B&K Ref 50 analog bypass
gmcman
Posts: 1,806
I've had this pre for over a year or so, and my understanding is that in "Direct" mode that it will pass the analog signal through without any tone controls and only volume. This is how I've been listening to it and overall it sounds real good.
However after some research and correct me if I'm wrong, but "Direct" mode does bypass all tone controls, but based on how this preamp can configure any analog input to any output, (this may not be the sole reason) but in "Direct" mode, it will still convert the analog signal to digital, then back to analog.
Using the DVD Audio inputs though WILL bypass all unnecessary circuitry and remains analog throughout. This is how I'm listening to it now and I will give it more time but so far I hear more smoothness in the sound, could be placebo but I think it sounds better.
Maybe I didn't hear it before but after the MIT switch the details seem to be more apparent.
However after some research and correct me if I'm wrong, but "Direct" mode does bypass all tone controls, but based on how this preamp can configure any analog input to any output, (this may not be the sole reason) but in "Direct" mode, it will still convert the analog signal to digital, then back to analog.
Using the DVD Audio inputs though WILL bypass all unnecessary circuitry and remains analog throughout. This is how I'm listening to it now and I will give it more time but so far I hear more smoothness in the sound, could be placebo but I think it sounds better.
Maybe I didn't hear it before but after the MIT switch the details seem to be more apparent.
Comments
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Ref 50 is a cool unit, I have one chilling out.
Im using the Ref 5 S2 because its all analog. I really like the the pre out selections too.
its got a highpass, full range, and mono (L+R) out.
B&W CM9Classé Sigma -
I want to believe the S1 and S2 are setup the same in regards to the inputs and output configurations, although the S2 has more notch filters and some tweaks for addressing the noise/whine on some of the S1 units....but don't hold me to that.
The one thing I'm not clear on is, does the Ref 50 use A>D, D>A on the 5.1 inputs or the other analog inputs even when using Direct mode. I would speculate the Direct mode is just that, only volume control but I have read so many threads on this I still don't have a definitive answer.
One source stated 5.1 on stereo was analog bypass but that's only in "Stereo 2" but also shows surround so that tells me there should processing.
