Melos Phono Preamp Experience
Peter Houck
no-loan policy. So can anyone tell me about their experiences
with either the Melos 333 Reference Phono or the Melos PS1 Gold.
Comparisons to other phono stages would be most appreciated.
Also, does anyone know any of the circuit details for either of these
pieces?
[ Sorry, but you may have the world's crappiest dealer -- djd ]
Thanks in advance,
-Peter
Jimbo304
designer of the 333 (forget his name) in the May-June '96 issue of TAS, by
Frank Doris.
Peter Houck wrote in message <756t43$321$1...@ccsi.com>...
Marty
listed to it on his system but the level change between it and its
bypass mode made it difficult to assess. I think there were definite
soundstage "improvements(?)" but this was 15 minutes on someone
else's system. The literature looks like psychobabble to me
(restores harmonic structure, etc)
My main questions are:
1. what the heck is it?
2. how can it be passive and have more gain than bypass mode (unless
they are padding down bypass mode)
3. has anyone measured it (I am thinking of taking it in to work and
putting it on a good network analyzer)
I'm told that the first version (active) got mixed reviews and that
their latest (passive) version is much improved (see reviews at
www.soundstage.com). It is also getting a lot of praise in car audio
circles.
As an engineer, I am more than a little perplexed about a passive
black box, sitting between the preamp and amp, that "improves
harmonic structure", has more gain than a bypass, etc.
Anyone with hard info on this?
Thanks,
Marty
Patrynhplo
My experience to date with the Melos has been nothing but good. It has
performed flawlessly, and sounds very good. The two 6922 tubes are due for
replacement, but that's the only maintanence needed so far. The seperate power
supply is also a plus. The sound is comparable to the Audio Research PH3, even
though I think the PH3 will give you a slightly better overall presentation.
One of the nice things about the Melos (mine anyway, and so far as I know, they
still have this) is that they have user adjustable loading. This helps if you
want to experiment with different loads, and saves you the trouble of having to
solder in a resistor. They're already there. Sorry, but circut details I
can't help you with. I do have to agree with the following statement, though:
> Sorry, but you may have the world's crappiest dealer -- djd ]
>
Time to find a new dealer. Good luck and enjoy.
Brian S.
ai...@my-dejanews.com
An associate emailed me today regarding your post below. I have
worked very closely with the folks at TDS (True Dimensional Sound)
for some time and have extensive experience with TDS. I first came
upon TDS last year after hearing the rumblings of its existence. I
took possession of one earlier in the year when first introduced and
have run their products thru virtually every conceivable audio system
imaginable, ie: mid-fi to absolute reference, Home theater (of every
configuration and caliber, mobile audio (car) and with all source
materials. I assure you of two things: first..that in EVERY audio
system I have installed it in there was a marked improvement in
overall performance in virtually all categories as per the owners of
the systems, this is NOT a subtle phenomenon,as you discovered.
Second, the technology behind TDS is unique, very real and patented.
Its end result is remarkable, in my opinion, after almost 20 years in
and out of professional high-end audio design/pursuits. Every review
I have seen of PASSIVE TDS (the only version sold to the general
consumer), has ranged from highly recommended to truly
remarkable...no small feat for ANY audio component, especially a
passive one.
I just today received initial TEF(Time Energy Frequency) and FTE(Fast
Fourier Transform) diagnostic tests from TDS in Coral Gables, Fla.,
from an independent laboratory on TDS Passive devices. The tests
confirms all TDS claims and among other things that the transfer
function of TDS is non-linear in nature, thus supporting the TDS
claim in being a non-linear amplitude enhancing circuit. The test
information is being reviewed and will be available to the public at
or around CES this coming month.
To best address your "what the heck is it ?" question, I would
strongly recommend that you visit the TDS web page at
www.TDSaudio.com or contact me directly at my email address below. I
do not want to take up to much RAH-E time on this but suffice it to
say that TDS works wonders in an audio system, and at double the
price it is one remarkable audio component.
Kirk Neal
kn...@worldnet.att.net
In article <758pf9$3...@news01.aud.alcatel.com>,
> Thanks,
> Marty
-----------== Posted via Deja News, The Discussion Network ==----------
http://www.dejanews.com/ Search, Read, Discuss, or Start Your Own
Bob Trosper
> "Marty" <ma...@hishome.com> wrote:
> > My neighbor just got a passive TDS "black box" that he likes a lot. I
> > listed to it on his system but the level change between it and its
> > bypass mode made it difficult to assess. I think there were definite
> > soundstage "improvements(?)" but this was 15 minutes on someone
> > else's system. The literature looks like psychobabble to me
> > (restores harmonic structure, etc)
> > My main questions are:
> > 1. what the heck is it?
