Thread: Aaron 22 multi-channel pre-amp

Posts: 35
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Post by rammiepie November 26, 2014 (11 of 35)
bmoura said:

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.

I own 2 Parasound P7 preamps which I use with full range speakers precluding the use of a subwoofer.

It is an exceptional sounding device but in this day and age has a very limited use......NO DSP modes, useless for watching cable/satellite TV (NO HDMI and audio will be in stereo only) but if one can do without these "extravagances" a very worthwhile investment.

Of course the expense of outfitting them with 'quality' RCA connectors can be daunting, at best, because utilizing them with cheap connectors, IMHO, defeats the purpose of such a device. For instance, if I were to connect my TEAC Quadraphonic Open Reel Deck with outboard Dolby B processor, I would need 8 RCA connectors!

Post by trntbl November 27, 2014 (12 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!

And I was happy to grab Bel Canto Pre6 when I could! I got to love the fact that these analogue beasts are 100% future-proof, just add player/dac and listen to latest formats.

Post by tgdallas December 1, 2014 (13 of 35)
Precicely, in a world of continiously changing digital formats, my Parasound P7 provides stability. Of course I need a source component that can decode the formats, but this has always been possible. You trade an inexpensive source that outputs pure digital and feeds a processor for a more expensive source that also does the decoding for a pure analogue amplifier.

It was upon Kal Rubinson's recommendation that I opted for an Esoteric DV-60 plus a Parasound P7 for better quality when replaying multichannel music.

My possible next step, now that the computer seems to be the source component of the future, is a multi-channel dac, like the Exasound E28.

But I wonder, why is the P7 not available in Canada?

Post by classicrecordings December 1, 2014 (14 of 35)
^
Parasound does not have a distributor in Canada, and they say they will not ship to Canada anymore because of the costs of the CSA electrical certification requirements.

Post by Fitzcaraldo215 December 1, 2014 (15 of 35)
tgdallas said:

Precicely, in a world of continiously changing digital formats, my Parasound P7 provides stability. Of course I need a source component that can decode the formats, but this has always been possible. You trade an inexpensive source that outputs pure digital and feeds a processor for a more expensive source that also does the decoding for a pure analogue amplifier.

It was upon Kal Rubinson's recommendation that I opted for an Esoteric DV-60 plus a Parasound P7 for better quality when replaying multichannel music.

My possible next step, now that the computer seems to be the source component of the future, is a multi-channel dac, like the Exasound E28.

But I wonder, why is the P7 not available in Canada?

You make some good points, but Mch analog controllers are, nonetheless, a dying breed. Not many people can put together an optimized Mch system in their rooms without speaker distance correction, bass management and EQ, limitations as imposed by analog controllers. Those features are rare or severely compromised in source components like players, unlike digital controllers, where they are pretty much standard, at least most of them.

I have responded to many of the same concerns as you by eliminating my prepro and player entirely. For me, it is now PC to ExaSound e28, an extraordinarily super DAC. I cannot begin to describe how terrific it sounds, much, much, more than enough to make up for the lack of input flexibility. Of course, playing SACD discs directly is not possible this way, but there are other ways which I shall leave to your imagination.

Post by Kal Rubinson December 1, 2014 (16 of 35)
Fitzcaraldo215 said:
Not many people can put together an optimized Mch system in their rooms without speaker distance correction, bass management and EQ, limitations as imposed by analog controllers.

Speaker distance and EQ can be done in the server with Dirac. Bass management, if necessary, in jRiver.

Post by Fitzcaraldo215 December 2, 2014 (17 of 35)
Kal Rubinson said:

Speaker distance and EQ can be done in the server with Dirac. Bass management, if necessary, in jRiver.

That is exactly how I do it, Kal. So, the PC takes on these functions and becomes my digital controller via different, integrated pieces of software with master volume control applied by my DAC and its driver in the PC. I no longer use any sources via analog, so I do not need an analog preamp/processor either. It sounds truly great, and it supplies video, as well, with very high quality, all much higher in quality than my previous prepro and player.

Post by Iain December 2, 2014 (18 of 35)
Fitzcaraldo215 said:

...

I have responded to many of the same concerns as you by eliminating my prepro and player entirely. For me, it is now PC to ExaSound e28, an extraordinarily super DAC. ...

That is extremely expensive bit of kit, but if you want to waste your money on it, feel free to do so.

I'll pass, however.

Post by Iain December 2, 2014 (19 of 35)
Kal Rubinson said:

Speaker distance and EQ can be done in the server with Dirac. Bass management, if necessary, in jRiver.

Frankly, I can't see why anyone would want to go through all that grief, when any readily available processor will do the same thing much easier and with less outlay of funds.

I'll pass on this, as well.

Post by Kal Rubinson December 2, 2014 (20 of 35)
Iain said:

Frankly, I can't see why anyone would want to go through all that grief, when any readily available processor will do the same thing much easier and with less outlay of funds.

I'll pass on this, as well.

Actually, I find it easier and better this way. Almost(!) all my music is on my servers these days and I can access them faster through a PC-based renderer. No currently available processor can do this for high resolution multichannel sources, afaik. This same device also provides the speaker management (levels, delays) and EQ. The output goes to the exaSound e28 and, like Carl, I could get along without anything else.

However, as a reviewer, I need to accommodate additional sources and devices from time to time, the AR MP1 (or similar) offers additional MCH and stereo inputs for those without requiring me to disrupt my own reference arrangement.

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