Adcom GFP-750 or Belles 21A?

heiney9

On one hand you have RT1 who despises anything Adcom and thinks it should be a boat anchor but then you search around and find press and owners who think just the opposite, in fact many think it's among the better sounding pre's regardless of price.

Certainly all these people can't be in bed together to stroke Adcom's ego and line their pockets with advertising dollars as is usually the arguement for positive spin in a review.

H9

heiney9

Ricardo wrote: »

Some people just don't quit.

Well I certainly didn't start it. You know the whole "don't poke the bear"

H9

reeltrouble1

What is really great is no matter what you float Adcom has something you can use to help your hold on the bottom.

RT1

megasat16

reeltrouble1 wrote: »

What is really great is no matter what you float Adcom has something you can use to help your hold on the bottom.

RT1

I thought you use balls to hold you down on the bottom?

Anyway, I have the biggest and baddest and heaviest Adcom I use for reaching to higher cabinet shelves. Adcom simply is Awesome! J/K there H9

tcrossma

Ok, so I've had it in my head that I need a preamp with HT bypass to integrate my HT with my 2-channel system. And at one point in time I *know* I did because it was the only good way to have my 5.1 system in the same room but as separate as possible with my 2-channel system.

But I've long since removed all speakers except the fronts, so I'm firmly in the 2.0 camp for my HT functions (those being XBox, DVD and TV) and liking every minute of it from my semi-HT point of view.

So as I was thinking about which new preamp to try, the thought occurred to me, "do I even need HT bypass anymore?"

The main original reason was to prevent the preamp from affecting the volume when in bypass mode so that the fronts would remain calibrated with the center and rears. But now that I'm only running 2 speakers, that need is gone.

A second reason was so that the HT signal would only go through one set of volume circuitry that could adversely affect the sound. That could still be an issue, but I've come to the conclusion that I don't really care all that much if the sound quality for my HT gets degraded a little bit as it's plenty good for my needs, just so long as my 2-channel sound quality remains as high as possible.

So do I have this correct, that I can just get any preamp and hook up my receiver to the AUX or other line input and be good to go? I guess I would either keep my receiver set at a preset volume and control everything from the pre-amp? Or possibly somehow set or utilize some sort of fixed volume output from my receiver?

If I really can do without the need for an HT bypass it will open a lot of doors that I previously thought were closed...

Thanks.

heiney9

tcrossma wrote: »

So do I have this correct, that I can just get any preamp and hook up my receiver to the AUX or other line input and be good to go? I guess I would either keep my receiver set at a preset volume and control everything from the pre-amp? Or possibly somehow set or utilize some sort of fixed volume output from my receiver?



Thanks.

Nope, because the 2 channel pre only outputs 2 channels, unless the intent is to just run the fronts off the main rig and then the surround, LFE, etc off the receiver. IMO, that's a half assed way of doing it. The HT bypass is the correct and most appealing way to integrate both properly. W/O HT bypass you'd need to set the volume independently on both the pre amp and receiver and try to level match everytime you wanted to use the HT.

H9

FTGV

tcrossma wrote: »

So do I have this correct, that I can just get any preamp and hook up my receiver to the AUX or other line input and be good to go? I guess I would either keep my receiver set at a preset volume and control everything from the pre-amp? Or possibly somehow set or utilize some sort of fixed volume output from my receiver?

If I really can do without the need for an HT bypass it will open a lot of doors that I previously thought were closed...

Thanks.

Yes,in fact I have mine configured like this.The front left and right outputs from my processor are in one of the aux inputs on my pre.Then when I'm using the HT I set the preamp's gain to a pre selected level and control the volume with the processor.Works like a charm.

heiney9

FTGV wrote: »

Yes,in fact I have mine configured like this.The front left and right outputs from my processor are in one of the aux inputs on my pre.Then when I when I'm using the HT I set the preamp's gain to a preselected level and control the volume with the processor.Works like a charm.

Well there you go. Someone is doing it. I don't do the whole HT thing so I was just speaking from a theoretical POV.

tcrossma

heiney9 wrote: »

Nope, because the 2 channel pre only outputs 2 channels, unless the intent is to just run the fronts off the main rig and then the surround, LFE, etc off the receiver. IMO, that's a half assed way of doing it. The HT bypass is the correct and most appealing way to integrate both properly. W/O HT bypass you'd need to set the volume independently on both the pre amp and receiver and try to level match everytime you wanted to use the HT.

H9

But I've long since removed the surrounds and LFE and I'm just running 2 fronts. So while I still need to integrate a receiver due to having a TV, cable, and XBox in the room, I no longer need to worry about volume matching between channels.

FTGV

Only the front left and right are routed through the pre,the processor takes care of the surround and LFE.Since the pre is a straight wire with gain type of thing(basically a miniature Aleph 30) I don't detected any degradation of movie soundtracks.

tcrossma

FTGV wrote: »

Yes,in fact I have mine configured like this.The front left and right outputs from my processor are in one of the aux inputs on my pre.Then when I'm using the HT I set the preamp's gain to a pre selected level and control the volume with the processor.Works like a charm.

Ok, excellent. Have you looked into utilizing any sort of fixed-output from your processor? That would make it easier since I'd not have to be dealing with 2 volume controls, but I'm thinking the only fixed-outputs on my receiver are for Zone2 or Zone3. I'm not sure that would necessarily be a bad thing though...

