konut
2013-11-19 23:51:13 UTC
This is part 1 of a review of the Tortuga Audio LDR1 passive volume
control, or passive preamp, as some like to call it.
http://www.tortugaaudio.com/
There was a delay in getting a newly implemented control software
chip due to refinements that were required after beta testing. Part 2
will consist of a comparison between the original chip and the new chip.
I felt compelled to post my thoughts while they were fresh in, what
little is left of, my mind.
My system consists of a Sony BDP S580 BluRay player hooked up via a
15ft length of DH Labs SilverSonic D75 coax BNC/RCA adapter->BNC to a
Bryston BDA-1 DAC(Mojo Audio PC). The single ended out then goes to
Creek OBH-12 passive pre via a 26" pair of Sweet Spot Reveal "Silver"
interconnects then from the Creek to a pair of W4S SX500 mono amps(W4S
P-1 PCs) via a 3ft pair of Grover Huffman ICs. A 3ft pair of Anti-Cables
go from the amps to Aether Audio Black Boxes, Aether Audio Timepiece
Minis and VMPS Super tweeters(facing backwards). The amps are plugged
into the wall, and eveything else in plugged into an APC S15 power
conditioner and Belkin PureAV PF60.The LDR1 replaces the Creek.
I have not used an active pre in almost 20 years. My system is
optimized for use with a passive pre. The Bryston DAC was selected
because of its 2.3V, 50ohm, discrete analog output, and reliability. The
W4S amps were chosen for their high gain, low noise and distortion, and
relatively high, for ICE power type amps, input impedance of 60k ohms.
ICs are short and low capacitance. No accommodations were made to
substitute the Creek with the Tortuga.
I've been on the hunt for a replacement for the Creek for some
time. To be sure, the Creek is an entry level passive but offers 3 input
switching and remote so it met my needs. The replacements that I have
considered over the years all have some perceived weakness. Mostly they
offered no, to me, significant increase in sound quality commensurate
with their price. AFAIK, there are only 3 methods of implementing
passive pres; resisters, transformers, and light dependent resisters.
Each method has its assets and liabilities. It wasn't until the Tortuga
came along that I felt there was something that minimized the minuses
and maximized the pluses and justified the asking price. I jumped at the
opportunity to secure a spot on the audition tour that was offered.
I received the unit on Halloween. Trick or treat? It is housed in a
nondescript black case with a window for the infrared remote receiver,
blue lettering, a black knurled knob, and an on/off blue LED that some
might find too bright. After substituting the LDR1 for the Creek I got
no sound. I called Morten to see what could possibly be wrong. He
indicated that there was not much that could go wrong. When installing
the unit I had double checked that I had made the correct input/output
connections, as I have made that mistake in the past. While on the phone
it occurred to me that maybe I had forgotten to turn my amps back on.
That, indeed, was the case. How embarrassing. I had a nice chat with
Morten, indicated all was well, and he could not have been more cordial.
I had tricked myself and now for the treat.
It became immediately apparent that the LDR1 was a more
transparent component than the Creek. At 3 times the price, one should
expect that. What they had in common was the black background, low/no
distortion, and wide sound stage. The LDR1 improves on the Creek in a
number of different areas.
Leading edge attack transients are more delineated throughout
the frequency range. This was most noticeable with all types of
percussion. Snare, cymbals, toms, and kick had much more snap and
precision.
The mid-bass on down seemed to gain a few extra db of authority.
Not lumpy mind you, but a smooth fullness contributing a sense of
realism to whatever instrument was in that range. The extra degree of
sub 40hz info gave an increased sense of acoustic space.
Low level detail increased to a great degree. Previously obscured
detail was laid bare. Each instrument and voice gained, not only an
extra dimension in space but, resolution giving a sense of the artists
emotional intent.
It seemed like the LDR1 was letting more signal through. I was
listening at levels above my usual, 85db-95db, to levels of 100bd+ as
everything just sounded so good. Some discs which I had been able to
turn up all the way with the Creek, and in theory should be the same as
a bypass, were needed to be restrained a bit as not to push the amps,
and/or speakers, past their limits.
There was a greater sense of dynamics, compered to the Creek, at
all volume levels. Greatly anticipating the new chip to see if this is
expanded.
If I were to change anything I would give some sense of the volume
going up and down other than just the aural evidence. As it is the blue
LED flashes slowly when either the volume is all the way up, or all the
way down. There is an enter button on the remote which causes the LED to
flash rapidly and I would prefer this sense of feedback when raising and
lowering the volume. This is the way the Creek works but this is by no
means a deal breaker for me. I would also like a less bright LED, but,
again, not a deal breaker.
I listen to a wide variety of music. I pulled out discs that I had
not listened to in years and probably listened to more music, since
receiving the LDR1, than I had listened to in the past 6 months. I was
given a renewed sense of excitement that I had been missing for a long
time. I can't think of higher praise. As a casualty of the part-time
economy I shall have to find a way to acquire one of these.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
konut's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=1596
View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=100396
control, or passive preamp, as some like to call it.
http://www.tortugaaudio.com/
There was a delay in getting a newly implemented control software
chip due to refinements that were required after beta testing. Part 2
will consist of a comparison between the original chip and the new chip.
