The Official Salk Sound Owner's And Discussion Thread - Page 262

That switching preamp is awwwwwwwwesome, but it's going to sell for $2000+, so...

Regarding amps, just sit and listen to one for hours and hours; then switch to the next and do the same. If you believe in break-in, let it do so. If you hear differences - great. If not - great. The only thing that matters is that you like the new amp and that it is solidly built/designed. More power is never a bad thing, but if you don't think there's a difference then you can return it and save yourself a chunk of change.

I'll say this, and you guys can flame me if you want to: I don't purchase amps because I am looking to tweak the sound. I purchase one or the other because I want more headroom during dynamic music/movie passages or during transient peaks. In the next year I plan to upgrade my current amp to something more powerful, and I don't expect to gain an increase in sound. In my opinion the preamp and DAC make the biggest difference in sound (after the speakers and room, of course). To each their own, though.

Specs and sound, but it's hard to find places that sell amps and allow a trial period (such as Audio Advisor). For things like amps, DACs and preamps I usually purchase used and listen to it for a while in my system. If I don't like what I hear I can usually sell it for just about what I paid for it a month or two later. I could always ask the local dealers for a weekend audition, but they seem to be less willing to do so these days. Plus I'd rather not pay full price (I prefer used). The best way to listen to something like that is in your own system, so that's just the route I take.

I have done the whole blind testing thing before, even to go as far as attempting the double blind thing. Concerning the latter, it was extremely hard and I was rather new at the whole audio thing, so I got told by numerous people I did it all wrong (that happens every time we have a GTG, actually); you just can't please everyone. Due to that I don't bother listening in that fashion any longer. Well, I shouldn't say that: my wife and I perform little experiments (I make her help me ), and sometimes I have her swap components and not tell me which is which. But beyond that I don't bother anymore, mainly because it's hard to find immediate differences when swapping so quickly. I find that acoustic memory is short, so I would rather listen to a component for days, then swap in another and do the same. By the end of my week or two long listening sessions I am always confident enough to chose a winner, or to say "that's not worth the cost increase." Now if I was holding a GTG and posting the results publicly...well, then I'd have to take the scientific route and go DBT. I will never do that again, however.

My current amp (Parasound A23) hasn't failed me in the slightest; the exact opposite actually. I am just a sucker for more power, and the amp I want to upgrade to is the bigger brother of what I have now (Parasound A21), and offers double the power. You can never have enough power! So when I am ready I'll sell the A23 and pick up an A21. Then I will likely never purchase another amp again.

You're not bias, and I'd be willing to bet measurements of your room show an improved bass response. That's the beauty of multiple subs - natural in-room smoothness, almost like applying EQ to fill in the nulls and pull down the peaks.

Well, here's the thing: I am anti-EQ above the Schroeder Frequency (200-300 Hz). Ive' studied Floyd Toole and Sean Olive's research pretty intensely, and I agree that EQ below the Schroeder Frequency is the most important, while the frequencies above it can be taken care of with room treatments and various other non-EQ tweaks. I've never had good results with Audyssey, though I admit I haven't tried the new XT32. Regardless, I prefer to not EQ above that frequency, but to each their own and YMMV. Due to this, I have no idea which high end preamps include Audyssey.

I hear that. I used to tout it as well, but after having tried it myself, and after having run single blinded tests I realized why people never listened to me: it's simply a royal pain in the butt and can take the fun out of it for some.


And that's why I haven't upgraded yet. I have to sell the wifey on the idea too, so there's also that...

Have you listened without Audyssey yet?

That's great news- I am happy to hear you're enjoying them.

So how about some pics?

Good times ahead! I'm looking forward to your impressions and pics.