Usher P-307a pre

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[Deleted User]
[Deleted User] Posts: 10,716
in 2 Channel Audio
Picked this baby up to tide me over until my Vincent phono tube pre gets repaired.
Gulp.

I bought some pedestrian Canare RCA to XLR for the test
and put it in front of my Benchmark HGC DAC2.
I then set the attenuation on the AHB2 and
smooth.
Better bass.
Less sibilance on digital media.
Seemingly no loss of detail anywhere in the range.
Phono very good.
Separate power supply with DC feed.
Dog still growls at Pink Floyd.
I can live with this IF :)
I can live with: no remote. No HT bypass. :|
In fact, I've never had it better.
95nc1gw2wibv.jpg

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  • xsmi
    xsmi Posts: 1,786
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    Nice looking piece. How would you compare the sound to the Vincent?
    2-channelBelles 22A Pre, Emotiva XPA-2 Gen 2, Marantz SA8005, Pro-Ject RPM-10 Turntable, Pro-Ject Phono Box DS3B, Polk Audio Legend L800's, AudioQuest Cable throughout.
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  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User] Posts: 10,716
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    Better. :) I can't do a direct comparison at the moment.
    The pre does what you would want a new piece to do.
    The instruments sound more real and engaging. Somewhat
    tube like but controlled. Not to say the Vincent was out of
    control.

    With the Benchmark as a pre it is more forward sounding
    and (I didn't know until I tried it) top ended. However,
    I have more testing to do at some point, as I ran the DAC/Amp
    combo with zero attenuation. (there is 3 settings) I moved the
    it to the middle for the Pre.

    I very happy. Don't even what to upgrade the interconnect.
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  • mikeyb128
    mikeyb128 Posts: 2,885
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    Do you find the benchmark to sound more forward when used as a dac? I found mine to be very detailed but seemed to lack some soul/weight, and started to notice it sounding more forward, causing some listening fatigue with certain material.

    Just curious, as I really loved that dac, I didn't experience this with the bryston. I've read it may be a characteristic with the sabre 9018 chip.
    2 channel:
    Bryston 4B3, Bryston BDA3, Cary SLP05, Shanling CDT1000SE with parts conneXion level 2 mods, Nottingham analogue ace space 294, soundsmith Carmen MKii, Zu DL103 MKii, Ortofon MC 20 MKii, Dynavector XX2 MKii, Rogue Audio Ares, Core power technologies balanced power conditioner, Akiko Corelli power conditioner with Akiko Audio HQ power cable, Nordost heimdall 2, Frey 2, interconnects, speaker and power cables, Focal Electra 1028 BE 2, Auralic Aries Femto, Black diamond racing cones, ingress audio level 1 roller blocks, JL Audio E110 with Auralic subdude, Primacoustics room treatments.
    Theater:
    Focal Aria 926,905,CC900, SVS PB ultra x2. Pioneer Elite SC85, Oppo BDP93, Panamax M5400PM, Minix neox6, Nordost Blue heaven LS power cables.

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  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User] Posts: 10,716
    edited April 2017
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    To be fair, I also have considered the interconnects which aren't the same.
    I'm getting more detail out of the
    Marantz UD7007 analog > Transparent Super MM2 > Usher
    than the
    Marantz UD7007 digital > Signal silver > Benchmark Dac > Usher

    Oh, with a REDBOOK.

    It could be that the DAC implemention is better
    in the Marantz. I'm trying not to think about that as it would be an indictment
    against Stereophiles rating system. :o

    Sorry cable nansayers. :)
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  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User] Posts: 10,716
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    I think it's a bit of a "sleeper." :)
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  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User] Posts: 10,716
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    I can't give it to you exactly. My Speaks are very honest. bad sounding media
    sounds bad, ect. So I was assuming I needed to find the right balance w/
    those. If I had to say right now I'd say no. No fatigue. Time to toss some
    24 bit stuff into the mix.
    mikeyb128 wrote: »
    Do you find the benchmark to sound more forward when used as a dac? I found mine to be very detailed but seemed to lack some soul/weight, and started to notice it sounding more forward, causing some listening fatigue with certain material.

