Topic: Using the Grace 901 as a hi-fi preamp

[chris]

Hey,

I finally found a 901 recently (for a good price), and using the unit as a standalone DAC in my hi-fi.  Either way, I was thinking of running the unit as a preamp in the system as well.  I've found (to my surprise) that this little toy can handle a variety of inputs (analog and digi).

I was just curious if anyone else had any thoughts regarding using a headphone preamp for hi-fi playback.  For what it's worth, I decided that the analog inputs helps the signal from my SACD player.  I'm very curious how this will sound if I run my TT through it.



Thanks,
Chris E.

[Genghis Cougar Mellen Khan]

Hey,

I finally found a 901 recently (for a good price), and using the unit as a standalone DAC in my hi-fi.  Either way, I was thinking of running the unit as a preamp in the system as well.  I've found (to my surprise) that this little toy can handle a variety of inputs (analog and digi).

I was just curious if anyone else had any thoughts regarding using a headphone preamp for hi-fi playback.  For what it's worth, I decided that the analog inputs helps the signal from my SACD player.  I'm very curious how this will sound if I run my TT through it.

Thanks,
Chris E.

Jason Sobel's setup: http://taperssection.com/index.php?topic=39602.msg509697#msg509697

My m902 is my DAC/pre, picked up for the exact purpose.  I couldn't be happier, plus it takes up minimal space.  I needed a pre and my DAC could only accommodate 1 source AND I really wanted a nice headphone amp. It has an input for everything that I want in my playback, I couldn't do that for even close to the same price.

 

[JasonSobel]

indeed, the 901 works very well as a pre-amp.  in fact, so many people were using it this way, that Grace added RCA outputs to the m902, to make it easier for people to use as a pre-amp.  that's the only "downside" of the 901, that the only outputs are 1/4" jacks, so you need a custom cable for 1/4" > RCA connectors.  a while back, I had leegeddy make me a nice custom silver cable that I've been using.

as linked in that playback phot thread, that's my 901 > grado rs-2 headphones.  since that thread, I've gone through a couple of amps, and I now have the 901 matched with a pair of Channel Islands Audio VMB-1 monoblocks as my amp.  it's fantastic, go for it.

 - Jason

[chris]

Thanks guys for the input.  I pulled my AE-3 modded preamp from the chain and have the 901 running straight to my zen.  Sounds real nice.  I'm planning to look under the hood of the 901 to check out the goods on the preamp section.

So far, real impressed.  I assume that all the inputs work simultaneously.  Again, I'm thinking of running my TT throught the rca inputs and the SACD signal through the balanced inputs.  On the digi side, run the redbook (toslink) and 24bit signal from my Dell (coax).

This should be interesting.

Again thanks for the response.

C Evans

[Genghis Cougar Mellen Khan]

So far, real impressed.  I assume that all the inputs work simultaneously.  Again, I'm thinking of running my TT throught the rca inputs and the SACD signal through the balanced inputs.  On the digi side, run the redbook (toslink) and 24bit signal from my Dell (coax).

This should be interesting.

Again thanks for the response.

C Evans

Does your TT have a built in preamp?

[pjdavep]

So far, real impressed.  I assume that all the inputs work simultaneously.  Again, I'm thinking of running my TT throught the rca inputs and the SACD signal through the balanced inputs.  On the digi side, run the redbook (toslink) and 24bit signal from my Dell (coax).

Chris,

Unfortunately, this is not the case.  I am not sure about the toslink and coax inputs working simultaneously, but if the balanced inputs are plugged in, then that is what the 901 tries to pull a signal from.  I use my 901 at work and have the SACD feeding into the RCA inputs, while my computer is hooked into the XLRs.  I have to unplug the XLRs whenever I wanted to listen to an SACD.

Apparently the m902 got around this by providing an input selector on the front.

Later,
  pjdavep

[JasonSobel]

So far, real impressed.  I assume that all the inputs work simultaneously.  Again, I'm thinking of running my TT throught the rca inputs and the SACD signal through the balanced inputs.  On the digi side, run the redbook (toslink) and 24bit signal from my Dell (coax).

