Hello, I recently acquired a used pair of YG Acoustic Carmel and have been driving them with F4 monoblocks with a BBA3 preamp and 32 volt rail dual mono power supply.
I currently use a Gold Note DS-10 streamer/preamp as my remote volume control and set my BBA3 with Goldpoint 4 gang attenuator to full volume.
I have a two part question.
- instead of turning up the BBA3 volume all the way and not utilizing the pot, is there any harm in removing the pot and having the BBA3 preamp run solely as a full output front end and continue to use the Gold Note for volume control or build an Academy Audio Muses control which I have all the parts already? I could use a tad more gain but the Gold Note is only 2V.
Also, what would be the easiest device to buy and software to adjust P3 on the BA3? I would like to add a little harmonic distortion and set each P3 the same. I saw Focusrite scarlet as an option. Is it best to set each balanced channel or each V+ and V- for Left and Right.
Thanks.
I currently use a Gold Note DS-10 streamer/preamp as my remote volume control and set my BBA3 with Goldpoint 4 gang attenuator to full volume.
I have a two part question.
- instead of turning up the BBA3 volume all the way and not utilizing the pot, is there any harm in removing the pot and having the BBA3 preamp run solely as a full output front end and continue to use the Gold Note for volume control or build an Academy Audio Muses control which I have all the parts already? I could use a tad more gain but the Gold Note is only 2V.
Also, what would be the easiest device to buy and software to adjust P3 on the BA3? I would like to add a little harmonic distortion and set each P3 the same. I saw Focusrite scarlet as an option. Is it best to set each balanced channel or each V+ and V- for Left and Right.
Thanks.
I see no reason why you can't remove the existing pot if it's not being used. I see no reason to add another 'analog' volume control unless you just want to try something different.
Adjust for a tad more gain if you want.
Easiest for me - QuantAsylum.
For each channel, I'd tweak each signal (positive and inverted) independently and measure them independently while also measuring the resulting distortion of the 'combined' signals => differential signal. A part of how you may choose to do it may depend on whether you swap between SE and Balanced. Play with it. Have fun.
Adjust for a tad more gain if you want.
Easiest for me - QuantAsylum.
For each channel, I'd tweak each signal (positive and inverted) independently and measure them independently while also measuring the resulting distortion of the 'combined' signals => differential signal. A part of how you may choose to do it may depend on whether you swap between SE and Balanced. Play with it. Have fun.
Awesome. Thanks for the feedback @ItsAllInMyHead.
I have the BA3 made stock with 330 ohm resistors. Could it be adjusted for more gain by lowering that value? I know increasing it lowers the gain as I had to do this before.
I have the BA3 made stock with 330 ohm resistors. Could it be adjusted for more gain by lowering that value? I know increasing it lowers the gain as I had to do this before.
Any time.
Best to check that thread for the latest and best information on gain alterations. If memory serves (HA!) there was a user GG... that wanted more gain a while back. Search a bit, and if it doesn't show up, I may have it in my notes. They were the only one I recall that wanted more vs. less gain, but there may be others.
Best to check that thread for the latest and best information on gain alterations. If memory serves (HA!) there was a user GG... that wanted more gain a while back. Search a bit, and if it doesn't show up, I may have it in my notes. They were the only one I recall that wanted more vs. less gain, but there may be others.
I’ll take a look. I tried searching and couldn’t find anyone needing/wanting more gain.
I noticed when I use other DACs with 4V output or higher it works really well but the Gold Note with only 2V needs to be cranked a lot higher.
Even with my Wayne’s preamp and Aleph J I wanted more output.
I noticed when I use other DACs with 4V output or higher it works really well but the Gold Note with only 2V needs to be cranked a lot higher.
Even with my Wayne’s preamp and Aleph J I wanted more output.
^ I ran a quick search. I was user GG11.
Also, this is a direct link to 6L6's recommendation to another person. Read around it for context. I just very, very briefly checked the search results.
https://www.diyaudio.com/community/...reamp-build-guide.258022/page-89#post-6110173
I'll try to look a little more later when I get some time, but let me know if that's what you're looking for.
Last, but not least... for my own curiosity ...