    Just curious, as I really loved that dac, I didn't experience this with the bryston. I've read it may be a characteristic with the sabre 9018 chip.

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  • mikeyb128
    mikeyb128 Posts: 2,885
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    DSkip wrote: »
    If you think it boils down to just the chip, then it's obvious you haven't heard the North Star gear yet. Auralic is nice too but it is more neutral.

    I realize it's all about the implementation of said chip. I've been researching until blue in the face. There are so many dacs on the market. And no I haven't heard the North Star gear. I'm limited to what local dealers carry, which is mostly Canadian.
    2 channel:
    Bryston 4B3, Bryston BDA3, Cary SLP05, Shanling CDT1000SE with parts conneXion level 2 mods, Nottingham analogue ace space 294, soundsmith Carmen MKii, Zu DL103 MKii, Ortofon MC 20 MKii, Dynavector XX2 MKii, Rogue Audio Ares, Core power technologies balanced power conditioner, Akiko Corelli power conditioner with Akiko Audio HQ power cable, Nordost heimdall 2, Frey 2, interconnects, speaker and power cables, Focal Electra 1028 BE 2, Auralic Aries Femto, Black diamond racing cones, ingress audio level 1 roller blocks, JL Audio E110 with Auralic subdude, Primacoustics room treatments.
    Theater:
    Focal Aria 926,905,CC900, SVS PB ultra x2. Pioneer Elite SC85, Oppo BDP93, Panamax M5400PM, Minix neox6, Nordost Blue heaven LS power cables.

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  • marvda1
    marvda1 Posts: 4,873
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    DSkip wrote: »
    Mikey I hope that didn't come across as condescending. I just haven't heard another implementation of the Sabre sound as musical as the North Star DACs. In fact, it's almost a completely different animal.

    just wait to you hear the VERITA AK4490 32bit DAC chip set.
    Amplifiers: Norma IPA 140, MasterSound Compact 845, Ayre v6xe, Consonance Cyber 800
    Preamp: deHavilland Ultraverve 3
    Dac: Sonnet Morpheus 2, Musical Paradise mp-d2 mkIII
    Transport: Jay's Audio CDT2 mk2, Lumin U1 mini
    Speakers: Rosso Fiorentino Volterra II
    Speaker Cables: Organic Audio Organic Reference 2
    Interconnects: Argento Organic Reference 2, Argento Organic 2
    Power Cables: Argento Organic Reference, Synergistic Research Foundation 10 and 12 ga.
    Puritan PSM156
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  • marvda1
    marvda1 Posts: 4,873
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    the word was that this usher preamp is based off of an expensive japanese preamp.
    Amplifiers: Norma IPA 140, MasterSound Compact 845, Ayre v6xe, Consonance Cyber 800
    Preamp: deHavilland Ultraverve 3
    Dac: Sonnet Morpheus 2, Musical Paradise mp-d2 mkIII
    Transport: Jay's Audio CDT2 mk2, Lumin U1 mini
    Speakers: Rosso Fiorentino Volterra II
    Speaker Cables: Organic Audio Organic Reference 2
    Interconnects: Argento Organic Reference 2, Argento Organic 2
    Power Cables: Argento Organic Reference, Synergistic Research Foundation 10 and 12 ga.
    Puritan PSM156
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  • mikeyb128
    mikeyb128 Posts: 2,885
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    DSkip wrote: »
    Mikey I hope that didn't come across as condescending. I just haven't heard another implementation of the Sabre sound as musical as the North Star DACs. In fact, it's almost a completely different animal.

    Not all all skip. I spent 3 hours today listening to dacs. I'm not quite sold on the bryston yet. I listened to something today that really caught my ear. I will start that in another thread. Not meaning to thread carp here. But the product is an akm based chip and oh man is it good!

