Passiv preamp for ZEN V4

Selfmade · 14th September 2002, 11:48 AM

Is it a sonical advantage to replace my BZLS with a passiv preamp when using the ZEN V4?
I think with ZEN V4 it could be done more easily compared to the original ZEN version.

I have an active crossover (Thel, 24 db/oct) with op-amps. Is it necessary to use the BZLS? I think when using the BZLS there are more parts in the circuitry

regards

Günter

Peter Daniel · 14th September 2002, 03:00 PM

It's very easy to check it out. Just disconnect the active circuitry in your BOZ and use pot alone. Your ears should tell you what's better.

I tried to connect the output of my DAC directly to the original Zen, without even a pot, but the amp sounded better with a preamp. But it was Zen without a buffer.

Nelson Pass · 16th September 2002, 08:01 PM

Your source will have to have quite a bit of gain to
drive ZV4 with a passive. Quite a few CD players, like
the Wadia and Theta products do.

jh6you · 16th September 2002, 09:39 PM

Hi, The one and only

Are you referring to the output voltage of Vrms or Vpeak?
I mean in your comment above.

arold19 · 10th February 2003, 04:56 AM

Can I drive an Zen V4 only with a pot between the CD player and the Power amplifier ??

My CD player is an ARCAM alpha 7 se .... 2.3 V rms and the output impedance is 50 Ohm

thank you !!!

Tazzy · 10th February 2003, 08:17 AM

Just try it out?

miguel2 · 10th February 2003, 08:38 AM

My CDP from Marantz has a volume control incorporated, so I tried to use it directly on the ZenV4. The sound is listenable but I do prefer to put the tube pre in between. Either way I cannot drive the Zen up to clipping

.

stefanobilliani · 10th February 2003, 09:05 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Nelson Pass
Your source will have to have quite a bit of gain to
drive ZV4 with a passive. Quite a few CD players, like
the Wadia and Theta products do.

My Sony with Passlabs D1 I/V converter also do.

Pan · 10th February 2003, 09:29 AM

Miquel2,

the volume control of Marantz is a very low quality solution reducing the resolution for every bit of attenuation.

I´m not surprised you find the tube a better way.

/Peter

gtrmaker · 10th February 2003, 03:25 PM

I used to have my preamp in between the DAC and the
tube crossover. Lately I have been listening with no preamp,
just straight from the DAC to the crossover and let the crossover
be like a preamp. What an improvement in transparency!

14th September 2002, 11:48 AM	#1
Selfmade diyAudio Member Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Flensburg	Passiv preamp for ZEN V4 Is it a sonical advantage to replace my BZLS with a passiv preamp when using the ZEN V4? I think with ZEN V4 it could be done more easily compared to the original ZEN version. I have an active crossover (Thel, 24 db/oct) with op-amps. Is it necessary to use the BZLS? I think when using the BZLS there are more parts in the circuitry regards Günter

14th September 2002, 03:00 PM	#2
Peter Daniel diyAudio Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Toronto, Canada	It's very easy to check it out. Just disconnect the active circuitry in your BOZ and use pot alone. Your ears should tell you what's better. I tried to connect the output of my DAC directly to the original Zen, without even a pot, but the amp sounded better with a preamp. But it was Zen without a buffer. __________________ www.audiosector.com “Do something really well. See how much time it takes. It might be a product, a work of art, who knows? Then give it away cheaply, just because you feel that it should not cost so much, even if it took a lot of time and expensive materials to make it.” - JC

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16th September 2002, 08:01 PM	#3
Nelson Pass The one and only Join Date: Mar 2001	Your source will have to have quite a bit of gain to drive ZV4 with a passive. Quite a few CD players, like the Wadia and Theta products do.

16th September 2002, 09:39 PM	#4
jh6you Account Disabled Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Near to the Pacific Ocean	Hi, The one and only Are you referring to the output voltage of Vrms or Vpeak? I mean in your comment above.

10th February 2003, 04:56 AM	#5
arold19 diyAudio Member Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: montreal	Can I drive an Zen V4 only with a pot between the CD player and the Power amplifier ?? My CD player is an ARCAM alpha 7 se .... 2.3 V rms and the output impedance is 50 Ohm thank you !!!

10th February 2003, 08:17 AM	#6
Tazzy diyAudio Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Netherlands	Just try it out?

10th February 2003, 08:38 AM	#7
miguel2 diyAudio Member Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Portugal	My CDP from Marantz has a volume control incorporated, so I tried to use it directly on the ZenV4. The sound is listenable but I do prefer to put the tube pre in between. Either way I cannot drive the Zen up to clipping .

10th February 2003, 09:29 AM	#9
Pan diyAudio Member Join Date: Sep 2002	Miquel2, the volume control of Marantz is a very low quality solution reducing the resolution for every bit of attenuation. I´m not surprised you find the tube a better way. /Peter

10th February 2003, 03:25 PM	#10
gtrmaker diyAudio Member Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: CA	I used to have my preamp in between the DAC and the tube crossover. Lately I have been listening with no preamp, just straight from the DAC to the crossover and let the crossover be like a preamp. What an improvement in transparency!

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