FTGV

My pre amp has a stepped attenuator so is not remote controlable .Therefore for convenience I just leave it at one setting and use the processors remote for volume adjustment when viewing TV or Movies.

tcrossma

FTGV wrote: »

My pre amp has a stepped attenuator so is not remote controlable .Therefore for convenience I just leave it at one setting and use the processors remote for volume adjustment when viewing TV or Movies.

Ah, ok. Thanks.

heiney9

tcrossma wrote: »

But I've long since removed the surrounds and LFE and I'm just running 2 fronts. So while I still need to integrate a receiver due to having a TV, cable, and XBox in the room, I no longer need to worry about volume matching between channels.

Ok, that was lost in translation. I use my HT bypass to run a tube pre-amp. This way I can run solid state, tubes or passive. It gives me the most flexibility because I don't always have the time or want the wear and tear on the tubes. Sometimes I might have a short listening session or want to watch a movie or just have background music going. Then I just use the 750, but when I have a longer listening session or a serious listening session I fire up the tubes.

I works incredibly well and sound simply fantastic plus I have choices.

H9

steveinaz

tcrossma wrote: »

But I've long since removed the surrounds and LFE and I'm just running 2 fronts. So while I still need to integrate a receiver due to having a TV, cable, and XBox in the room, I no longer need to worry about volume matching between channels.

Sounds like to me what you need is a multiple input DAC---If you're wanting to maximize your 2-channel experience, but need some flexibility. I'm I understanding you right---that you need the reciever so it can handle the inputs of your other sources? Even a digital switch would be a better solution than "stacking" volume knobs, no?

gimpod

What was this thread about

Toolfan66

I don't remember now, But I thought BAT's lived in a Bat Cave not a Rabbit Hole..;)

steveinaz

Tcrossma, FWIW I also run a 2-channel/HT setup; with the emphasis on the music side. I have my BluRay and CD transport connected via coax, and my DirecTV connected via Toslink. My video sources are connected straight to my HDTV via HDMI. This setup totally isolates video from audio, and has the bonus of giving me excellent video quality as I'm not running thru a bunch of components.

tcrossma

steveinaz wrote: »

Tcrossma, FWIW I also run a 2-channel/HT setup; with the emphasis on the music side. I have my BluRay and CD transport connected via coax, and my DirecTV connected via Toslink. My video sources are connected straight to my HDTV via HDMI. This setup totally isolates video from audio, and has the bonus of giving me excellent video quality as I'm not running thru a bunch of components.

Yeah, I probably could do with a nice DAC and ditch the receiver since my remote could handle the input switching for video easily enough. I'll probably stick with the receiver though, as it does a good-enough job on audio and video for me on the HT side of things, and it's currently in my possession.

But thanks for all the info guys, and it sure does look as if I can do without a preamp with HT bypass and not lose out on anything.

reeltrouble1

The only way to do it and have any chance of success is with the HT bypass don't get tricked so as you see H9 and I agree..............all that other stuff is just a work around.

Belles Rules

I did the byass thing for years if you have to run them together you do. But you can't beat seperate rigs.

RT1

FTGV

reeltrouble1 wrote: »

.............all that other stuff is just a work around.

As I said with a good transparent pre it works like a charm.;)

george daniel

+1 on the Belles,, go ahead and get one,,with a black faceplate,,if for some reason it does not work out,,I'll buy it from you.

This one

http://www.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?preatube&1287173879&/Belles-20A-Stereo-Tube-Preamp

reeltrouble1

GD has heard the Reel Time Theatre I remember he had quite a startle on a fast paced scene. HT is fun and a family thing for me. No doubt two channel is my obsession as it is Brock's so we start with common ground and this is two-channeel forum no surround sayings supported. Not even tube surround.

RT1

george daniel

reeltrouble1 wrote: »

GD has heard the Reel Time Theatre I remember he had quite a startle on a fast paced scene. HT is fun and a family thing for me. No doubt two channel is my obsession as it is Brock's so we start with common ground and this is two-channeel forum no surround sayings supported. Not even tube surround.

RT1

he,he,, jumped right out of the chair/recliner i did.I will never forget that.:)

Ricardo

George, I'm picking up that 20a as a "back-up". I need you to give me all the insider secrets

george daniel

sure,,, if you are serious.:)

Ricardo

Oh, I am serious. You turned me into Belles, remember? And I am hearing you talk good things about the 20a, so I'm biting.

george daniel

Ricardo wrote: »

Oh, I am serious. You turned me into Belles, remember? And I am hearing you talk good things about the 20a, so I'm biting.

Oh yeah--the 350,,, another one of my"why did I sell that" moments.I'll tell you all I know about the mysterious and somewhat rare 20A,,, since I purchased mine,,I seen only 3 others for sale in two years.You'll be surprised with it,,it's different than the 21a.Good luck-keep us posted.



LOL-- I just re-read your post--I turned you "into Belles",,, thanks,,I needed that--going under the K-nife in the am--and yes, we got tubes for her too.

reeltrouble1

are you going to use PayPal get it?????

so is tcross getting a DAC and Ricardo getting a pre.......damm rabbit hole, you just never know.

RT1

megasat16

Hey big guy there,

Who said the OP is getting a DAC? You got to stop paddling for Tubey things. They sucks, I know (exception may be for AR Ref series).

Your making everyone confused here!

Now, if you want to talk gears, send me PM. I got something to drive your sound labs 1-4 ohms all day long with smooth luster ball buster. Just make sure you got enough coins in your piggy bank.