The top picture is a Roksan Caspian M1 (left) and M2 (right) integrated ampifier.
The bottom is a Roksan Caspian M1 preamplifier.
1. Please advise why the capacitors of M1 preampifier (4 large capacitors) are more than the capacitors (2 large capactors) of M1 / M2 integrated ampifier?
2. Are there any benefits of adding 2 large capacitors to the M1 integrated ampifier, which is serving as a preampifier only? (Note: M1 integrated amplifier has a pre-out function to power amplifier)
The bottom is a Roksan Caspian M1 preamplifier.
1. Please advise why the capacitors of M1 preampifier (4 large capacitors) are more than the capacitors (2 large capactors) of M1 / M2 integrated ampifier?
2. Are there any benefits of adding 2 large capacitors to the M1 integrated ampifier, which is serving as a preampifier only? (Note: M1 integrated amplifier has a pre-out function to power amplifier)
An externally hosted image should be here but it was not working when we last tested it.
An externally hosted image should be here but it was not working when we last tested it.
It is a preamp with volume control and input selector.
http://www.roksan.co.uk/roksan/products/no_16/doc/d_16_1.pdf
Q1: Why some preamplifiers have "more" capacitors than even good integrated amps, is because one believes in extra good filtration of the power supply.
Q2: No audible benefits will be there to add capacitors on the integrated amp wich is only serving as a preamp. You would need to do quite a bit more with the power supply to have any benefits wich you would enjoy as "better sound".
Explanation 1: As You see, the two answers seems to "kill each other".
But in the bottom preamp, the alterations are probably already implemented, as they are not in the integrated amp.
Why ROKSAN chose to use an "ultra low noise toroidal transformer" in their M2 for the preamplifier section (The smaller toroid there)
But goes for the 350VA transformer in their clean Pre-Amp, I really are not sure why.
Q2: No audible benefits will be there to add capacitors on the integrated amp wich is only serving as a preamp. You would need to do quite a bit more with the power supply to have any benefits wich you would enjoy as "better sound".
Explanation 1: As You see, the two answers seems to "kill each other".
But in the bottom preamp, the alterations are probably already implemented, as they are not in the integrated amp.
Why ROKSAN chose to use an "ultra low noise toroidal transformer" in their M2 for the preamplifier section (The smaller toroid there)
But goes for the 350VA transformer in their clean Pre-Amp, I really are not sure why.
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Most people believe that if some of something is good then more of it must be better. This includes some audio designers and most audio journalists. A preamp with big power supply caps is going to get a better review than an identical unit with smaller, but still perfectly adequate, caps - even if it sounds the same (or worse!). Similarly for a big transformer.
Interesting, or rather wasteful, that the large size transformer and heatsink are in the preamp too....'wonder what for? Couldn't the budget accommodate an inventory of more but cheaper parts, in line with preamp/phoneamp requirements. Even class A headamps won't need that much power/cooling.
I guess, ANWKLO, that if that lower pic is only a pre/head amp, it is class A and the caps are probably special quality to justify the high price that preamps attract - often the same or little less than the amplifier, even though the basic manufacturing cost could probably be only ~60%.
Also, it's likely that there are 2 PSUs - a dual mono circuit which obviously doubles the power supply parts and the caps, of course.
I guess, ANWKLO, that if that lower pic is only a pre/head amp, it is class A and the caps are probably special quality to justify the high price that preamps attract - often the same or little less than the amplifier, even though the basic manufacturing cost could probably be only ~60%.
Also, it's likely that there are 2 PSUs - a dual mono circuit which obviously doubles the power supply parts and the caps, of course.
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