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Author Topic: BA as preamp  (Read 1377 times)

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givemevinyl

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BA as preamp
« on: August 24, 2013, 02:53:09 PM »
Has anyone used the Balancing Act as a preamp in a speakers setup?  What kind of amp would be a good match?
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CEE TEE

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Re: BA as preamp
« Reply #1 on: August 24, 2013, 06:02:28 PM »
^Good question, I am going to borrow some Audioengine A5 speakers that are self-powered. Can't do a sub-woofer and will be background music.


May I tag onto your thread and also ask if anyone has tried the BA as preamp to the KGSSHV?
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zerodeefex

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Re: BA as preamp
« Reply #2 on: August 24, 2013, 07:13:03 PM »
You can probably borrow my KGSSHV if you can pick it up in Mountain View to test out.

I have a pair of A5+ that I tried to use as a bedroom set but I'm not a fan, too. I should dig those out.

Quote from: CEE TEE on August 24, 2013, 06:02:28 PM
^Good question, I am going to borrow some Audioengine A5 speakers that are self-powered. Can't do a sub-woofer and will be background music.


May I tag onto your thread and also ask if anyone has tried the BA as preamp to the KGSSHV?
Quote from: CEE TEE on August 24, 2013, 06:02:28 PM
^Good question, I am going to borrow some Audioengine A5 speakers that are self-powered. Can't do a sub-woofer and will be background music.


May I tag onto your thread and also ask if anyone has tried the BA as preamp to the KGSSHV?
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Marvey

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Re: BA as preamp
« Reply #3 on: August 24, 2013, 07:47:03 PM »
I tried the BA into the DIY T2 and didn't like it. Sort of brought out the worse of the BA and worse of the T2 at the same time.

I've also tried in the BA into a Crest CA2 power amp. It was decent and helped out speakers which were kind of bright. But overall I am not a fan of using the BA as a pre-amp. Anything after it will likely not be able to translate what the BA inherently does good. I can see people liking that sound though - very smooth and silky.

I actually prefer the Mjolnir as a pre-amp. Maybe a BA with 45 tubes.
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givemevinyl

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Re: BA as preamp
« Reply #4 on: August 25, 2013, 05:06:35 AM »
Thanks, I guess I'll give it a go.  I suddenly got an urge to go back to speakers and was hoping to keep the BA for dual purpose.
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CEE TEE

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Re: BA as preamp
« Reply #5 on: August 26, 2013, 02:52:53 AM »
Thanks zerodeefex, that's a nice offer and also am glad to hear your opinion...


I do have a pair in Mountain View that I can borrow but maybe I don't wanna!


Okay, thanks, purrin.  Good to know that the BA "magic" doesn't quite make it through additional amping very well.  Won't have my hopes up if I ever bother to try it.
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zerodeefex

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Re: BA as preamp
« Reply #6 on: August 26, 2013, 03:17:37 AM »
Don't have a BA so can't test it out with the KGSSHV :)
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Mr.Sneis

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Re: BA as preamp
« Reply #7 on: August 26, 2013, 06:23:00 PM »
Mine sounds fine with Parasound Zamp feeding Pioneer SP-BS22-LR bookshelves and the matching sub.  Noise floor isn't the greatest (but not horrible) and for some reason it gets really bad when my PC is hooked up to the PerfectWave DAC via USB and in a 3d-game (via optical it's not an issue) but that is not the BA's fault.
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Elysian

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Re: BA as preamp
« Reply #8 on: August 26, 2013, 07:59:41 PM »
Fwiw, I've noticed that tubes make a significant difference in my preamp. I had to go through multiple sets of 6SL7 inputs to find something I liked. With the wrong tubes, I got the same impression purrin mentioned above. Kind of brought out the qualities I didn't like in either amp.
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