My question centers around the adjustable design of the BA-3 front end. Given such a configurable circuit, would it be better to run a simple preamp, that passes a clean signal, perhaps something with less gain? Or, if one does run two BA-3 front-end boards back-to-back, should one configure them both in the same way? Leave one super clean and adjust the other to taste?
that really depends of your own taste, generally all combinations are valid
even if that seems complicated, it is better to have multiple choices m than the other way; all you need is to became informed how to deal with them
example - my approach is - super clean preamp, Sugar amount solved with amp and speakers
even if that seems complicated, it is better to have multiple choices m than the other way; all you need is to became informed how to deal with them
example - my approach is - super clean preamp, Sugar amount solved with amp and speakers
Instructions unclear, tuned harmonic response to System of a Down
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ZM, why do you prefer a clean pre and a sweet amp, as opposed to the other way around? Any particular reason/benefit?
Negatives, none per se.
Do you need that much system gain? Did you get around to calculating the input sensitivity of your BA-3? Check out the awesome Wiki article on gain structure if it interests you.
If you decide to go that route, I'd personally leave P3 out of the pre.
Were it me... I can't remember where you wound up with your preferred distortion profile on your BA-3 so...
ACP+ is one kick butt little pre-amp, and I can't remember if anyone has mentioned it. However, if you made your BA-3 intentionally a bit "sweeter" then ACP+ may not be your match. It's got some sweetness of its own. That and a sweet BA-3 may be too much. Don't know.
I'd recommend trying a Waynes BA linestage if you decide you need gain. I'd recommend a B1 if you decide you don't. If you can wait a bit (how long's a "bit"?), I have it on good authority that the (hopefully) last set of verification boards have been ordered for ZMs Iron Pre, and that it should be in the store "soon". Iron Pre / BA-3 is a stunning combination, IMO.
You really can't go wrong with any choice.... your real question is which one do we recommend building.... first...
Do you need that much system gain? Did you get around to calculating the input sensitivity of your BA-3? Check out the awesome Wiki article on gain structure if it interests you.
If you decide to go that route, I'd personally leave P3 out of the pre.
Were it me... I can't remember where you wound up with your preferred distortion profile on your BA-3 so...
ACP+ is one kick butt little pre-amp, and I can't remember if anyone has mentioned it. However, if you made your BA-3 intentionally a bit "sweeter" then ACP+ may not be your match. It's got some sweetness of its own. That and a sweet BA-3 may be too much. Don't know.
I'd recommend trying a Waynes BA linestage if you decide you need gain. I'd recommend a B1 if you decide you don't. If you can wait a bit (how long's a "bit"?), I have it on good authority that the (hopefully) last set of verification boards have been ordered for ZMs Iron Pre, and that it should be in the store "soon". Iron Pre / BA-3 is a stunning combination, IMO.
You really can't go wrong with any choice.... your real question is which one do we recommend building.... first...
well, pretty much everything (even if clumsy) explained in first few posts of Iron Pumpkin(s) and other smaller vegetable animals
experience I had with my first toob WOT preamp lead me to next obsession - how to get rid of classic resistive volume control; obsession substantially eased when I receive (just one of numerous!!!!) Geschenk from my Bruder Gerd (Generg, as known around) - he sent me a pair of Slagle 200$ AVC jobbies and I tried them extensively
that lead me to obsession about obsession - to make my own (as anything else, except Best Small Amp of the World, that being FW M2, I must make my own) ........... and result is pair of Iron Pumpkins
now, logical development of IPumppkins lead to very low THD which combined with very low losses of signal energy ( call it with whichever Audiophool term you like most) gives very neutral gadget
all good up to +8db of gain; if I need more, I can add gain block where it suits me most, with nature which suits me most
in present time, I personally don't need more gain than regular small (FW format) amp gives me ...... and for most of the time (99.99%) power is in abundance with same amps
THD Spectra , to feed my Pleasure Centers is easily achieved in amps itself, due to fact that I carefully chose my speakers - easy to drive, sounding good to my ears
things are easy when you're Old Fart - you either learned how to, or you just stopped bothering with
I prefer the BA-3 FE as preamp to my ACP+ and Wayne 2018 linestage. To me, it's no contest, but it all depends on the whole system setup.
Learn how to adjust P3 using a soundcard and REW and you will unlock the potential of the BA-3. There is no shortcut about it. I highly recommend the Focusrite Scarlett Solo for the soundcard.
I ran my BA-3 with my F4 so I can evaluate the sound of the preamp as much as I can. Then, if you happen to have an M2X, try Ishikawa with BA-3 preamp with H2 set to 25dB above H3. You might like it.
Learn how to adjust P3 using a soundcard and REW and you will unlock the potential of the BA-3. There is no shortcut about it. I highly recommend the Focusrite Scarlett Solo for the soundcard.
I ran my BA-3 with my F4 so I can evaluate the sound of the preamp as much as I can. Then, if you happen to have an M2X, try Ishikawa with BA-3 preamp with H2 set to 25dB above H3. You might like it.