XLR/RCA dilemma


With 5-series Ayre components, the idea of running balanced from disc player through preamp to amp is appealing, but it doesn't provide for bass management.  At the cost of interrupting that balanced link, I can add a bass manager that high-passes to a pair of KEF LS50s, a move claimed to improve their sound.  Is that likely to be a worthwhile tradeoff?

db

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Showing 11 responses by dbphd

Thanks for the advice, Bob.  I have a Velodyne SMS-1 and I have the Jensen transformers for going through a KEF 107/2 KUBE that are sitting unused.  It makes a kluge to do that.  I'll see if I might find a used Bryston or or JL Audio unit.  I use a Bryston SP3 in my main setup.

yakbob, I'm a bit over a week from successful spinal surgery, so my efforts are limited to planning for a while.

db
Given my favorable experience with my Bryston SP3, I think I've found a 10B for about a $K that I'll add to my setup.  Bob, what crossover do you recommend for the LS50s?

db
I had two or three days of discomfort after the surgery, but no discomfort since.  Residual challenge has been tapering from the opiate, Narco, but I'm in the second week of a four week plan and it seems to be going well.

I'm conceptually committed to using balanced connections for the Ayre setup.  Charles Hanson seems to place considerable value in doing so.

db

I just bought a used Bryston 10B with XLR.  My only complaint with the LS50s has been what seems a bit of bass boom that I didn't notice before I installed the preamp and went full range to them.

db

Bob,

I think it's a Bryston 10B.  I paid $1K for it.  The interaction with the seller has been very nice.  Got a note from Charles Hansen telling me he prefers to avoid electronic processing of signals above 100 Hz.  I'll try the crossover at 100 Hz.  

db
stringreen & small, I have tried to consult the Ayre community, and I realize the strong feelings about staying balanced all the way, just didn't know it had to be Ayre balanced.  The problem is with what I hear below 100 Hz using the LS50s.  I'd like to remove those frequencies from their duty.  And to do that seems to require intervention between the preamp and amp.

The LS50s are racing reds, and my wife is adamant about not replacing them with Reference 1s -- my solution.  She loves their appearance.

db
Following the suggestion of Charles Hansen to go around the Ayre link and integrate the sub separately, I could fully bung the LS50s and use the unbalanced outputs from the preamp to the bass manager that would low-pass at 100 Hz to the subs.  I inserted the outer bungs in the LS50s a few days ago and that helped.  Next step would be including the inner bungs.

I tend to play music at low to moderate levels, and I favor chamber music, especially baroque and jazz. 

db
sfall,

I've pretty much decided to follow Charles Hansen's recommendation to stay out of the Ayre balanced link.  I'll fully bung the LS50s, and use the Bryston 10B only to send 100 Hz and below to the subs.


Bob,

What effect do the full bungs have on have on LF distortion?  Presumably it adds back pressure to the diaphragm.

I appreciate all the help I'm receiving.

db
Bob, your point about connecting the RCA outputs from the preamp directly to the subs and using their crossovers is well taken.  They're Velodyne HGS-10s that I've had for years and always used with an SMS-1 that does room correction, so I hadn't thought about using the internal crossover.  OTOH, the unused SMS-1 is sitting in the cabinet and entirely adequate for providing below 100 Hz to the subs.  I'll see if I find a use for the 10B or I try to sell it.

db


sfall, you've given me a lot to think about, and I thank you for it.

Not sure I buy the speed issue with the sub.  My post doc work was in binaural processing.  Wavelengths at 100 Hz are long, and detection of phase is generally a complex issue and I haven't followed the psychoacoustic literature for decades.  But I think I understand your point about using speaker leads to subs, if you have to have subs.  I haven't addressed the issue of subs for a couple of decades.

I don't use subs for music in my other setup comprised of a Parasound JC 3 phono stage, JC 2 preamp, and JC 1 monoblocks that drive a pair of KEF Reference 107/2s, but the 107/2s extend to 20 Hz nicely.  I like the sound of the LS50s, but I don't love it like I do that of the 107/2s.

A friend who does setup for manufactures at shows tells me he uses a Beveridge RM-3, high-passing to ESL 57s, low-passing at 100 Hz to woofers.  If I choose to go that way, he can help.

db 


I'm on the second week of taper from the opiate, Norco follow spinal surgery a couple of weeks ago.

Would a pair of JL Audio E110s be a substantial step up form the Velodyne HGS-10s I've had for years?  I see they can accept speaker lead input.

db