Comparing GC's

[yuval]

What comparisons have you made with your GCs with what equipment? And what where the results?

[Nuuk]

In short, bufferered GC's sound better than non-buffered (if you dont use an active preamp).

The differences between different configurations are manily just that, 'differences'.

The only way to 'know' these things is to hear them for yourself.

[yuval]

I guess I wasn't clear enough ... I ment GC's vs. commircial stuff.

[peranders]

Originally posted by Nuuk
In short, bufferered GC's sound better than non-buffered (if you dont use an active preamp).

Purely theoretically I think it is better if you can consider the GC as high input impedance device, regardless of configuration. Many people attach pots to the GC's and this will never get an "isolated" behavoir of the LM3875. I think you can get out the highest performance if the LM3875 or LM3886 is driven by a low impedance source (=buffer). This is usually the case for most amps.

Just speaking for myself, noone of my GC's has been configured without a buffer and both inverting and non-inverting versions have got good reviews. The problem is that none of these persons have compared between non-inverting and inveriting mode.

[Vikash]

Hi PA,

In simple terms, what is there a difference between using high and low impedence inputs? Any links, or quick explanations to the basics of buffering? Next stop the dungeon...

[Nuuk]

I guess I wasn't clear enough ... I ment GC's vs. commircial stuff.

Well, my only experience was hearing two GC monoblocks replace some very expensive power amps in a friends system costing the in the region of 500UKP. The GC's were significantly better than the commercial amps that cost over 1000UKP.

But what are you actually asking?

[carlosfm]

Yesterday I had a visit of a friend.
He listened to my new regulated-PSU-buffered-inverted-LM3886 GC small amp and...

The man has a pair of (crap) Kef Q7 speakers, with active crossovers and 3 big amps (yes, tri-amp! Two Denon 2000s and a Nad C270).
He left my house talking alone.
He was humilliated by the size of my amp.
And BTW he told me he never heard a sound like that.

[carlmart]

Originally posted by carlosfm

The man has a pair of (crap) Kef Q7 speakers, with active crossovers and 3 big amps (yes, tri-amp! Two Denon 2000s and a Nad C270).

Well, he should start by improving his KEFs or go for better speakers. Those amps should do the job with good drivers.

Most amps, properly upgraded with better parts, also sound a lot better than unmodified ones. We are following building criteria with the GCs that many amps don't, but if you cure that some will bloom.


Carlos

[carlosfm]

Originally posted by carlmart

Most amps, properly upgraded with better parts, also sound a lot better than unmodified ones. We are following building criteria with the GCs that many amps don't, but if you cure that some will bloom.
Carlos

Useless.
Some amps can be tweaked and tweaked but don't get to this level of performance.
You can always take everything out and make a new amp in a nice box.
I've showed to some people that music is not only bass, midband and treble.

BTW the Denon 2000's preamp (transistors) is miserable.
I transformed one of his Denons and it was a huge jump in quality.
Bypassed the transistors.
Passive pre.
He has active crossovers for those speakers.
I've never heard such a bad tweeter on a "hi-fi" product IMHO.

I would never change my GC for any of his amps, I had one of the Denons at my home and no way jose.
The Nad is not better as a power amp than the Denons.
BTW the Denons look impressive inside, I have pics.
But what about the harmonics, the reverberation, the room atmosphere, the soundstage, the immediacy of the instruments, the fast (oh so fast!), the dynamics and the REAL sound of my regulated GC?
It's like the real thing.
Other amps are bass, midband and treble.

[carlosfm]

The trafos say "Denon Super Audio".
This thing is like a Sony ES inside and out, built like a tank.
But it's just hi-fi.