    8ururqq9mt4b.jpg




    2 channel:
    Bryston 4B3, Bryston BDA3, Cary SLP05, Shanling CDT1000SE with parts conneXion level 2 mods, Nottingham analogue ace space 294, soundsmith Carmen MKii, Zu DL103 MKii, Ortofon MC 20 MKii, Dynavector XX2 MKii, Rogue Audio Ares, Core power technologies balanced power conditioner, Akiko Corelli power conditioner with Akiko Audio HQ power cable, Nordost heimdall 2, Frey 2, interconnects, speaker and power cables, Focal Electra 1028 BE 2, Auralic Aries Femto, Black diamond racing cones, ingress audio level 1 roller blocks, JL Audio E110 with Auralic subdude, Primacoustics room treatments.
    Theater:
    Focal Aria 926,905,CC900, SVS PB ultra x2. Pioneer Elite SC85, Oppo BDP93, Panamax M5400PM, Minix neox6, Nordost Blue heaven LS power cables.

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  • txcoastal1
    txcoastal1 Posts: 13,132
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    Yep2 wrote: »
    My personal preference leans to the Burr Browns.
    1704.
    Imho, I like em better than the Sabres.

    Oldie but a goodie, was in the same boat. ESS hater myself.

    They are finally shaking off the bad rap. Their last few gens have really moved way up the ladder, surpassing browns, wolfsons, IMHO.

    Their competition now is the AKM's

    Now the biggest factors are implementations, noise filtering and such.

    2-channel: Modwright KWI-200 Integrated, Dynaudio C1-II Signatures
    Desktop rig: LSi7, Polk 110sub, Dayens Ampino amp, W4S DAC/pre, Sonos, JRiver
    Gear on standby: Melody 101 tube pre, Unison Research Simply Italy Integrated
    Gone to new homes: (Matt Polk's)Threshold Stasis SA12e monoblocks, Pass XA30.5 amp, Usher MD2 speakers, Dynaudio C4 platinum speakers, Modwright LS100 (voltz), Simaudio 780D DAC

    erat interfectorem cesar et **** dictatorem dicere a
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  • txcoastal1
    txcoastal1 Posts: 13,132
    edited April 2017
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    Yep2 wrote: »
    Tough pill to swallow comparing new dacs to old.

    I'm a DSD fan
    In particular natives, that have been remastered from master RTR's ;)

    Now we are thread cr@pp!ng

    @rednedtugent
    Nice purchase bro
    2-channel: Modwright KWI-200 Integrated, Dynaudio C1-II Signatures
    Desktop rig: LSi7, Polk 110sub, Dayens Ampino amp, W4S DAC/pre, Sonos, JRiver
    Gear on standby: Melody 101 tube pre, Unison Research Simply Italy Integrated
    Gone to new homes: (Matt Polk's)Threshold Stasis SA12e monoblocks, Pass XA30.5 amp, Usher MD2 speakers, Dynaudio C4 platinum speakers, Modwright LS100 (voltz), Simaudio 780D DAC

    erat interfectorem cesar et **** dictatorem dicere a
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  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User] Posts: 10,716
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    No this is good. I don't have much else to add this time.

    I bit more noise on vinyl, but I just turn it down. :p
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  • gudnoyez
    gudnoyez Posts: 8,066
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    What's up with the Vincent? I think we both have the same one.
    Home Theater
    Parasound Halo A 31 OnkyoTX-NR838 Sony XBR55X850B 55" 4K RtiA9 Fronts CsiA6 Center RtiA3 Rears FxiA6 Side Surrounds Dual Psw 111's Oppo 105D Signal Ultra Speaker Cables & IC's Signal Magic Power Cable Technics SL Q300 Panamax MR4300 Audioquest Chocolate HDMI Cables Audioquest Forest USB Cable

    2 Channel
    Adcom 555II Vincent SA-T1 Marantz SA 15S2 Denon DR-M11 Clearaudio Bluemotion SDA 2.3tl's (Z) edition MIT Terminator II Speaker Cables & IC's Adcom 545II Adcom Gtp-450 Marantz CD5004 Technics M245X SDA 2B's, SDA CRS+

    Stuff for the Head
    JD LABS C5 Headphone Amplifier, Sennheiser HD 598, Polk Audio Buckle, Polk Audio Hinge, Velodyne vPulse, Bose IE2, Sennheiser CX 200 Street II, Sennheiser MX 365

    Shower & Off the beaten path Rigs
    Polk Audio Boom Swimmer, Polk Audio Urchin B)
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  • txcoastal1
    txcoastal1 Posts: 13,132
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    That Usher pre...doesn't have a DAC :D:D:D

