rodentmacbeastie
500+ Head-Fier
- Joined
- Feb 10, 2005
- Posts
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I have all but finalized my new speaker rig. I have settled on my current source for now and when I can I will also buy a Modwright Denon 3910. The amps are 8 channels of Hypex class D DIY with a SMPS power supply fed by a pair of 3-way Marchand active crossover. The speakers are a DIY design that will incorporate an Aurum Cantus tweeter, two CSS 4.5" midranges, and four Extremis 6.5" midwoofers. The only thing that is missing is the preamp.
This is were my questions lie... I will list what the two options have as benefit and any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
Presonus Central Station
Positives:
-apparently as transparent as a preamp can be, or close anyway
-has built in DAC, would be nice now but not neccessary later upon Modwright puchase
-two built in headphone amps that apparently sound good
-the ability to listen to two different sources at the same time through different outputs. This would be great when my girlfriend watches a movie so I can listen to music.
-left/right level controls for 3 outputs which would allow easy trimming of the Xover
-balanced output to the amps which have both single ended and balanced connectivity
-cheap price of under $500 for a lot of stuff, add $? for 220v PS
negatives:
-ugly as hell
-headphone amps may disappoint me after my previous rig
-ugly as hell
-110v power supply means I will have to find and buy a 220v ps when I move to Asia next year
-might not be the best build quality
Stello HP100
Positives:
-sexy looking
-great headamp for my Senns won't dissapoint
-simple two source inputs is all I need
-small footprint
-switchable 110/220v power supply
-great build quality and reputation
Negatives:
-unbalanced outputs not a deal breaker but still will be missed
-DAC will be missed for a while but likely never used when I get the Modwright
-no level controls for the six channels means more$ to make my own DIY
-more expensive to begin with
Basically it comes down to the fact that the Presonus seems to be have made specifically for my needs and as a preamp/DAC I will likely be very satisfied. I am afraid that after selling my WooAudio3 that I will end up having to buy a headamp again to be pleased. But priority should be given to the preamp function since this is for speakers first and cans second. On the other hand, I know that I will be satisfied with the headamp of the HP100 but have no idea how well the preamp function sounds. The missing DAC on the Stello will not likely be missed later on, nor will the balanced outs.
Has anyone heard both of these amps? How much better should the Stello's headamp sound? How does the preamp sound with the Stello? You get the idea. Sound of the preamp comes first. But if the Stello preamp is almost as good as the Presonus, my choice is a little easier being that the headamp better be considerably better that the Presonus headamp. Help me please. I need to fill in the missing link.
This is were my questions lie... I will list what the two options have as benefit and any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
Presonus Central Station
Positives:
-apparently as transparent as a preamp can be, or close anyway
-has built in DAC, would be nice now but not neccessary later upon Modwright puchase
-two built in headphone amps that apparently sound good
-the ability to listen to two different sources at the same time through different outputs. This would be great when my girlfriend watches a movie so I can listen to music.
-left/right level controls for 3 outputs which would allow easy trimming of the Xover
-balanced output to the amps which have both single ended and balanced connectivity
-cheap price of under $500 for a lot of stuff, add $? for 220v PS
negatives:
-ugly as hell
-headphone amps may disappoint me after my previous rig
-ugly as hell
-110v power supply means I will have to find and buy a 220v ps when I move to Asia next year
-might not be the best build quality
Stello HP100
Positives:
-sexy looking
-great headamp for my Senns won't dissapoint
-simple two source inputs is all I need
-small footprint
-switchable 110/220v power supply
-great build quality and reputation
Negatives:
-unbalanced outputs not a deal breaker but still will be missed
-DAC will be missed for a while but likely never used when I get the Modwright
-no level controls for the six channels means more$ to make my own DIY
-more expensive to begin with
Basically it comes down to the fact that the Presonus seems to be have made specifically for my needs and as a preamp/DAC I will likely be very satisfied. I am afraid that after selling my WooAudio3 that I will end up having to buy a headamp again to be pleased. But priority should be given to the preamp function since this is for speakers first and cans second. On the other hand, I know that I will be satisfied with the headamp of the HP100 but have no idea how well the preamp function sounds. The missing DAC on the Stello will not likely be missed later on, nor will the balanced outs.
Has anyone heard both of these amps? How much better should the Stello's headamp sound? How does the preamp sound with the Stello? You get the idea. Sound of the preamp comes first. But if the Stello preamp is almost as good as the Presonus, my choice is a little easier being that the headamp better be considerably better that the Presonus headamp. Help me please. I need to fill in the missing link.
