Topic: UA-5>AD500e test ?

[Kindguy]

Just seeing if y'all think this will work. I wanted to compare 2 sources & test the 500e.

480>warm UA-5
480>warm UA-5>AD500e

I can use JB3 for one & D8 for the other.

Could I run optical out of the UA-5>500e>JB3
Then run the dat straight out the UA-5

Any suggestions or comments would be appreciated.

Thanks
Jeff~

[Brian Skalinder]

Yeah, that should work.  You'll want to calibrate the AD500 to the UA5 (I think) so the levels are the same reaching each ADC.

[Lee]

If you plan on running that way for any extended period of time, you might want to set the gain controls to only go through the recessed calpots and not the knobs.  There's a way to do that with jumper configurations inside the 500e, lemme see if I can find my manual and let you know what's up.

As of right now, since I'm running a fixed gain pre, I have the calpots disables and all the gain control run through the knobs.  Just a matter of personal preference I guess.

[Kindguy]

I just want to try it out & see how it sounds.

I really picked up the 500e for my future rig. Not to run it off the UA-5.

I also have no idea how to calibrate the 500 to the UA-5?

Thanks for checking that for me Lee.

T+ to the both of you!  

[Craig T]

In case you didn't know this, the analog output of the UA5 is after your input passes through the a/d and d/a converters and another gain stage.

While the a/d in the ad500e is good, you're introducing additional noise and coloration from the UA5's d/a and output gain stage.  I would think you'd get better results just recording from the UA5.

I realize you plan on using the ad500e from a different preamp and just want to try running it, but I just wanted to point out this isn't an ideal setup and might not be a good "test" to see how it sounds.  You're actually comparing the UA5's a/d to the UA5's a/d + d/a + output gain + ad500e's a/d.

I ran an ad500e for over a year (changed to v2>ad1000, v2>mod-sbm1, v3, wmod-UA5).  Nice unit, but I have serious doubts its a step up from the wmod-UA5.  Definitely depends on the preamp you'll use with the ad500e, but even if close, the UA5 wins for functionality/ease of use.

[Brian Skalinder]

You're actually comparing the UA5's a/d to the UA5's a/d + d/a + output gain + ad500e's a/d.

Great point!  Forgot about this onem, even though it's clearly labelled on the block diagram on the UA5 itself.

[Kindguy]

Thanks Craig T+

I'll just hold off on trying it out.