I'm using a set of Braun Atelier system consisting of an Atelier A1 integrated amplifier and a pair of LS200 speakers.
Today, I got a new bigger power amp. It's a/d/s/ PA4. Launched in around late 80s, it's one of the Atelier series.
Since it's a separated component, a power amplifier, it needs a preamplifier. The preamp which was launched with it is an Atelier CC4. The question is do I need to find the CC4 to use with it? However, I observe the A1 of mine has a pre-out channels. I wonder if I use the pre-out function of the A1, will it give the same sound quality to the CC4 preamp?
Although I have very little on Electronics, I've searched for the schematics of both A1 and CC4 and compare the preamp section. Yes, they are different. Yet, they're the same Atelier series. So, do they close in performance?
Today, I got a new bigger power amp. It's a/d/s/ PA4. Launched in around late 80s, it's one of the Atelier series.
Since it's a separated component, a power amplifier, it needs a preamplifier. The preamp which was launched with it is an Atelier CC4. The question is do I need to find the CC4 to use with it? However, I observe the A1 of mine has a pre-out channels. I wonder if I use the pre-out function of the A1, will it give the same sound quality to the CC4 preamp?
Although I have very little on Electronics, I've searched for the schematics of both A1 and CC4 and compare the preamp section. Yes, they are different. Yet, they're the same Atelier series. So, do they close in performance?
I would try the A1 and if you are happy with it fine. Keep your eyes out for a decent price CC4 as a further upgrade. As for capacitor replacement that is a trend that started in the mid 2000s when the market was flooded with fake capacitors. I deal in vintage gear and unless something has suffered damage changing the caps is a wattless excerise.
Both these opinions are less than half true. The only capacitors that age when not powered up are electrolytic capacitors. The ones marked with plus near one terminal or minus in balls pointed at the other. Or ones with NP printed after the voltage. These are water filled aluminum cans sealed with rubber, which sealant deteriorates from oxygen even sitting on the shelf. Different grades of e-cap sealant deteriorate at different rates. Industrial grade pro components used lightly, the e-capacitors can last 30 years. Consumer grade trash, e-caps can fail after 1 year. Plastic film caps and ceramic disk caps do not age unless run very hot with large currents and near the voltage limit.
A power amp usually requires a preamp if the user has a turntable with a moving magnet or moving coil phono cartridge: or if the user is using dynamic microphones. Condensor microphones usually require a mixer with phantom power. Some recent DSP's have become notorious for not providing enough voltage out to drive some amps to full power. Some digital keyboards have the same problem.
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Capacitors, everyone on diy site knows we are talking only electrolytics, have been plagued by failures. There are reliable brands, and then there are terrible brands.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Capacitor_plague
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Capacitor_plague