Interesting sound note on new Preamp

[ematthews]

Finally set up my audio room after moving a month ago. Hooked up the new Parasound P7 preamp and noticed an interesting thing. Comparing the P7 to my Emotiva XSP-1 gen 2. pre amp. All setting exactly the same. The only difference is the Emotiva has about 20 hours on it. Running both set in a 2.1 80hz cut off the P7 has a ton more bass output into the sub. However the P7 sounds a bit less clear in the highs. I went back and fourth a few times and mixed up the music as well. P7 pushes the sub to a point to where I turned down the volume knob on the sub from 8 to 6 just to level it out. So pre amps are supposed to sound the same... Well, I then put it in DIRECT two channel full range mode with out the sub and had the same results... More bass from the P7.

 

[Steve81]

One question regarding the Emo's direct mode: did you also try flipping the switch on the rear panel to disengage the high pass filter on your mains? Glancing at the manual, it doesn't look like Direct mode disables this, just the tone controls.

 

[ematthews]

One question regarding the Emo's direct mode: did you also try flipping the switch on the rear panel to disengage the high pass filter on your mains? Glancing at the manual, it doesn't look like Direct mode disables this, just the tone controls.

Yes. Just flipped it over to full range and disconnected the sub on both just to be sure.

 

[Steve81]

Interesting indeed. Can you take any measurements of your speakers being fed by the Para and then the Emo to see what's going on?

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

Yes. Just flipped it over to full range and disconnected the sub on both just to be sure.

That is strange. The sub was not even connected. Yet in Direct modes for both preamps, the same 2 speakers had different amounts of bass output?

How many times have I told you to just stick to an AVR or pre-pro, instead of these pesky preamps?

No wonder some people keep on saying preamps and amps sound differently.

 

[ematthews]

That is strange. The sub was not even connected. Yet in Direct modes for both preamps, the same 2 speakers had different amounts of bass output?

How many times have I told you to just stick to an AVR or pre-pro, instead of these preamps?

No wonder some people keep on saying preamps and amps sound differently.

I know, I know. And now I have a true AVR room for it to go in including my old Panasonic Plasma TV.. Maybe I might put part of my system up for sale and finally get that Marantz Pre Pro.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

...I might put part of my system up for sale and finally get that Marantz Pre Pro.

I think many people, including myself and TLS Guy, would agree to that.