K-03 in da house!

[cma29]

Originally Posted by 2fastdriving

Hmm same here. I will try the +6dB also. Doesn't it just change what you'll dial in for your preamp volume? How can this change the sound quality?

In our hobby everything and anything can affect sound quality

Seriously, the +6 dB setting doubles the voltage out of the DAC, but louder sometimes is perceived to sound better.

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[PlanarSpeakerFan]

Originally Posted by 2fastdriving

Hmm same here. I will try the +6dB also.

Doesn't it just change what you'll dial in for your preamp volume? How can this change the sound quality?

Hi Marc,

I don't know exactly why it changes the sound quality but to my ears, it does. I believe the reason that I am now noticing the difference is because of the resolving power of the XP-30 preamp I recently added. The last time I switched back and forth, my impressions were that the 0 dB setting produced more delicacy and nuance to the sound, while the +6 dB setting produced a more punchy and dynamic sound. I'll try it again tonight to see if I dreamt all of this.

PS - I did adjust the overall volume level to be equal.

Best,
Ken

[2fastdriving]

Originally Posted by PlanarSpeakerFan

Hi Marc,

I don't know exactly why it changes the sound quality but to my ears, it does. I believe the reason that I am now noticing the difference is because of the resolving power of the XP-30 preamp I recently added. The last time I switched back and forth, my impressions were that the 0 dB setting produced more delicacy and nuance to the sound, while the +6 dB setting produced a more punchy and dynamic sound. I'll try it again tonight to see if I dreamt all of this.

PS - I did adjust the overall volume level to be equal.

Best,
Ken

I'll be trying it, too. But I suspect it's in our minds. A good preamp (which you and I certainly own) should sound the same regardless of the input volume (within reason), you just need to adjust the output volume to compensate. At least in theory?

I would think that if it sounds different, that indicates a issue with the way the preamp is designed, because it is a fact that no two devices put out the same exact voltage. Every dac and phono pre I have had in my system demands a slightly different volume setting for the same output dB.

At least I think so. But a lot of stuff doesn't make sense in this hobby.

[Yardbird]

Originally Posted by 2fastdriving

I'll be trying it, too. But I suspect it's in our minds. A good preamp (which you and I certainly own) should sound the same regardless of the input volume (within reason), you just need to adjust the output volume to compensate. At least in theory?

I would think that if it sounds different, that indicates a issue with the way the preamp is designed, because it is a fact that no two devices put out the same exact voltage. Every dac and phono pre I have had in my system demands a slightly different volume setting for the same output dB.

At least I think so. But a lot of stuff doesn't make sense in this hobby.

It looks like you have a great new system there! The Ref 75 and Sashas must sound superb. Ted.

[2fastdriving]

Originally Posted by Yardbird

It looks like you have a great new system there! The Ref 75 and Sashas must sound superb. Ted.

Thanks. I have been listening so much that I don't know what sounds good or bad anymore. Sensory overload!

[Car commander]

It's helpful to change one thing at a time and listen for several days.

[PlanarSpeakerFan]

Originally Posted by PlanarSpeakerFan

Hi Marc,

I don't know exactly why it changes the sound quality but to my ears, it does. I believe the reason that I am now noticing the difference is because of the resolving power of the XP-30 preamp I recently added. The last time I switched back and forth, my impressions were that the 0 dB setting produced more delicacy and nuance to the sound, while the +6 dB setting produced a more punchy and dynamic sound. I'll try it again tonight to see if I dreamt all of this.

PS - I did adjust the overall volume level to be equal.

Best,
Ken

K-01 Settings Part 2 - I listened again tonight and the two settings, 0 dB and +6 dB output, continue to sound different. Everything I wrote above still goes but I have a few additional thoughts. The 0 dB output setting sounds a little more refined but has a slight brightness in the high treble that I do not care for. The +6 dB output setting has a thicker midrange and slightly smoother high treble but isn't quite as delicate or refined. These differences could be due to either the K-01 or the XP-30, or both. Since I'm very sensitive to any treble brightness, I'm going to run for awhile on S_DLY2, Original Sampling and +6 dB output, at least until these components are more broken in. Interesting exercise though.

Ken

[cma29]

Originally Posted by 2fastdriving

Thanks. I have been listening so much that I don't know what sounds good or bad anymore. Sensory overload!

That's happened to me also

[Ricardo Nonato]

Hi Srs.,

Would anyone tell me what model fuse K-03?


Nice regards,
Ricardo Nonato.