> > 2. how can it be passive and have more gain than bypass mode (unless
> > they are padding down bypass mode)
> > 3. has anyone measured it (I am thinking of taking it in to work and
> > putting it on a good network analyzer)
> > I'm told that the first version (active) got mixed reviews and that
> > their latest (passive) version is much improved (see reviews at
> > www.soundstage.com). It is also getting a lot of praise in car audio
> > circles.
> > As an engineer, I am more than a little perplexed about a passive
> > black box, sitting between the preamp and amp, that "improves
> > harmonic structure", has more gain than a bypass, etc.
> > Anyone with hard info on this?
> > Thanks,
> > Marty
Well, from the Soundstage review
"However, there were distinct differences between the active
and the passive units. First, the gain of both passive
units was much greater than that of the active unit.
Lab tests performed by TDS confirm this. How can this
be -- for passive units to produce more gain than
their active counterpart? The full technical
explanation is very involved, but in a nutshell the
passive units rely on the available current of the
source and its own high input impedance (200k ohms at
20kHz) to produce a gain in voltage, which is even
higher than if the unit had a power supply like that
of the TDS-II. Those with inexpensive CD players
having smallish power supplies should find this added
gain beneficial to their system’s performance."
One does not, of course, get something for nothing. Evidently the
reviewer thinks you can, because according to his logic you can take
an inadequate CD player power supply and somehow increase it's
effectiveness by asking it to source MORE current which is the only
way you're going to get a voltage gain as they describe it here. Ah,
to be a critic, unbound by knowledge.
-- BT
mdem...@my-dejanews.com
ai...@my-dejanews.com wrote:
> Marty,
> The tests
> confirms all TDS claims and among other things that the transfer
> function of TDS is non-linear in nature, thus supporting the TDS
> claim in being a non-linear amplitude enhancing circuit.
Last I heard, non-linear amplitude enhancement was another name for
'distortion'. May be pleasant, but still distortion...
Michael Demeyer
Marty
Thanks for the information. I have read a number of positive reviews
and plan to "borrow" it from my neighbor over the next few weeks (as
well as upgrade my cables....lots of listening time coming up).
I will visit the TDS website.
Could you share the technical measurements as I am sure they would be
very interesting...I was planning on taking it in to work for
measurements but didn't get a chance before the holidays. As an
engineer, this intrigues me.
Best,
Marty
Marty
It can be seen at the IBM Patent Web Page.
US5361306: Apparatus and methods for enhancing an electronic audio
signal
Marty
ai...@my-dejanews.com
Bingo....you've hit upon the heart of the matter. A curious
phenomenon...distortion, and the way we relate to it. Intellectually
we attempt to understand it, yet our ears/mind blissfully fool us at
times. Art Garcia at TDS is very adept in this area, give him a shout
sometime if you want, his thoughts on the matter are very
enlightening and logical.
Kirk Neal
In article <75h0kn$m...@news01.aud.alcatel.com>,
ai...@my-dejanews.com
I'm really not at liberty to offer the data, mainly because it is
preliminary and the balance of it remains in the hands of the folks
at TDS. When they release it to me (and I am certain...others), my
first order of business will be to offer it to members of RAH-E. I am
told this will be on or around the CES in Jan/99.
All the best,
Kirk
In article <75hmp3$7...@news01.aud.alcatel.com>,
> Best,
> Marty
-----------== Posted via Deja News, The Discussion Network ==----------
jmcl...@gte.net
It's sound is warm and a bit dark. I had it running into a solid
state power amp into Vandersteen 3A speakers.
As with most equipment I own eventually I decided I "needed" something
else. (Cary pre and power amps)
The Melos is great stuff but you really should hear any gear you buy
in the context of your own system. I suggest that you dump the dealer
and find one who will allow you to audition at home. If the
alternative dealer does not sell Melos so be it. THere are lots of
great sounding preamps out there and give what he has a listen. At
the price point you are considering you should have not problem being
very satisfied.
good luck
Jack
"Chance Favors the Prepared Mind"