Chris,

Unfortunately, this is not the case.  I am not sure about the toslink and coax inputs working simultaneously, but if the balanced inputs are plugged in, then that is what the 901 tries to pull a signal from.  I use my 901 at work and have the SACD feeding into the RCA inputs, while my computer is hooked into the XLRs.  I have to unplug the XLRs whenever I wanted to listen to an SACD.

Apparently the m902 got around this by providing an input selector on the front.

Later,
  pjdavep

you can have both the optical and the coax S/PDIF connected at the same time.  if both are sending a signal, it'll choose the optical signal.  to get it to read the coax digi signal, you just need to turn off the player sending optical signal, but no need to unplug the connector...

if both the coax S/PDIF and the optical are connected, the preference goes to the optical connector, if there is a signal.  I used to have my CD player hooked up into the optical, and my DVD player going into the Coax.  but I didn't have to unplug the optical to get the coax input to work, I just

[chris]

Okay, thanks for the clarification.  I knew it was too good to be true regarding the inputs.  I may have to come up w/a splitter or something for the rca inputs (to handle 2 sources).  It's strange that unit locks in on balanced input and does on any other input.  I wonder if this happens if there is NO signal coming into that input.  Maybe you've already answered this......

Also, I'm having Don Garber build me his FI yph phono stage.  It's going to take another 12 weeks.........and I just sold my other phono stage.  Oh well, no LP listening for awhile. Although, digital is sounding better than ever.

[pjdavep]

Okay, thanks for the clarification.  I knew it was too good to be true regarding the inputs.  I may have to come up w/a splitter or something for the rca inputs (to handle 2 sources).  It's strange that unit locks in on balanced input and does on any other input.  I wonder if this happens if there is NO signal coming into that input.  Maybe you've already answered this......

I just checked this, and apparently if you simply have the XLRs plugged in (with nothing plugged in at the source), you can still use the RCAs.  When I plug the miniplug end into my computer soundcard, that is when the 901 will not use the RCA input.  That's good to know that the optical can be used simultaneously so long as it's not getting an active signal.

Later,
   pjdavep

[chris]

Agreed.  I just recieved an update from Grace.  As mentioned before, it looks like Grace has solved the issue w/the 902. 

"Thanks for your email and we are glad to hear that you are enjoying the model 901.  There is no internal solution for routing multiple analog inputs into the model 901.  The input amplifier stage is shared between the balanced and unbalanced connectors.  This is something that the m902 addresses.  It allows you to have all inputs (analog and digital) connected simultaneously with front panel selection of the monitor source.

For your application I would recommend an external switching box.  This will allow you to select between multiple inputs.  A few options include the Manley Slipjack http://www.manleylabs.com/containerpages/skipjack.html and the Coleman Audio MS6 http://www.colemanaudio.com/

[BC]

For your application I would recommend an external switching box.  This will allow you to select between multiple inputs.  A few options include the Manley Slipjack http://www.manleylabs.com/containerpages/skipjack.html and the Coleman Audio MS6 http://www.colemanaudio.com/

You can also get a switchbox from radio shack that I am guessing will be cheaper than the above options. I have a video switchbox from there that I use, just feeding the audio inputs.

[jpschust]

For your application I would recommend an external switching box.  This will allow you to select between multiple inputs.  A few options include the Manley Slipjack http://www.manleylabs.com/containerpages/skipjack.html and the Coleman Audio MS6 http://www.colemanaudio.com/

You can also get a switchbox from radio shack that I am guessing will be cheaper than the above options. I have a video switchbox from there that I use, just feeding the audio inputs.

yah but ive tried the rat shack and similar boxes- they are noisy as hell.

[chris]

The added noise was my fear as well.  Decware makes a nice rotary box.....a high quality, low profile box is hard to come by!

[jpschust]

The added noise was my fear as well.  Decware makes a nice rotary box.....a high quality, low profile box is hard to come by!

ive never heard the manley labs box but if its built the same way their other gear is then it's gonna be amazing.

[chris]

I'm sure it's nice but it's also $800 or so.  For a switch box???