Why are you running a balanced pre and balanced amps w/o a balanced source? I realize it may not be an option at this time, but to me... 4V (@0dBFS) output from a typical balanced DAC would go toward what you're looking for also. Just for consideration.
Mostly... have fun!
Also, this is a direct link to 6L6's recommendation to another person. Read around it for context. I just very, very briefly checked the search results.
https://www.diyaudio.com/community/...reamp-build-guide.258022/page-89#post-6110173
I'll try to look a little more later when I get some time, but let me know if that's what you're looking for.
Last, but not least... for my own curiosity ...
Why are you running a balanced pre and balanced amps w/o a balanced source? I realize it may not be an option at this time, but to me... 4V (@0dBFS) output from a typical balanced DAC would go toward what you're looking for also. Just for consideration.
Mostly... have fun!
Thank you so much. I’ll look at this link.
The Gold Note DS-10 I’m using is balanced but only the 2V output and I have to turn it all the way to 80+ to get it to a good loudness level.
Looks like increasing R13 to 600 would give me 3 more db.
I’ll try bypassing the pot first, then new resistors next.
The Gold Note DS-10 I’m using is balanced but only the 2V output and I have to turn it all the way to 80+ to get it to a good loudness level.
Looks like increasing R13 to 600 would give me 3 more db.
I’ll try bypassing the pot first, then new resistors next.
^ Apologies. I assumed from the output voltage that the DS-10 was SE. 2V from a balanced output at 0dbFS would be unusual.
I couldn't find it in the spec sheet, but here's what Stereophile has to say in their measurements. It's much more in-line with expectations.
"DS-10 clipped with full-scale digital signals at settings greater than "91"—the output levels were 4.525V, balanced"
Maybe measure it on your personal unit to make sure it's functioning properly. That could be part of your issue.
https://www.stereophile.com/content/gold-note-ds-10-da-processor-measurements
With 32V rails ... ballpark loss of 4V per rail. Balanced ... ~112Vpp. => ~ 40Vrms.
You need under 10X gain (20dB) to clip your balanced F4 with a full signal from the DS-10, but I'd triple check my math.
Most music doesn't go to 0dBFS even at the highest transients. It also looks like the folks at Gold Note account for that by having the unit clip at a volume setting of 91 with a full scale signal. So, they're perhaps banking on 100 being where 'typical' music may clip.
A lot of that is guesswork... but it may help. Definitely re-check my math and assumptions.
I couldn't find it in the spec sheet, but here's what Stereophile has to say in their measurements. It's much more in-line with expectations.
"DS-10 clipped with full-scale digital signals at settings greater than "91"—the output levels were 4.525V, balanced"
Maybe measure it on your personal unit to make sure it's functioning properly. That could be part of your issue.
https://www.stereophile.com/content/gold-note-ds-10-da-processor-measurements
With 32V rails ... ballpark loss of 4V per rail. Balanced ... ~112Vpp. => ~ 40Vrms.
You need under 10X gain (20dB) to clip your balanced F4 with a full signal from the DS-10, but I'd triple check my math.
Most music doesn't go to 0dBFS even at the highest transients. It also looks like the folks at Gold Note account for that by having the unit clip at a volume setting of 91 with a full scale signal. So, they're perhaps banking on 100 being where 'typical' music may clip.
A lot of that is guesswork... but it may help. Definitely re-check my math and assumptions.
Interesting. I had not seen that article.
I did notice with the gold note in dac mode it was low output but there was more output as a preamp turned up higher. The manual did specify 2V balanced but did not mention more if being used as a preamp.
I rarely exceed 90 on the Gold Note and 80-85 is generally the sweep spot.
I thought about setting the Gold Note to Dac mode then adding my Balanced Academy Audio Wayne’s preamp in the chain before the BA3/F4’s.
That could give me a touch more gain and a different sound signature. I really like Waynes Preamp.
I did notice with the gold note in dac mode it was low output but there was more output as a preamp turned up higher. The manual did specify 2V balanced but did not mention more if being used as a preamp.
I rarely exceed 90 on the Gold Note and 80-85 is generally the sweep spot.
I thought about setting the Gold Note to Dac mode then adding my Balanced Academy Audio Wayne’s preamp in the chain before the BA3/F4’s.
That could give me a touch more gain and a different sound signature. I really like Waynes Preamp.