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In the Forum: Analog Playback
In the Thread: I need a “second-type” phonostage.
Post Subject: DACT et aliaPosted by Gregm on: 5/31/2006
I am somewhat familiar with the dact: I used it in non controlled manner but familiar environment; it was assembled by someone else who also provided the necessary power supply; it was in two chassis about 15x15x~30 cm each (one for ps), so the equaliser part was easily placed in a practical position vs the rest; I used no active line preamplification stage (just a tvc); no measurements available (I just listened).
So.. assuming something is better than nothing, here goes:

No immediate anomalies relating to variations in the input signal.. the "energy response" (for wont of a better expression) seemed stable and correct especially in the mid-range. Mahler did not sound like Bruckner: you understand what the musicians want to play (and, basically, how they want to play).

OTOH the "relative energy" in the frequency spectrum was a bit lacking (e.g. the midbass region vs. mid+upper-mid range) and the extension in the higher frequencies seemed diminished. This was puzzling and I tried to find where the quasi low-pass filter was -- but couldn't find it (they have a XkHz control switch somehwere -- that wasn't it). A small thing maybe -- but this was probably the reason I heard notes disappearing below easy audibility a bit too quickly ("decay" and "low-level detail" in audio-moronic).

On the whole an OK/good phono because it correlates you to the input signal -- rather than introduce its own "improvements" to what the silly maestro was doing (for example: when the phono manages to bring the percussion in front of the orchestra, the violins in the back-stage and the soprano in-between the two).

Another phono I liked better (but again with this puzzling fall in hi-fre energy -- but less so, and with better "sound" energy escaping its circuit) is called ASR "mini basis". It's bigger (about as big as the two dact chassis above put together) & ready-made. It's the small brother of a super-deluxe, ref/ultimate, etc, offering that was fashionable some years ago. The "asr mini" costs ~800-900. It too has max 80db gain & the usual input adjustments.
Problem: I can't find any meaningful info on this thing except for this: http://www.manger-audio.co.uk/amplifiers-asr-basis.htm

Cheers

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