I felt compelled to post my thoughts while they were fresh in, what
little is left of, my mind.
My system consists of a Sony BDP S580 BluRay player hooked up via a
15ft length of DH Labs SilverSonic D75 coax BNC/RCA adapter->BNC to a
Bryston BDA-1 DAC(Mojo Audio PC). The single ended out then goes to
Creek OBH-12 passive pre via a 26" pair of Sweet Spot Reveal "Silver"
interconnects then from the Creek to a pair of W4S SX500 mono amps(W4S
P-1 PCs) via a 3ft pair of Grover Huffman ICs. A 3ft pair of Anti-Cables
go from the amps to Aether Audio Black Boxes, Aether Audio Timepiece
Minis and VMPS Super tweeters(facing backwards). The amps are plugged
into the wall, and eveything else in plugged into an APC S15 power
conditioner and Belkin PureAV PF60.The LDR1 replaces the Creek.
I have not used an active pre in almost 20 years. My system is
optimized for use with a passive pre. The Bryston DAC was selected
because of its 2.3V, 50ohm, discrete analog output, and reliability. The
W4S amps were chosen for their high gain, low noise and distortion, and
relatively high, for ICE power type amps, input impedance of 60k ohms.
ICs are short and low capacitance. No accommodations were made to
substitute the Creek with the Tortuga.
I've been on the hunt for a replacement for the Creek for some
time. To be sure, the Creek is an entry level passive but offers 3 input
switching and remote so it met my needs. The replacements that I have
considered over the years all have some perceived weakness. Mostly they
offered no, to me, significant increase in sound quality commensurate
with their price. AFAIK, there are only 3 methods of implementing
passive pres; resisters, transformers, and light dependent resisters.
Each method has its assets and liabilities. It wasn't until the Tortuga
came along that I felt there was something that minimized the minuses
and maximized the pluses and justified the asking price. I jumped at the
opportunity to secure a spot on the audition tour that was offered.
I received the unit on Halloween. Trick or treat? It is housed in a
nondescript black case with a window for the infrared remote receiver,
blue lettering, a black knurled knob, and an on/off blue LED that some
might find too bright. After substituting the LDR1 for the Creek I got
no sound. I called Morten to see what could possibly be wrong. He
indicated that there was not much that could go wrong. When installing
the unit I had double checked that I had made the correct input/output
connections, as I have made that mistake in the past. While on the phone
it occurred to me that maybe I had forgotten to turn my amps back on.
That, indeed, was the case. How embarrassing. I had a nice chat with
Morten, indicated all was well, and he could not have been more cordial.
I had tricked myself and now for the treat.
It became immediately apparent that the LDR1 was a more
transparent component than the Creek. At 3 times the price, one should
expect that. What they had in common was the black background, low/no
distortion, and wide sound stage. The LDR1 improves on the Creek in a
number of different areas.
Leading edge attack transients are more delineated throughout
the frequency range. This was most noticeable with all types of
percussion. Snare, cymbals, toms, and kick had much more snap and
precision.
The mid-bass on down seemed to gain a few extra db of authority.
Not lumpy mind you, but a smooth fullness contributing a sense of
realism to whatever instrument was in that range. The extra degree of
sub 40hz info gave an increased sense of acoustic space.
Low level detail increased to a great degree. Previously obscured
detail was laid bare. Each instrument and voice gained, not only an
extra dimension in space but, resolution giving a sense of the artists
emotional intent.
It seemed like the LDR1 was letting more signal through. I was
listening at levels above my usual, 85db-95db, to levels of 100bd+ as
everything just sounded so good. Some discs which I had been able to
turn up all the way with the Creek, and in theory should be the same as
a bypass, were needed to be restrained a bit as not to push the amps,
and/or speakers, past their limits.
There was a greater sense of dynamics, compered to the Creek, at
all volume levels. Greatly anticipating the new chip to see if this is
expanded.
If I were to change anything I would give some sense of the volume
going up and down other than just the aural evidence. As it is the blue
LED flashes slowly when either the volume is all the way up, or all the
way down. There is an enter button on the remote which causes the LED to
flash rapidly and I would prefer this sense of feedback when raising and
lowering the volume. This is the way the Creek works but this is by no
means a deal breaker for me. I would also like a less bright LED, but,
again, not a deal breaker.
I listen to a wide variety of music. I pulled out discs that I had
not listened to in years and probably listened to more music, since
receiving the LDR1, than I had listened to in the past 6 months. I was
given a renewed sense of excitement that I had been missing for a long
time. I can't think of higher praise. As a casualty of the part-time
economy I shall have to find a way to acquire one of these.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
konut's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=1596
View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=100396