I ran a Placette passive for many years, and it interfaced well with my Parasound HCA-1500. I never had any gain issues with any source. Passives are super "clean" but that trait can also make them a bit boring.
Oooooo, a debate? Is it the passive or is it the source?
Fun, fun....
Tom
In search of accurate reproduction of music. Real sound is my reference and while perfection may not be attainable? If I chase it, I might just catch excellence.
~ The best way to enjoy digital music reproduction is to never listen to good analogue reproduction ~
~ Not all things that can be measured can be heard and not all things heard can be measured ~
"Electronic music is human sound adapting to indulge technology, and for some, it feels like the signature sound of energy. New and abstract sounds over hypnotic rhythms can conjure vast soundscapes for escape, pleasure, and transcendence."
Just ordered a Decware CSP3 preamp. It has yet to be built and I probably have to wait three or four months before that process is completed. Trolling the Decware website has caused me to take interest in SET amps. This rabbit hole has no bottom.
Decware CSP3 Preamp, RCA 6DJ8, 2 X Rocket 6N1P-EV's, Cary SLA70B Signature V2 Amplifier: 2 X Mullard GZ32's, 2 X RCA/GE 5691's, 4 X Tung-Sol 6550's
Cambridge Audio 640C V2 CD Player & Dacmagic DAC
Rega Planar 3: Deep Groove Subplatter, P3 Motor
upgrade, Dynavector 10x5, JA Michell counterwieght, Cardas tonearm wiring and Mapleshade stand
Parks Audio Budgie Hybrid Phonostage with BEL 6922 tubes, Polk Audio LS70's
H.H. Scott 330D AM/FM Tuner with H.H. Scott 335 Multiplex adaptor.
Deckert certainly has a high opinion of himself and his wares.
Full disclosure, I started in SE amplifiers with his (then) cheap little "Zen" EL84/SV83 amp. It is really (really) low powered but it did (and still does) sound pretty good. Not really enough oompf for full-range use driving a pair of Klipsch Cornies... umm... Cornwalls, though.
Deckert's stuff sort of caught on. It's actually pretty decent stuff, but his hype grated on me pretty quickly, and most of their wares now are... umm... not inexpensive.
I (we, actually) built a pair of Bottlehead Paramour SE 2A3 monoblocks ("Paramours") when they first came out and have never looked back.
The "Zen" amp's in its shipping box in the basement.
Yea, they are a little enthusiastic over there, but after giving their preamp a good once over, (well, at least the best I can over the internet) I felt it carried itself on it's own merits and is the probably well worth the money I spent on it. Please bear in mind, I was about ready to drop more than twice as much as I spent on the CSP3 on a Cary SLP-98. But after deeming my degraded ears unworthy (after years of abuse, they're just plain shot) of the SLP's price tag, I came across the Decware and felt it fit the bill. FWIW, I think they offer a pretty good phono stage also but I just recently acquired a Parks Audio Budgie and performs quite well.
As far as amps go, yes, some time in the future, I'm probably going to try a SET type setup. I'm kind of thinking of some bridged Zen monos as Decware has various versions ranging from five to six watts. I agree the stereo versions are a little on the low powered side. I much rather have a watt or two more than just two.
Also Decware sells speakers and a few caught my interest. Albeit, I know nothing about them nor do I know anybody that has any experience with them. I, at least, met a couple people who have CSP2 preamps and each thought highly of their build quality and performance.
Now, I've known a few people who had 2A3 amps. One had a Sun stereo amp, one had a pair of Cary monos and another had a DIY stereo amp. I liked all three rigs. Two had their amp(s) powering Altecs and the other has his amp powering full range Lowthers in custom baffled enclosures. I liked the horn/big woofer setup of the Altecs slightly more than the Lowther setup. I could live with either though. The Lowther setup had a smaller footprint and space is a luxury in the basement that I, and my stereo, are exiled to. My rig has a WAF of zero. Another acquaintance has a pair of Klipsch LaScala's driven by a rebuilt/modded(?) Dynaco ST35. That's a nice sounding rig also. Now Decware doesn't make 2A3 amp but they do have a 25 wpc EL84 (maybe SV84) based amp. But then again, LaScalas are a pretty large speaker and space is a premium in my basement. But if I'm going to get SET amps, why not go with triode tubes rather than an amp that utilizes pentodes wired with a triode configuration.
