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In the Forum: Audio Discussions
In the Thread: Another light for the LS tunnel: transformer-attenuators?
Post Subject: No help from this quarterPosted by Paul S on: 3/18/2007
So far it appears that one needn't look to the TAP for any sort of sonic help.  I have been breaking my own "one change at a time" rule by futzing with a new (K&K) phono stage as well as the CD/bypass stuff, and everything I do to/with the system is readily audilble.  This matters because I decided a long while ago that the "goal" for the system is "music", not simply a "listen-through" to a "literal rendition" of any given recording.  CD playback has consistently sounded so similar through the TAP or bypassed that I cannot be sure of differences, and the TAP does not seem to harm CD.  OTOH, I have a ways to go to get consistent sound from the new phono stage (another thread perhaps, if there is anything worth telling), and there is no way with the TAP to mitigate or balance any source problems, other than voume, phase or balance.  This would not be worth mentioning if I was getting consistently musical sound, but I am not.  The best so far is the best repro I have gotten to date, but any sort of change might throw the sound out of whack.  For instance, I have in the past use the output taps on the ML2s to tune LF/HF and ambience.  But with the TAP and the phono combination one change works two or more big effects, most of which sound like phase issues.

By the time I shut down the system today I was getting great sound and very good music from the phono system from my best records, and acceptable music and fair sound from lesser recordings.  Because I have had the bass just right and the highs just right, etc., I know it is possible to get any given "area" right; but I have gotten everything right simultaneously just once with the TAP installed, and I could not lock it down.

Is this a job for superbuffer?

Best regards,
Paul S

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