Any curiosity to try the Mayer preamp again, considering that this is a completely different system, and happens to be an electron microscope?
Or do you feel you are pretty much done?
Todd's AG Trio G3 System -- it's about time
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Any curiosity to try the Mayer preamp again, considering that this is a completely different system, and happens to be an electron microscope?
Or do you feel you are pretty much done?
Interesting dilemma. One train of thought says sell what you are passionate about, which is obviously solid state in your case. Another one says, give the customers what they want, and a good number definitely love horns with SETs. So maybe something tonally rich and opposite of what you already have?
So any update on the tube journey?
Hey Caesar. The setup process took 3 or 4 weeks, listening and adjusting by ear during the week and then adding measurements over the weekends. Having had 2 recent back surgeries in an 11 month span, along with several other surgeries before and one after, I was not able to perform the "full court press" approach I have often done in the past. I couldn't even answer how many iterations since some of them were quite "macro" in nature (large moves) and many more were small, incremental moves to determine if there was a precise spot that would couple with the mains.
I wish I had Todd's immense capacity to fine tune the setup. I truly am in awe of the lengths to which he goes to perfectly dial in the setup. I have no doubts that the efforts would be repaid with better sound; it stops being fun for me at some point, foreshortened by some chronic pain and lesser mobility.
Not really, at least at this point. That said, my experience in this hobby has proven one thing and that is never say never. Given the objectively small differences that we audiophiles chase at times and the subjective nature of what matters most to us at any point in time, it is reasonable to assume that a very good line stage might alter some future perceived optimization function for me. Probably way too many words to describe the sometimes fickle nature we audiophiles often share.
pity none of you "Trio guys" use analogue sources..........
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Of course they do. The output of a DAC is analog. Otherwise you couldn't listen to music...
5 years ago i went through the same process; tried my MSB Select II directly into my darTZeel 468's bypassing my darTZeel preamp. it was very good, and you could make a case it was doing some things slightly better. but in the end i preferred the dynamics and authority of my dart pre. i think the dart preamp is similarly respected like the Thomas Mayer......not saying it's the same....but both are fine pieces.Not really, at least at this point. That said, my experience in this hobby has proven one thing and that is never say never. Given the objectively small differences that we audiophiles chase at times and the subjective nature of what matters most to us at any point in time, it is reasonable to assume that a very good line stage might alter some future perceived optimization function for me. Probably way too many words to describe the sometimes fickle nature we audiophiles often share.
in my case, with my huge commitment to analog sources, i would have had to use the MSB for analog input switching too, which it could do, but never got that far with it. but short of a preamp in the realm of the darTZeel, i could have really enjoyed going direct. the passive preamp in the Select II is really fine.
in the case of the Thomas Mayer preamp<->MSB direct-in difference......i think you do gain a remote volume control going direct. which is not nothing in the balance.
@Germanboxers
I have been through a similar process of going back and forth between active linestage and passive. In my case, it was between an Emotive Epifania tube linestage and Slagle EMIA AVC passive. For a long time, I preferred the very slightly better clarity and bass weight of the AVC despite the Emotive's slightly better "dynamics and authority" (Mike Lavigne's words but I hear the same things). However, after changing the output coupling caps in the Emotive, I now find the active linestage has the advantage. It still has the better dynamics and authority, but now the Emotive also has slightly better bass weight and detail.
In any event, the two have always sounded very similar, nearly identical at times, which I consider high praise for the Emotive. Note the repeated use of "slightly." There are so many things in an active linestage that affect sound quality that it's surprising to get a sound so similar to a high-quality autoformer.
I have been through a similar process of going back and forth between active linestage and passive. In my case, it was between an Emotive Epifania tube linestage and Slagle EMIA AVC passive. For a long time, I preferred the very slightly better clarity and bass weight of the AVC despite the Emotive's slightly better "dynamics and authority" (Mike Lavigne's words but I hear the same things). However, after changing the output coupling caps in the Emotive, I now find the active linestage has the advantage. It still has the better dynamics and authority, but now the Emotive also has slightly better bass weight and detail.
In any event, the two have always sounded very similar, nearly identical at times, which I consider high praise for the Emotive. Note the repeated use of "slightly." There are so many things in an active linestage that affect sound quality that it's surprising to get a sound so similar to a high-quality autoformer.
is that your best shot at being funny!
No, I am just being factual.
Trios and an analogue turntable here...
Of course I do know your point all too well. Hopefully you know mine.
Playing vinyl mastered from digital recordings -- at least to some extent, I assume.
for ultimate realism, I want to avoid any AD/DA conversion in the signal chain, but for dinner duty or party background digital is fine
and when demoing system, I ALWAYS start with digital and move to vinyl and finally set in the kill with tape
and when demoing system, I ALWAYS start with digital and move to vinyl and finally set in the kill with tape
With good gear, the tradeoff between going direct versus through an active line stage is relatively small. What you described as the differences between direct and through your darTZeel is similar to what I heard relative to the Mayer line stage. The gain in dynamics and authority was just barely perceptible, possibly due to the Duo Mezzo XD's 107db sensitivity. I assume it would be more so with the Trio's 109db sensitivity.
When I had the Mayer Silvers in the chain, I had to set the gain of the linestage to basically unity gain and then used the MSB remote for volume control. Not ideal for sound quality, but I can no longer do without a remote, even if it means turning in my audiophile membership card.
figured that was a part of it. me neither.With good gear, the tradeoff between going direct versus through an active line stage is relatively small. What you described as the differences between direct and through your darTZeel is similar to what I heard relative to the Mayer line stage. The gain in dynamics and authority was just barely perceptible, possibly due to the Duo Mezzo XD's 107db sensitivity. I assume it would be more so with the Trio's 109db sensitivity.
When I had the Mayer Silvers in the chain, I had to set the gain of the linestage to basically unity gain and then used the MSB remote for volume control. Not ideal for sound quality, but I can no longer do without a remote, even if it means turning in my audiophile membership card.
we are pursuing our own happiness and enjoyment.having a mute button within reach can be a big deal once in a while too.
I can no longer do without a remote
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Trio guys couldn't afford Trios if they used analogue sources!!!
Or more likely our OCD would lead to insanity.Trio guys couldn't afford Trios if they used analogue sources!!!
I realize I may have to turn in my audiophile membership card, but over the last 20 years I have tried to reduce the number of variables that need to be incessantly tweaked. I know how I was 30 years ago with my vinyl setup and a certain amount of madness was intermixed with moments of glorious satisfaction. I just can't (or don't want to) do that anymore.
There are turntables that can be set up once, not needing to be constantly tweaked, and left alone to be enjoyed.
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