Topic: Oade 248-> Marantz 661 Combo

[stevetoney]

Thanks for those links Ian.  I may look into it further, but I'm more inclined to find a deck to match the 248 than to add more boxes in the line.  I'm going to test a HDP2 on loan from another TS.com member and see if it works any better - also giving me a chance to test the 44-> 248 sound out if it does.  If it works and I like the sound, then I'll make a switch.  If I don't like the 248 sound with the 44's, then I'll keep the 661 and consider a different preamp.

I'm gonna bet that the 248 will kick butt with the VM44's.  When I first got my m248, I was OK with the sound, but the more I've used it the more I've come to respect and enjoy this preamp.  I only wish that it had an external powering option, although I've given more than a couple of thoughts to putting a hole in the side of the box and jumpering in a battery connector.

[F0CKER]

I'm inclined to think the two will match really well.  From what I've heard of the 44's, and through my limited use of them, I think it's a perfect match.  The 248 is definitely a unique sound, IMO.

[SmokinJoe]

I think these impedance transformers are probably the same thing that's in those boxes, and they don't take up as much room.  I have the Radshack ones and use them to run unbalanced > balanced > R4 quite a bit.
http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2062444&filterName=Cable+type&filterValue=Audio+adapters
http://www.hosatech.com/product/340100/MIT-129/_/Impedance_Transformer%2C_14_in_TS_to_XLR3M

[stevetoney]

I think these impedance transformers are probably the same thing that's in those boxes, and they don't take up as much room.  I have the Radshack ones and use them to run unbalanced > balanced > R4 quite a bit.
http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2062444&filterName=Cable+type&filterValue=Audio+adapters
http://www.hosatech.com/product/340100/MIT-129/_/Impedance_Transformer%2C_14_in_TS_to_XLR3M

I'm probably the wrong guy to respond cause I haven't used any of these products (other than being familiar with Focker's root problem), but my concern with these things is that, yes they might solve the balanced/unbalanced problem to eliminate XLR hum, but they wouldn't address the issue related to the pro/consumer -14db gain difference.

OTOH, Focker, if you're able to use the XLRs with the switch in either the 'mic-in' or 'line-in' position without humming, perhaps you'd no longer need to worry about using the separate 1/8 inch line in jack.

[OFOTD]

I only wish that it had an external powering option, although I've given more than a couple of thoughts to putting a hole in the side of the box and jumpering in a battery connector.

One exists here in Dallas.   It was modified here locally as well.   Next time I see the owner i'll ask to pry into the 248 and see what was done.

[F0CKER]

That's something I'd be interested in as well.

[stevetoney]

The 248 has a single 12V battery inside...two wires connecting the battery to the rest of the preamp. 

I'm no electrician (caveat emptor), but pretty sure all you need to do is wire up a connector with a 'parallel' wiring configuration (as opposed to 'series'...electricity 101) and then hook up an external battery that supplies 12V with a connector that has the same polarity as the internal battery.

My thoughts were to either drill a hole in the side of the 248 box and run the wires outside of the box to the connector, or just find a spare location on the exterior of the 248 box to mount the connector onto and wire it up on the inside.  The external battery of course would have a connector that mates up to this connector.  You'd also need a battery charger...the charger would be wired up with the same connector as 248 (not the battery).

[jbell]

Sound like you need to sell me the 661 and grab a new deck!!      JK

[SmokinJoe]

I think these impedance transformers are probably the same thing that's in those boxes, and they don't take up as much room.  I have the Radshack ones and use them to run unbalanced > balanced > R4 quite a bit.
http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2062444&filterName=Cable+type&filterValue=Audio+adapters
http://www.hosatech.com/product/340100/MIT-129/_/Impedance_Transformer%2C_14_in_TS_to_XLR3M

I'm probably the wrong guy to respond cause I haven't used any of these products (other than being familiar with Focker's root problem), but my concern with these things is that, yes they might solve the balanced/unbalanced problem to eliminate XLR hum, but they wouldn't address the issue related to the pro/consumer -14db gain difference.

OTOH, Focker, if you're able to use the XLRs with the switch in either the 'mic-in' or 'line-in' position without humming, perhaps you'd no longer need to worry about using the separate 1/8 inch line in jack.

Well, I assumed he would then go in the XLR "mic in" jacks on the 661, which would resolve the gain issue.

[stevetoney]

I think these impedance transformers are probably the same thing that's in those boxes, and they don't take up as much room.  I have the Radshack ones and use them to run unbalanced > balanced > R4 quite a bit.
http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2062444&filterName=Cable+type&filterValue=Audio+adapters
http://www.hosatech.com/product/340100/MIT-129/_/Impedance_Transformer%2C_14_in_TS_to_XLR3M

I'm probably the wrong guy to respond cause I haven't used any of these products (other than being familiar with Focker's root problem), but my concern with these things is that, yes they might solve the balanced/unbalanced problem to eliminate XLR hum, but they wouldn't address the issue related to the pro/consumer -14db gain difference.

OTOH, Focker, if you're able to use the XLRs with the switch in either the 'mic-in' or 'line-in' position without humming, perhaps you'd no longer need to worry about using the separate 1/8 inch line in jack.

Well, I assumed he would then go in the XLR "mic in" jacks on the 661, which would resolve the gain issue.

 

[F0CKER]

Finally had a chance to run the Miabs and the 248.  Worth the wait, this is the combo I've been searching for quite some time.  I love the way the Milabs match with the 248, very natural fitting much like the schoeps match with the 248 so well.  If anyone's interested, here's the recording from the Heavy Pets Thursday night as a reference.  http://bt.etree.org/details.php?id=535312&edited=1.  Obviously only one show with them, I'll need to tape in some different rooms, but I really like what I hear with this combo so far.

[ArchivalAudio]

F0CKER Glad you  like the VM 44's with the M248 - yes run the combo some more and share your results!
super cool
--Ian