So, at this point, I'm leaning toward a pair a 2a3 based monos (I see you have 2a3 based monos and I have those Bottleheads under consideration) and Lowther type speakers in a baffled enclosures. I'll probably mull over this for the next year or two before I pull the trigger. So I have a little time to think and do some research over it.
Decware CSP3 Preamp, RCA 6DJ8, 2 X Rocket 6N1P-EV's, Cary SLA70B Signature V2 Amplifier: 2 X Mullard GZ32's, 2 X RCA/GE 5691's, 4 X Tung-Sol 6550's
Cambridge Audio 640C V2 CD Player & Dacmagic DAC
Rega Planar 3: Deep Groove Subplatter, P3 Motor
upgrade, Dynavector 10x5, JA Michell counterwieght, Cardas tonearm wiring and Mapleshade stand
Parks Audio Budgie Hybrid Phonostage with BEL 6922 tubes, Polk Audio LS70's
H.H. Scott 330D AM/FM Tuner with H.H. Scott 335 Multiplex adaptor.
"A doctrine fostered by a delusional, illogical minority and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a t-u-r-d by the clean end."
He has had multiple subs AFAIK. It's not for the rig you are thinking of....
That one has no need for any subs at all.
Tom
In search of accurate reproduction of music. Real sound is my reference and while perfection may not be attainable? If I chase it, I might just catch excellence.
~ The best way to enjoy digital music reproduction is to never listen to good analogue reproduction ~
~ Not all things that can be measured can be heard and not all things heard can be measured ~
"A doctrine fostered by a delusional, illogical minority and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a t-u-r-d by the clean end."
Oh -- on topic -- Mrs. H's been birding in Minnesota and North Dakota this week. I spent some quality time cleaning and organizing the hifi room (in between myriad outdoor tasks and chores). It doesn't really look much different, but it feels better to me.
Oh -- on topic -- Mrs. H's been birding in Minnesota and North Dakota this week. I spent some quality time cleaning and organizing the hifi room (in between myriad outdoor tasks and chores). It doesn't really look much different, but it feels better to me.
Lucky guy. I wish my wife would go away once and a while, and take the boys with her! Sometimes I think life would be grand if I were a hermit. Not that I'd want them to disappear permanently or anything.
Oh -- on topic -- Mrs. H's been birding in Minnesota and North Dakota this week. I spent some quality time cleaning and organizing the hifi room (in between myriad outdoor tasks and chores). It doesn't really look much different, but it feels better to me.
Oh -- on topic -- Mrs. H's been birding in Minnesota and North Dakota this week. I spent some quality time cleaning and organizing the hifi room (in between myriad outdoor tasks and chores). It doesn't really look much different, but it feels better to me.
It's like having a clean car. Adds 10 hp!
I washed both cars today
I don't wash the truck. The dirt helps hold the body panels in place.
Comments
Just my experience.
Having maxed out the tri Vista dac, is all in the source! 😁
"No, that's silly talk. Dude, you can't possibly be this audio dumb so quit the act." - Doro
Fun, fun....
Tom
~ The best way to enjoy digital music reproduction is to never listen to good analogue reproduction ~
~ When the law ends, tyranny begins ~
Nowhere near Lanier Harry...
So.... I have been trying to like this preamp all week. I just haven't been happy with the imaging, not very wide and congested and bright treble....
I hooked up the ci audio back and immediately the imaging returned.
Sent an email to luminous to get their thoughts. Ayee
"No, that's silly talk. Dude, you can't possibly be this audio dumb so quit the act." - Doro
Cambridge Audio 640C V2 CD Player & Dacmagic DAC
Rega Planar 3: Deep Groove Subplatter, P3 Motor
upgrade, Dynavector 10x5, JA Michell counterwieght, Cardas tonearm wiring and Mapleshade stand
Parks Audio Budgie Hybrid Phonostage with BEL 6922 tubes, Polk Audio LS70's
H.H. Scott 330D AM/FM Tuner with H.H. Scott 335 Multiplex adaptor.
