Dennis Had Inspire Amps

[Bombadil]

I use 5 different preamps in my systems, moving them around from time to time. Two are tube, two are SS and one is passive. All of them work well with my Inspire amp, however it is the most insensitive amp I've ever owned and thus I have to position my preamp volume controls to higher levels to achieve the same volume levels in my room. This can be an issue with my passive, as with some sources I have to turn it up to 9 to achieve moderately loud levels. I do have a DAC which has high grade outputs and a 2.75V output signal, this works okay with the passive and Inspire, but with sources which have the more typical 2.0V output, this combo falls short.

[straitwire]

Originally Posted by jdandy

Tony.......This is enjoyable watching you build your amplifier. The step by step photos are interesting to see. Thanks for sharing the build with us.

Thanks jdandy, I am glad you liked it!
I'm waiting for the powder coater to call me when he is finished with the second pair of PSE monobloc chassis's, I will be posting pics of that build also.

[decooney]

Originally Posted by Bombadil

I use 5 different preamps in my systems, moving them around from time to time. Two are tube, two are SS and one is passive. All of them work well with my Inspire amp, however it is the most insensitive amp I've ever owned and thus I have to position my preamp volume controls to higher levels to achieve the same volume levels in my room. This can be an issue with my passive, as with some sources I have to turn it up to 9 to achieve moderately loud levels. I do have a DAC which has high grade outputs and a 2.75V output signal, this works okay with the passive and Inspire, but with sources which have the more typical 2.0V output, this combo falls short.

Good to know. This partly explains when I bypassed using a preamp all together and tried connecting my streamer player directly to the Inspire tube amp, it was not so great. Just kinda Bleh. I use an Arcam DAC on my main system, also paired with an Arcam RPlay unit which has 0–2.15V RMS variable out. It appears this "fell short" too, a good description for the results I experienced. Not only did I need to turn up the volume up notably more so, the overall presentation of sound seemed to lose it's character, missing dynamics, almost as if it was no longer energized in a sense. What I can confirm, the moment I connected my SLP-98 tube preamp in front of the Inspire Hot Rod, the overall sound was back, sounded real nice.

[Bombadil]

One of my preamps is a Conrad Johnson PV10A. Stereophile measured its maximum output as a whopping 17.8V !!! Needless to say it does easily drive my Inspire. However to reach the same volume level with the Inspire as compared to any of my other amps requires that the volume dial be set a couple of notches higher.

[straitwire]

Picked up the chassis's today!
Starting on them tomorrow!!...i'll post more pics later...straitwire

[IMG][/IMG]

[nhparrot]

Has anyone tried KT63's in an Inspire vs 6F6G's?

[FloridaBoy]

Originally Posted by decooney

Good to know. This partly explains when I bypassed using a preamp all together and tried connecting my streamer player directly to the Inspire tube amp, it was not so great. Just kinda Bleh. I use an Arcam DAC on my main system, also paired with an Arcam RPlay unit which has 0–2.15V RMS variable out. It appears this "fell short" too, a good description for the results I experienced. Not only did I need to turn up the volume up notably more so, the overall presentation of sound seemed to lose it's character, missing dynamics, almost as if it was no longer energized in a sense. What I can confirm, the moment I connected my SLP-98 tube preamp in front of the Inspire Hot Rod, the overall sound was back, sounded real nice.

That is why I humbly suggest you acquire an Inspire preamp.

[decooney]

Originally Posted by FloridaBoy

That is why I humbly suggest you acquire an Inspire preamp.

I may just do that at some point down the road. For now, the 98 is amazing and has my best Sylvania tubes and upgraded caps in it. It's kind of a pain, I've been swapping the pre back and forth (everyone once in a while) between the Inspire and the V12R. During summer, really can't run the big V12R with 12 output tubes, so I've been keeping the Inspire hooked up lately! I already built smaller/separate speakers for the Inspire, one step closer. So, definitely a future consideration though to have a separate/matching pre for the Inspire Hot Rod. Thanks.

[FloridaBoy]

The SLP 98 was designed by...aw I forget his name.

[decooney]

Originally Posted by FloridaBoy

The SLP 98 was designed by...aw I forget his name.

yeah, and "what's his name" designed the V12/R too. In fact, he told me he still has one in his own personal collection. Thought I might part with it after I bought the inspire, but that ain't gonn happen any time soon if I can help it.