D
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Friends, I am facing a problem which I believe you might be able to help me think through and solve.
I have a Schiit Valhalla 2 (tube headphone amp used as preamp) connected to my Audiolab 8200A integrated amplifier which drives my speakers (Castle Knight 2). I play CDs on my Cambridge CXC transport connected to Schiit Bifrost DAC which feeds into the Valhalla 2. I’ve confirmed from both the manual and Schiit Helpdesk that Valhalla 2 can be used as a preamp in the chain as above.
The Audiolab 8200A has a pre and power section inside and one can choose to use either or both through the selection knob. There are two ways therefore for me to connect the Valhalla 2 with the 8200A:
Option 1: Valhalla 2 as preamp feeding to the power amp section of 8200A - therefore bypassing the pre section of 8200A.
Option 2: Valhalla 2 A’s preamp feeding to pre of 8200A which in turn feeds to the power amp section of 8200A (I.e. using the 8200A in integrated amp mode after the Valhalla 2 as preamp). Note that this means I have two preamps in series before the power amp.
Now let me tell you that it is clear that the sound quality of option 1 is much better and the one I prefer/love. However, there’s a problem.
When I use this configuration in Option 1 (i.e. Valhalla2 feeding straight to 8200A power amp), the 8200A’s protection mechanism keeps cutting in. Now, this doesn’t happen immediately or with a predictable interval. It can sometimes happen almost once per twice a song, at other times I am able to play two or three CDs before this happens. But whenever this happens, the 8200A mutes itself for about 5-8 seconds and then comes on again playing the music further as if nothing happened.
So, currently I am compelled to use the configuration in option 2 above (Valhalla2 to 8200A preamp to 8200A power amp) in which I don’t face the above problem. However the sound in this mode has a pronounced holographic (record like) effect and sounds more like an arena performance in comparison with the intimate studio like performance sound that I love in option 1. The focus, transparency and microtones of sound in option 1 are so good that I clearly prefer it over the sound of option 2 for my listening.
I am at a loss to solve this problem (mentioned above) of the 8200A’s protection mechanism cutting in when I use the configuration in option 1. Can you think of why this may be happening? And why it doesn’t happen when I use the configuration in option 2? And how I could solve the problem and enjoy listening to my music as per option 1 without the above problem? I look forward to any thoughts, analysis, ideas and suggestions on the same.
Many thanks.
I have a Schiit Valhalla 2 (tube headphone amp used as preamp) connected to my Audiolab 8200A integrated amplifier which drives my speakers (Castle Knight 2). I play CDs on my Cambridge CXC transport connected to Schiit Bifrost DAC which feeds into the Valhalla 2. I’ve confirmed from both the manual and Schiit Helpdesk that Valhalla 2 can be used as a preamp in the chain as above.
The Audiolab 8200A has a pre and power section inside and one can choose to use either or both through the selection knob. There are two ways therefore for me to connect the Valhalla 2 with the 8200A:
Option 1: Valhalla 2 as preamp feeding to the power amp section of 8200A - therefore bypassing the pre section of 8200A.
Option 2: Valhalla 2 A’s preamp feeding to pre of 8200A which in turn feeds to the power amp section of 8200A (I.e. using the 8200A in integrated amp mode after the Valhalla 2 as preamp). Note that this means I have two preamps in series before the power amp.
Now let me tell you that it is clear that the sound quality of option 1 is much better and the one I prefer/love. However, there’s a problem.
When I use this configuration in Option 1 (i.e. Valhalla2 feeding straight to 8200A power amp), the 8200A’s protection mechanism keeps cutting in. Now, this doesn’t happen immediately or with a predictable interval. It can sometimes happen almost once per twice a song, at other times I am able to play two or three CDs before this happens. But whenever this happens, the 8200A mutes itself for about 5-8 seconds and then comes on again playing the music further as if nothing happened.
So, currently I am compelled to use the configuration in option 2 above (Valhalla2 to 8200A preamp to 8200A power amp) in which I don’t face the above problem. However the sound in this mode has a pronounced holographic (record like) effect and sounds more like an arena performance in comparison with the intimate studio like performance sound that I love in option 1. The focus, transparency and microtones of sound in option 1 are so good that I clearly prefer it over the sound of option 2 for my listening.
I am at a loss to solve this problem (mentioned above) of the 8200A’s protection mechanism cutting in when I use the configuration in option 1. Can you think of why this may be happening? And why it doesn’t happen when I use the configuration in option 2? And how I could solve the problem and enjoy listening to my music as per option 1 without the above problem? I look forward to any thoughts, analysis, ideas and suggestions on the same.
Many thanks.
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