Zen Balanced Line Stage Balanced vs Unbalanced

[macka]

Hey Guys,

DIY Boo boo.


Balanced mystery solved.

I found out why my Balanced operation was sounding so different..

I was in a hurry to commision the BOSOZ for balanced mode and recently discovered my balanced cable and XL connectors were wired incorrectly (I think I had hot and earth crossed at least).

I'm surprised it worked at all.

As to the sound now.. its magic!

regards

macka

[fcel]

Speaking of BOSOZ balanced output ....

Recently I have tried different set up of some of the stuff that I've built so far. I have mentioned a couple times in the other threads that my $500 Magneplanar MMG speakers sounds a little light in the bass region and I have always supplement the Maggies with a subwoofer.

Today, I hook up my BOSOZ (balanced out) to my Aleph 2 (balanced in) and I could not believe the amount of bass that I'm hearing from the $500 Maggies. I have used the Aleph 2 with some other pre-amps for the Maggies before but today is the first time I tried it with the BOSOZ. So, I'm very sure the much improved bass is due to BOSOZ. I'm beginning to wonder why BOSOZ makes such a big difference.

I was wondering if you guys have the same experience with your BOSOZ that are hooked up to "non-conventional" speakers.

And by the way, there isn't any turn on/off thump with this set up.

[macka]

Well,

My speaker are a dynamic piston range system but hardly conventional.

My previous pre out source was a Harman Kardan AV preamp model PT2500.

The BOSOZ slaughtered it, particularly in the bass clarity and dynamics, the sound is just so real.

By the way the Harman/Kardan uses NE5532 chips throughout, yuk says Nelson and rightfully so, they really suck compared the IRF610 Diff pair combo.

I have not A/B'd recently with the old preamp, but when the program material demands it , I can almost count the cycles on the bottom end.

PS I am waiting for Waynes remote passive volume control article which I hope I can incorporate into the BOSOZ. (For my Xmas stocking please)

These switched attenuators are way over the top, and there's no remote option. and my Lorlin 2 pole 6 position rotary switches just won't do.

cheers

macka

[macka]

Don't panic,

Disregard the Bass and Treble labels, its just an old box I "was" previously using for the Doug Self advanced preamp. (the boards of which are now in my audio museum)

Cheers

macka

[fcel]

macka ... I'm glad to hear that your BOSOZ has definitive difference in the bass response too.

[martinschki]

sorry for the stupid question:

how can i use the advantage of the BOSOZ + Aleph5 connected balanced when my CD Player and my turntable has unbalanced Output (Cinch)??

Or should I build another Pre? (But everyone here praises the BOSOZ, so I also want to go for one!)

Regards,
Martin

[Mad_K]

just plug them in man!

[BrianGT]

Originally posted by martinschki
sorry for the stupid question:

how can i use the advantage of the BOSOZ + Aleph5 connected balanced when my CD Player and my turntable has unbalanced Output (Cinch)??

Or should I build another Pre? (But everyone here praises the BOSOZ, so I also want to go for one!)

Regards,
Martin

Yes, you can take advantage of the BOSOZ and Aleph 5 connected balanced with an unbalanced input to the BOSOZ. It can essentially be used as a unbalanced to balanced convertor. Read the article...
http://www.passdiy.com/pdf/balzenpre.pdf

--
Brian

[macka]

Martin,

I assume you have not built the pre yet, if so would run with the BOSOZ as this is proven design with boards available or simple enough to make point to point wiring.

Here is a shot of my Aleph 5 with Hi Cap power supply, it runs very nicely and I may convert to the Aleph 60 or a small Alpeh X!

The Aleph 5 is still a great amp though and practical for most to contruct.


macka

[martinschki]

when you talk from point to point, do you think I could use
VERO WIRE? (at least for the Prototype?)
Unfortunately i donot know the diameter of the wire.

Regards
Martin