[Gerry]

For my recording setup, I've managed to get to the stage where I'm
quite happy with with my inbound signal chain (Schoeps cmc541 mics -
Great River MP-2 preamp - LynxOne soundcard) and I'd like to start
looking at my outbound chain.

I've been using my hifi which consists of an Audiolab 8000s
integrated amplifier (http://www.audiolab.co.uk/model.php?id=1) and
Mission 251 speakers.

Specs for the amplifer a
Rated output power 60 W per channel into rated load impedance (8?),
95 W
Typical output power 72 W per channel into rated load impedance (8?),
Preamplifier input impedance 20 k? nominal
Preamplifier maximum output Greater than 7.76 V rms
Power amplifier input impedance 47 k? nominal
Frequency response (-3 dB) 1 Hz - 65 kHz
Frequency response (±0.5dB) 20 Hz - 20 kHz
Channel separation Greater than 60 dB at 1 kHz
Crosstalk rejection Greater than 80 dB at 1 kHz
Operating temperature range 10 - 35ºC
Power consumption Less than 300 W Idle/Power
Dimensions (WxHxD - mm) 445 x 74 x 335

I was thinking of getting the monitors first I'm quite keen on the
Dynaudio BM5) and so was wondering if this amp would be able to drive
them. Would going for a pair of active monitors with a small mixer be
a better bet?

Many Thanks in Advance,
Gerry Nelson

[Mike Rivers]

On Mar 10, 5:47 am, "Gerry" wrote:

Specs for the amplifer a
Rated output power 60 W per channel into rated load impedance

I was thinking of getting the monitors first I'm quite keen on the
Dynaudio BM5) and so was wondering if this amp would be able to drive
them.

I think that 60 watts/channel might be kind of skimpy for those
monitors. Sure, you'll get some sound out of them, but it might not
have enough headroom for peaks at normal playing volume.

Would going for a pair of active monitors with a small mixer be
a better bet?

Active monitors assure that the amplifier is properly matched to the
speaker, so that's a good idea. But keep the quality of the Dynaudio
speakers you were considering - get the powered version, or something
as good. Don't get powered speakers that (only) cost as much as the
passive Dynaudios or you'll take a hit in quality.

A small mixer is a good idea for tracking in a small studio because it
gives you a way to directly monitor your input when overdubbing (no
latency in the headphones) but it all depends on how you're going to
work. With your only mics being a fine pair of Schoeps, you might not
be doing track-by-track recording.

You might want to look into a "monitor controller" such as the Mackie
Big Knob, Presonus Central Station, or on the cheap, the Samson C-
Console, with your Lynx card as the primary input source. That will
give you a handy volume control up front for your powered monitors and
some other switching of inputs and outputs. Or, even a simple in-line
volume control like the one offered by NHT or Coleman. The idea is to
have as little as possible in the signal path between your sound card
output and speakers, but be able to control the listening volume
without having to go around back or use a mouse.

[Gerry]

On Mar 10, 11:01 pm, "Mike Rivers" wrote:
good advice snipped

Mike,

Thanks very much for taking the time to reply. I'll be keeping your
advice and tips in mind. The NHT passive volume control looks quite
interesting for not much outlay.

Kind Regards,
Gerry

[Arny Krueger]

"Gerry" wrote in message
ps.com
On Mar 10, 11:01 pm, "Mike Rivers"
wrote: good advice snipped

Mike,

Thanks very much for taking the time to reply. I'll be
keeping your advice and tips in mind. The NHT passive
volume control looks quite interesting for not much
outlay.

Aren't they still $150 list?

[Mike Rivers]

On Mar 11, 7:12 am, "Arny Krueger" wrote:

The NHT passive volume control
Aren't they still $150 list?

Might be $125, but yeah, people have different ideas of what's not
too expensive. It's cheaper than a similar one that Coleman makes, but
I think Coleman's has multiple inputs and outputs.

I finally remembered what the other one I was thinking of was. The A-
Designs ATTY http://www.adesignsaudio.com/atty.htm

[Gerry]

On Mar 11, 10:12 pm, "Arny Krueger" wrote:

Aren't they still $150 list?

http://www.dxcstore.com/shop/shop_su...00040016100000
has it for $100 which compared to the rest of my inbound chain, isn't
much especially compared to the Big Knob.

Gerry

[Arny Krueger]

"Gerry" wrote in message
oups.com
On Mar 11, 10:12 pm, "Arny Krueger"
wrote:

Aren't they still $150 list?

http://www.dxcstore.com/shop/shop_su...00040016100000
has it for $100

But, out of stock. A price with no stock to back it is a pretty empty
thing.

which compared to the rest of my inbound
chain, isn't much especially compared to the Big Knob.

The Big Knob is an order of magnitude more buttons and switches.

For the record, I own 2 PVCs that I bought when Vergence collapsed.

[Gerry]

On Mar 11, 11:20 pm, "Arny Krueger" wrote:
"Gerry" wrote in message

oups.com

On Mar 11, 10:12 pm, "Arny Krueger"
wrote:

Aren't they still $150 list?

http://www.dxcstore.com/shop/shop_su...00040016100000
has it for $100

But, out of stock. A price with no stock to back it is a pretty empty
thing.

Ok, http://www.listenup.com/LISTENUP_DP_21769752.html then but there's
no way to add it to your shopping cart. Does nobody sell it online
then?

All the reviews I've found point to a $100 street price.

which compared to the rest of my inbound
chain, isn't much especially compared to the Big Knob.

The Big Knob is an order of magnitude more buttons and switches.

Understood but I'm not too concerned about what Mike's various
suggestions can do outside of what I need, ie. a volume control for
active monitors that doesn't add anything to the signal. Compared to
the Coleman Audio offerings or the Big Knob, the PVC doesn't cost too
much.


For the record, I own 2 PVCs that I bought when Vergence collapsed.

What monitors are you using, Arny?

Kind Regards,
Gerry