Thread: Aaron 22 multi-channel pre-amp

Posts: 35
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Post by classicrecordings November 25, 2014 (1 of 35)
Does anyone have any experience with this unit?

http://www.aaron-amplifiers.com/AARON-No22-Cineast-high-end-audio-multichannel-preamplifier

I just read the review at Hi-Fi+:

http://www.hifiplus.com/articles/aaron-no-22-cineast-preamp-and-no-3-millennium-power-amplifier/

and it looks interesting now that the Parasound P7 is no longer available in Canada.

Post by Iain November 25, 2014 (2 of 35)
Frankly everything about this already arcane and obsolete bit of kit shouts, stay far, far away.

No HDMI, DSD processing or anything one would expect in a modern processor. Plus the pricing and a single glowing subjective review exudes "1990 marketing" all over again.

I wouldn't waste my time of this, when there are better and far less expensive options available.

For the gullible, only.

Post by Kal Rubinson November 25, 2014 (3 of 35)
Iain said:

Frankly everything about this already arcane and obsolete bit of kit shouts, stay far, far away.

No HDMI, DSD processing or anything one would expect in a modern processor. Plus the pricing and a single glowing subjective review exudes "1990 marketing" all over again.

But it is not a processor, modern or otherwise. It is an analog preamplifier with 2 single-ended 7.1 inputs, similar to the Parasound P7 among currently manufactured devices. For those of us with unconventional systems or needs, these are useful to provide input switching and volume control. Clearly, this is not meant to be something for the mainstream.

(I have not seen or heard it but I am going on the two links in the top post.)

Post by trntbl November 26, 2014 (4 of 35)
Interesting piece of kit. I welcome any analogue mch-preamp to market. It's nice to have options for those who are more interested in sound quality rather than tons of features.

Post by rammiepie November 26, 2014 (5 of 35)
The Parasound P7 analogue pre amp has inputs for 2 sets of multichannel inputs and unlike the Aaron22 has one set of stereo balanced inputs and balanced outputs. It only handles bass management for stereo.

The Aaron, of course, IS sexier but I do like balanced inputs and outputs.

Post by bmoura November 26, 2014 (6 of 35)
trntbl said:

Interesting piece of kit. I welcome any analogue mch-preamp to market. It's nice to have options for those who are more interested in sound quality rather than tons of features.

Don't forget the excellent Switchman II from Ed Meitner's EMM Labs. It has 4 sets of 6 Channel inputs - including 2 that are balanced and 1 set that can be either unbalanced or balanced depending on what you need.

I use that one here and it has excellent sonics and performance. Originally developed for the recording studio and high resolution demos by Philips and Sony.

Michael Bishop at 5/4 Productions is a big fan of this one.

http://www.emmlabs.com/html/products/switchman/switchman.html

Post by Euell Neverno November 26, 2014 (7 of 35)
rammiepie said:

. . . I do like balanced inputs and outputs.

Balanced connecters are superior to unbalanced However, balanced requires additional circuitry and the only real advantage is in electromagnetic noise rejection for long cable runs handling weak signal.

Post by Fitzcaraldo215 November 26, 2014 (8 of 35)
Euell Neverno said:

Balanced connecters are superior to unbalanced However, balanced requires additional circuitry and the only real advantage is in electromagnetic noise rejection for long cable runs handling weak signal.

True, though in some gear, it is the unbalanced connection that requires the extra circuitry. It all depends. Also, balanced is often less susceptible to hum and ground loops. Part of that is because unbalanced or quasi-balanced connections are confusing to most users who think the arrow on the cable is supposed to represent signal flow, which it does not.

In any case, having used a lot of RCA and XLR connectors over the years, it is no contest. XLR is a pleasure to use. RCA is often a royal pain with connectors that are too tight in order to make their friction-only contact. Then twisting them usually just loosens the cover cap. They always need two hands to steady the device while connecting/disconnecting the cable, often difficult in close quarters. Once I got rid of vinyl and other analog inputs, I banished RCA connectors from my system forever. I do not miss them at all.

Post by Kal Rubinson November 26, 2014 (9 of 35)
bmoura said:

Don't forget the excellent Switchman II from Ed Meitner's EMM Labs. It has 4 sets of 6 Channel inputs - including 2 that are balanced and 1 set that can be either unbalanced or balanced depending on what you need.

Unfortunately, it is out of production as are all such devices except the P7 and the Aaron 33, afaik.

I was happy to grab an Audio Research MP1 when I could!

Post by bmoura November 26, 2014 (10 of 35)
Kal Rubinson said:

Unfortunately, it is out of production as are all such devices except the P7 and the Aaron 33, afaik.

I was happy to grab an Audio Research MP1 when I could!

Too bad. The preamps and switchers with multiple Multichannel inputs are very handy for Multichannel systems. Love mine.

I wonder if Audio Research - or EMM Labs - has thought of bringing these units back.

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