Transporter into poweramp?

[Michael16oz]

Hi and thanks for any advice offered...

I would like to buy a transporter without preamp and run it straight into a power amp (or activespeaker).... Will this combination be problematic... is the Transpoter volume control to be avoided?? What do people think of flying mole Power amps...

thanks Michael

[highdudgeon]

The best preamp is no preamp. Unless you're using other sources, running the Transporter directly to an amp will be at least as good as using the best preamp on the planet -- if not better. You will need a 1/16th hex nut to open the case and adjust the analog volume adjustment. This is very easy to do. Doing so assures protection of your speakers and no corruption due to the digital volume control.

Try it -- you'll like it!

Quick point: adjusting the analog volume control means using only the RCA outputs. For active speaker, you'll probably want to use a balanced line. In that case, using some kind of analog attentuation (Endlers are an inexpensive answer) is recommended.

Hi and thanks for any advice offered...

I would like to buy a transporter without preamp and run it straight into a power amp (or activespeaker).... Will this combination be problematic... is the Transpoter volume control to be avoided?? What do people think of flying mole Power amps...

thanks Michael

[Michael16oz]

Thanks for your quick response,,,,

So when the spec says 'Volume control is provided for all outputs' is this a digital (bit depth reducing) volume control.....?

thanks again

Michael

PS lazy me wants a remote controlable volume control.

[ceejay]

The volume control is digital, though (as per many other threads here!) you can use a decent range on it before you'll notice any quality change.

The issue is more about protecting your amp and speakers from any accidental surge - remember the transporter is entirely controlled by software! You have to assume that at some point your transporter is going to find itself at max output, and if that level will blow your speakers, you need to get some attentuation into the chain.

HTH
Ceejay

[PhilNYC]

The volume control is digital, though (as per many other threads here!) you can use a decent range on it before you'll notice any quality change.

The issue is more about protecting your amp and speakers from any accidental surge - remember the transporter is entirely controlled by software! You have to assume that at some point your transporter is going to find itself at max output, and if that level will blow your speakers, you need to get some attentuation into the chain.

HTH
Ceejay

There are hardware attenuaters that you can set for the analog outs inside the Transporter...

[highdudgeon]

Exactly -- they are clearly marked and it is easy to do. You just need a 1/16th hex wrench. They're right in front of the RCA outputs. You'll notice the markings (-30, -20, -10, 0) for L and R. At O, you will find a plastic coated jumper on each side. Just move those to -30, see how that works, and then back off from there.

There are hardware attenuaters that you can set for the analog outs inside the Transporter...

[arge]

Hi and thanks for any advice offered...

I would like to buy a transporter without preamp and run it straight into a power amp (or activespeaker).... Will this combination be problematic... is the Transpoter volume control to be avoided?? What do people think of flying mole Power amps...

thanks Michael

What Amp or Active Speakers do you have in mind?
Are you going to use the Balanced output (no built in attenuation available)?
It's all in the details ...

[ModelCitizen]

I've tested running the Transporter into my Naim NAC102 preamp and then straight into my NAP250 power amp. I prefer it into just the power amp. Your mileage may vary. :-)
MC

[Michael16oz]

Thanks for thinking about my question...

The truth is I'm not sure... I've dismantled my stereo system since I rarely use it to listen to music. I either use my Ipod with headphones or played through (at work) a Presonus Central Station into Mackie 824 speakers.. All I'm left with at home is my epos es14...

I want an ultra simple system with nothing I don't want... I'd considered:
Transporter or SB3 with external DA converter (that includes volume contol)... fed into 2xFlying Mole DAD-M100pro (I can attenuate at the amp)in to Epos es14... I'd need to evaluate the amp's first and if it does not work with the Epos speakers I'd happily lose them....

The other option I liked was feeding straight into speakers like PMC TB2S-A.. I've only heard them as nearfield monitors in a edit suite and thought them good...

I'm slightl..y keen (but can be flexible) on buying equipment that can be repurposed at work if it doesn't work out for straight music replay.... For example if I buy the PMC TB2S-A and think them wrong for music I'd stick them in an edit suite..

regards Michael

My dream would be (though I strongly suspect I wouldn't spend the money) the cheapest amp that would make PMC OB1 really sing and the least money spent elsewhere to make thier purchase possible...

[ModelCitizen]

My dream would be (though I strongly suspect I wouldn't spend the money) the cheapest amp that would make PMC OB1 really sing

Well, if you find out what this is please let me know! My NAP250 is not really driving my OB1s well enough and I've been pointed towards a Bryston amp (1450 UK pounds second hand) or two Rega Exon 3 (at £798 UK pounds each new), both costing a lot more than I want to spend. :-(
MC

[Michael16oz]

I've got two solutions for you ;-)

Sell me your OB1s and let me have your problem!

Sell me your NAP250 and start the next step..

I suspect I'm not helping..

Michael

[Wombat]

I have finaly decided myself to call Santa in November this year and bring me a Transporter. When it arrives it should directly feed my monoblocks.
I have to know what a "1/16th hex nut" is here in germany to get one before it arrives.

[Mark Lanctot]

I have finaly decided myself to call Santa in November this year and bring me a Transporter. When it arrives it should directly feed my monoblocks.
I have to know what a "1/16th hex nut" is here in germany to get one before it arrives.

It's an Allen key (hex driver). Since we can get metric hex drivers here in North America, I believe you should be able to get Imperial hex drivers in Europe. 1/16".

http://www.diracdelta.co.uk/science/source/a/l/allen%20key/allenkey.jpg

[richidoo]

Transporter is designed to run straight into an amp. The analog noise issues are much improved over SB3. And the built in resistors ar there specifically for this reason.

I think I remember Sean saying Transporter has 12 separate power supplies inside or something. Stability and noise should not be a concern, so a preamp is not necessary for attenuation or protection, anymore than you would need one for a DAC or CDP w/VC.

The Transporter does use software volume control same as SB, but even in the SB this doesn't make any noticeable change on the sound. The digital outs on either work great with software VC. Only the SB analog outs are a concern and need external attenuation.
Rich

[highdudgeon]

Excellent post.

One thing: without analogue attenuation (ie, moving the jumpers) with, at least in my experience, a 26db gain amp, there is a lot of volume. To me, all the way to the left should be silence and all the way to the right should be very loud but not wall-smashing. I experimented and found that the -20db setting was ideal (well, it was -10db for a while). This all depends on amp gain, input impedance, etc., so it is worth experimenting.

Transporter is designed to run straight into an amp. The analog noise issues are much improved over SB3. And the built in resistors ar there specifically for this reason.

I think I remember Sean saying Transporter has 12 separate power supplies inside or something. Stability and noise should not be a concern, so a preamp is not necessary for attenuation or protection, anymore than you would need one for a DAC or CDP w/VC.

The Transporter does use software volume control same as SB, but even in the SB this doesn't make any noticeable change on the sound. The digital outs on either work great with software VC. Only the SB analog outs are a concern and need external attenuation.
Rich