Outstanding! Thanks Paul.
Home Theater Bypass?
That can be assigned to any one of the inputs.
Great. Don’t know why that’s not more common. Some manufacturers are afraid of the feature: might blow up a speaker I guess. It’s an essential feature for me.
When switching between the various input sources on the new pre-amp, is the last level for the newly selected input recalled, or does it use a global level setting on all inputs?
amsco15 said Don't know why that's not more common.Because the vast majority of high end audio systems are two channel and not asked to multi-task with home theater.
There may additionally be a perception that its inclusion indicates you are less serious, like multiple juice box holders in a sports car.
brodricj said When switching between the various input sources on the new pre-amp, is the last level for the newly selected input recalled, or does it use a global level setting on all inputs?Because the volume control "smarts" can be tuned the way we wish, we can certainly do that and probably should.
Definitely a good idea.
Yes. I had a preamp that had programmable default input levels. It was very nice to have the phono input have a difference default level from SACD, etc. It is trivial to check the volume before switching, but if it is easy to implement it is a nice feature.
Plus if you have a HT bypass (typically set to 0dB) you do not want to blow your speakers when changing inputs. Pass Labs HT bypass sets the volume at 0dB (75 on the digital volume knob) and wont let you change inputs until you turn off the HT bypass, which changes the volume down to zero.
And also a 12V trigger, please.
Can the new preamp be controlled over IP (or RS232)?
Frode said And also a 12V trigger, please.Can the new preamp be controlled over IP (or RS232)?
The BHK amp has a 12V trigger, and I use my preamp’s 12V trigger to turn everything else on, so that would make sense for the preamp to have a trigger out as well as a trigger in.
Interesting thought on the RS232. I gave up on any fancy control (after my head was bruised so badly from my wife whacking me for the couch-full of remotes and the flowchart needed to get things to play) and bought a Harmony universal remote and took the time to program it. (It takes a while to get everything right) I mounted the IR hub above my shoulder so it had a good view to everything being controlled. The RF remote can select up to 6 ‘activities’ (Watch TV, Watch DVD, Listen to CD, listen to Bridge) and all I have to do is hit one button and everything comes on and all inputs are selected to the proper channels for the desired ‘activity.’ It’s actually as simple as Sprout at this point–just turn on, let the system warm up and put in the CD/DVD or pick the TV channel to watch.
Of course, I may not have answered your question, but at least it’s an alternative.
–SSW
Yeah.
The trouble with IR is that it doesn’t have feedback (e.g. actual volume) and it easily gets out of sync if the preset conditions are not as expected. (e.g. turning equipment off instead of on, upsetting everything). I also find IR cumbersome on time-critical commands. The sequences for a preamp however are not too complex.
Paul McGowan saidbrodricj said When switching between the various input sources on the new pre-amp, is the last level for the newly selected input recalled, or does it use a global level setting on all inputs?Because the volume control “smarts” can be tuned the way we wish, we can certainly do that and probably should.
With “smart” volume control working in this way you don’t need a HT bypass switch on the pre-amp. You just set the level of the input assigned for HT at 0dB pass-through; whenever you select that input that level is always invoked automatically (or whatever level you care to set that particular input at). This is the way the Halcro dm8 and dm10 pre-amps are designed.
Frode said And also a 12V trigger, please.Can the new preamp be controlled over IP (or RS232)?
No, it will not have an RS232 input. 2 channel specific.
Frode said The trouble with IR is that it doesn't have feedback (e.g. actual volume) and it easily gets out of sync if the preset conditions are not as expected. (e.g. turning equipment off instead of on, upsetting everything). I also find IR cumbersome on time-critical commands. The sequences for a preamp however are not too complex.Yup, all true, however, the alternative is to fumble with the 5 remotes and keep the requisite knowledge of which one to use and when. Drove my wife nuts. I had bruises on my head. So at least the IR hub is an acceptable intermediate solution.
I was, unfortunately, unable to convince Paul to make a combined digital/analog preamp that could control all devices from one central location, either digitally or traditionally. Sort of like a Sprout on steroids. And adaptable for any future digital technology. I think he liked the idea, but was unsure how well it would be received (i.e., not sell well). And that’s the danger of introducing new things. Personally I think it would revolutionize high end audio like what the PC did for computers, but Paul has final say-so on where his R&D dollars are spent. If it’s too risky, it’s not worth the expense. So I understand.
But the IR hub works fine in the meantime. Yes, there have been a scant few times when things got out of synch, but those are very rare. The hardest part is setting up the IR hub at the start. But once done, it’s a breeze to use.
–SSW
Fine.
I use an RS232 to IP bridge and construct my own iPad dashboard for some of my gear. Works fine with me, anyway.
Frode: Very nice! Perhaps in a few years these will be more popular and Paul can make one.
–SSW
Would love having two sets of balanced outputs …
I take for granted that the Pre out and Line out can be used simultanously.