Full disclosure, I started in SE amplifiers with his (then) cheap little "Zen" EL84/SV83 amp. It is really (really) low powered but it did (and still does) sound pretty good. Not really enough oompf for full-range use driving a pair of Klipsch Cornies... umm... Cornwalls, though.
Deckert's stuff sort of caught on. It's actually pretty decent stuff, but his hype grated on me pretty quickly, and most of their wares now are... umm... not inexpensive.
I (we, actually) built a pair of Bottlehead Paramour SE 2A3 monoblocks ("Paramours") when they first came out and have never looked back.
The "Zen" amp's in its shipping box in the basement.
As far as amps go, yes, some time in the future, I'm probably going to try a SET type setup. I'm kind of thinking of some bridged Zen monos as Decware has various versions ranging from five to six watts. I agree the stereo versions are a little on the low powered side. I much rather have a watt or two more than just two.
Also Decware sells speakers and a few caught my interest. Albeit, I know nothing about them nor do I know anybody that has any experience with them. I, at least, met a couple people who have CSP2 preamps and each thought highly of their build quality and performance.
Now, I've known a few people who had 2A3 amps. One had a Sun stereo amp, one had a pair of Cary monos and another had a DIY stereo amp. I liked all three rigs. Two had their amp(s) powering Altecs and the other has his amp powering full range Lowthers in custom baffled enclosures. I liked the horn/big woofer setup of the Altecs slightly more than the Lowther setup. I could live with either though. The Lowther setup had a smaller footprint and space is a luxury in the basement that I, and my stereo, are exiled to. My rig has a WAF of zero. Another acquaintance has a pair of Klipsch LaScala's driven by a rebuilt/modded(?) Dynaco ST35. That's a nice sounding rig also. Now Decware doesn't make 2A3 amp but they do have a 25 wpc EL84 (maybe SV84) based amp. But then again, LaScalas are a pretty large speaker and space is a premium in my basement. But if I'm going to get SET amps, why not go with triode tubes rather than an amp that utilizes pentodes wired with a triode configuration.
So, at this point, I'm leaning toward a pair a 2a3 based monos (I see you have 2a3 based monos and I have those Bottleheads under consideration) and Lowther type speakers in a baffled enclosures. I'll probably mull over this for the next year or two before I pull the trigger. So I have a little time to think and do some research over it.
Cambridge Audio 640C V2 CD Player & Dacmagic DAC
Rega Planar 3: Deep Groove Subplatter, P3 Motor
upgrade, Dynavector 10x5, JA Michell counterwieght, Cardas tonearm wiring and Mapleshade stand
Parks Audio Budgie Hybrid Phonostage with BEL 6922 tubes, Polk Audio LS70's
H.H. Scott 330D AM/FM Tuner with H.H. Scott 335 Multiplex adaptor.
Saying that it's "too hard" to pursue your dreams is no different than admitting to yourself that you are too lazy to achieve them.
“If it moves, tax it. If it keeps moving, regulate it. And if it stops moving, subsidize it.”
"A doctrine fostered by a delusional, illogical minority and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a t-u-r-d by the clean end."
President of Club Polk
Certainly looks the part
Saying that it's "too hard" to pursue your dreams is no different than admitting to yourself that you are too lazy to achieve them.
“If it moves, tax it. If it keeps moving, regulate it. And if it stops moving, subsidize it.”
That one has no need for any subs at all.
Tom
~ The best way to enjoy digital music reproduction is to never listen to good analogue reproduction ~
~ When the law ends, tyranny begins ~
.listening to Marvin Gaye Lets Get It On. Right on! 😎
*****************************
Naaw, he got a green subwoofer, I am sure. Runs off of sunlight and stores CO2 with every thump.
"A doctrine fostered by a delusional, illogical minority and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a t-u-r-d by the clean end."
President of Club Polk
Saying that it's "too hard" to pursue your dreams is no different than admitting to yourself that you are too lazy to achieve them.
“If it moves, tax it. If it keeps moving, regulate it. And if it stops moving, subsidize it.”
Lucky guy. I wish my wife would go away once and a while, and take the boys with her! Sometimes I think life would be grand if I were a hermit. Not that I'd want them to disappear permanently or anything.
It's like having a clean car. Adds 10 hp!
I washed both cars today
I don't wash the truck. The dirt helps hold the body panels in place.