well made i guess.

This is more likely to be a satisfactory situation

good luck !

music first audio UK is good too - i am told.

check them out too..

 

[deepestpurple]

you might want to look at something bespoke for your lovely speaker

the bespoke audio company from UK makes custom built pre amps

check them out

some friends in the UK were referring to it.

It might be pricey but your speakers deserve something well made i guess.

This is more likely to be a satisfactory situation

good luck !

music first audio UK is good too - i am told.

check them out too..

Thanks for the suggestion. Will check it out.

 

[deepestpurple]

Update on hum - got the UPS installed which moved it away from the speakers and surprisingly the hum has almost vanished. In fact when I went through the UPS manual it clearly stated that the UPS is a category C2 UPS and in home environment it may cause radio interference. Is that the reason for the hum i was getting ??? Thoughts ??? btw I have not changed any cable or xlr connectors.

 

[lithiumnk]

Update on hum - got the UPS installed which moved it away from the speakers and surprisingly the hum has almost vanished. In fact when I went through the UPS manual it clearly stated that the UPS is a category C2 UPS and in home environment it may cause radio interference. Is that the reason for the hum i was getting ??? Thoughts ??? btw I have not changed any cable or xlr connectors.

I have placed my online UPS in a different room as it has a fan which is easily audible in the same room.
I got a 10 meter long power cord from rsdelivers. This is connected to my psaudio dectet power conditioner. The power conditioner has diff receptacles for power amp/sub, analog & digital devices.
For me the sound of the ups was more noticeable than the hum. But, now both are taken care of.

 

[oldmonk]

i was also thinking of Tisbury audio - quite VFM and also a company called BTE designs - making specialised pre amps

these 2 names did not occur to me the other day..

good day !

 

[deepestpurple]

Update - basically trying to do some diffusers and absorption panels. Right now I have zeroed in the speaker placements : 114 inches apart from sound axis, sweet spot at 95 inches, distance between speakers and back wall 26 inches, distance between speaker and front wall 240 inches, distance between right speaker and right wall (library) 72 inches, distance between left speaker and left wall 122 inches. Started with 4 panels behind the speakers and what a difference it has made. Need to figure out the optimal height for further improvement. Next would be diffuser and panels behind the listening position. Not planning to put anything on the right or left wall as the distance i feel is enough. what do you folks suggest ? Picture below

 

[captainsubtext]

You seem to be sitting pretty far field so more room for reflections. the book shelf on the right will act as a natural diffuser. The left wall could do with a bit of treatment from the looks of it


You could try and put a razai on the wall and see if you perceive any difference and then see if you want to spend some money.

It’s a really nice room and aesthetic treatment won’t come cheap!

 

[oldmonk]

+1

Try to overcome the room by sitting closer to the speakers and check if toe in works for you

Large rooms are a blessing and a pain..

Those panels spoil the view don't you think ?

 

[raghupb]

@deepestpurple
Lovely room!!

Try to cover the entire glass door between the speakers.
Use folding sections, if required; these can be downed to allow light when required.

Cheers,
Raghu

 

[deepestpurple]

You seem to be sitting pretty far field so more room for reflections. the book shelf on the right will act as a natural diffuser. The left wall could do with a bit of treatment from the looks of it


You could try and put a razai on the wall and see if you perceive any difference and then see if you want to spend some money.

It’s a really nice room and aesthetic treatment won’t come cheap!

Listening position is the small stool that you see near the carpet I can not touch the left wall, I will get killed max I can do is removal absorption panel