    Usher fan too :)
    2-channel: Modwright KWI-200 Integrated, Dynaudio C1-II Signatures
    Desktop rig: LSi7, Polk 110sub, Dayens Ampino amp, W4S DAC/pre, Sonos, JRiver
    Gear on standby: Melody 101 tube pre, Unison Research Simply Italy Integrated
    Gone to new homes: (Matt Polk's)Threshold Stasis SA12e monoblocks, Pass XA30.5 amp, Usher MD2 speakers, Dynaudio C4 platinum speakers, Modwright LS100 (voltz), Simaudio 780D DAC

    erat interfectorem cesar et **** dictatorem dicere a
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  • txcoastal1
    txcoastal1 Posts: 13,132
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    DSkip wrote: »
    Usher dealer. No DAC in that brother.

    You're late ;)
    2-channel: Modwright KWI-200 Integrated, Dynaudio C1-II Signatures
    Desktop rig: LSi7, Polk 110sub, Dayens Ampino amp, W4S DAC/pre, Sonos, JRiver
    Gear on standby: Melody 101 tube pre, Unison Research Simply Italy Integrated
    Gone to new homes: (Matt Polk's)Threshold Stasis SA12e monoblocks, Pass XA30.5 amp, Usher MD2 speakers, Dynaudio C4 platinum speakers, Modwright LS100 (voltz), Simaudio 780D DAC

    erat interfectorem cesar et **** dictatorem dicere a
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  • tonyb
    tonyb Posts: 32,906
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    If you like the Burr Browns, you'll really dig the AKM's.
    HT SYSTEM-
    Sony 850c 4k
    Pioneer elite vhx 21
    Sony 4k BRP
    SVS SB-2000
    Polk Sig. 20's
    Polk FX500 surrounds

    Cables-
    Acoustic zen Satori speaker cables
    Acoustic zen Matrix 2 IC's
    Wireworld eclipse 7 ic's
    Audio metallurgy ga-o digital cable

    Kitchen

    Sonos zp90
    Grant Fidelity tube dac
    B&k 1420
    lsi 9's
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  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User] Posts: 10,716
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    I think the DC transformer went.
    It was the only thing that didn't look right w/ flakes of stuff around it.
    9-pin DIN to the phono pre (as you know) which may be throwing me
    off as it had power to the LED. Now the question is did it just die or
    do damage down the circuit?
    gudnoyez wrote: »
    What's up with the Vincent? I think we both have the same one.
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  • erniejade
    erniejade Posts: 6,315
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    Nice preamp!!!' You don't see them too often for sale.
    Klipsch The Nines, Audioquest Thunderbird Interconnect, Innuos Zen MK3 W4S recovery, Revolution Audio Labs USB & Ethernet, Border Patrol SE-I, Audioquest Niagara 5000 & Thunder, Cullen Crossover II PC's.
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  • mikeyb128
    mikeyb128 Posts: 2,885
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    marvda1 wrote: »
    DSkip wrote: »
    Mikey I hope that didn't come across as condescending. I just haven't heard another implementation of the Sabre sound as musical as the North Star DACs. In fact, it's almost a completely different animal.

    just wait to you hear the VERITA AK4490 32bit DAC chip set.

    That's what this cembalo labs reference dac uses. It sounds wonderful!
    2 channel:
    Bryston 4B3, Bryston BDA3, Cary SLP05, Shanling CDT1000SE with parts conneXion level 2 mods, Nottingham analogue ace space 294, soundsmith Carmen MKii, Zu DL103 MKii, Ortofon MC 20 MKii, Dynavector XX2 MKii, Rogue Audio Ares, Core power technologies balanced power conditioner, Akiko Corelli power conditioner with Akiko Audio HQ power cable, Nordost heimdall 2, Frey 2, interconnects, speaker and power cables, Focal Electra 1028 BE 2, Auralic Aries Femto, Black diamond racing cones, ingress audio level 1 roller blocks, JL Audio E110 with Auralic subdude, Primacoustics room treatments.
    Theater:
    Focal Aria 926,905,CC900, SVS PB ultra x2. Pioneer Elite SC85, Oppo BDP93, Panamax M5400PM, Minix neox6, Nordost Blue heaven LS power cables.

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