Momentum Preamp tone control questions ....

joeinid

joeinid

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Okay, this is the first time I am trying the tone controls. I am not adverse to a little corrections as needed/wanted but I have a little rant. I just noticed there is no zero point on either the treble or bass. It's either -1 or +1. This means I can not do a -1 treble with a 0 (zero/null) bass. This makes no sense to me. What the heck?

I've been trying the -1 treble with a +1 bass and I have to say I like being able to reduce the treble but the Dagostino combo seems so full and bassy that I don't need more bass.
 
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Hmmm

Are you saying if you want -1 treble it can only be -1 or +1 bass but not zero?

Is this on a read out?

What numbers do the - and + does the bass and treble go to?

Is it adjustable on the unit and the remote?
 
That's correct. No zero on either treble or bass so if I do a -1 on the treble, the bass has to be -1 or +1.

Via the remote, on or off. No adjustment.

-6 to +6 on tone controls with no zero point.
 
I've been looking for the manual online to see if it could tell us something. Can't find it.
 
That seems such a basic DOH! error in design with no zero point unless you bypass the tone controls completely. Perhaps an email and phone call to Dag is in order.

How much difference do the tone controls make?
I know when I had my Mac C2300 I invariably preferred the eq off as it intruded into the musicak flow too much.

Personally, depending on the recording I would like flat or maybe +1/2 treble with -2 or 3 bass when the bass overwhelms my room.
 
I have no issue with tone controls. In fact, I think the Dagostino combo could potentially rescue the TADs from the Shark Tank.
 
From what I understand each number is 1 db of change. I love being able to -1 or -2 the treble. BUT, I want to leave the bass ALONE! The Dag combo already seems to have more apparent bass so just by changing gear I have more bass and don't need/want any more.



So far the Dag amp and preamp is an outstanding combo. It's giving me a whole different perspective on the music. Big, big sound stage. Full meaty tone. Just wonderful. A great complement to the TADs.
 
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Joe....funnily enough, this came up today at the demo. Dan said no one makes a 13 point selector. He wanted to have +/- 6 6 range for his tone controls to give folks enough flex in shaping the music if so inclined to use the tone controls. But because there is no 13-point switches out there, you cannot have a zero point. He said if you want it at zero, turn off the tone coontrols but of course that does not answer the situation where you want to have either the treble or bass control at zero and the other one at some level of correction! I guess he could have had only +/- 5 and a zero option with his 12 point switch or if there are higher switches (14 or 16 point switches, etc...) he could have used one of those and incorporated a zero point option. You should email him and let him know you are frustrated by this and could he have opted for another switch with higher switch ponts to incorporate a zero point in the range! Seems like a design oversight to me.

What is true is that engaging the tone control made no difference to the resolution or dynamic presentation of the music. We did test the tone control while playing music, i.e., engaging it and turning it off while the music was playing and you could not here it make a difference from that perspctive.

In any case, I thought I would jump in since I literally came from the demo today.

Cyril
 
bzr said:
Joe, sounds like you're in the zone.
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Kev,

The D'Agostino combo is just outstanding. I am blown away at what I am hearing. There is something special going on between these two pieces, especially on my TADs. Holy cow!


Cyril,

Thank you so much for validating my findings. On some/most of what I play, having a -1 treble for my taste is perfect. BUT, having to add or subtract 1 bass is absurd. I can not tell you how upset I was when I found that out. Okay, I thought, here is probably the perfect antidote to my situation. Tone bypass when not wanted or needed and I could tame the treble a "tad" to my liking and be happy, happy. But, nooooooooooo. I thought I was missing something. This may not a deal breaker, especially since the sound is incredible, but I am surely disappointed.

cmalak said:
Joe....funnily enough, this came up today at the demo. Dan said no one makes a 13 point selector. He wanted to have +/- 6 6 range for his tone controls to give folks enough flex in shaping the music if so inclined to use the tone controls. But because there is no 13-point switches out there, you cannot have a zero point. He said if you want it at zero, turn off the tone coontrols but of course that does not answer the situation where you want to have either the treble or bass control at zero and the other one at some level of correction! I guess he could have had only +/- 5 and a zero option with his 12 point switch or if there are higher switches (14 or 16 point switches, etc...) he could have used one of those and incorporated a zero point option. You should email him and let him know you are frustrated by this and could he have opted for another switch with higher switch ponts to incorporate a zero point in the range! Seems like a design oversight to me.

What is true is that engaging the tone control made no difference to the resolution or dynamic presentation of the music. We did test the tone control while playing music, i.e., engaging it and turning it off while the music was playing and you could not here it make a difference from that perspective.

In any case, I thought I would jump in since I literally came from the demo today.

Cyril
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Sure seems like it could have been easily a -5 to +6 with a zero position. It would be hard to say its a deal breaker especially since almost all preamps don't have a tone control at all, but . . .
 
Jock,

You know as well as I do how incredible this preamp and amp combination sounds. Deal breaker? No. A little frustrating? Yes!

Plus, there seems no way to be able to dim or turn off the light on the dial like you can on the amps. A beacon in the night. ;)



the professor said:
Sure seems like it could have been easily a -5 to +6 with a zero position. It would be hard to say its a deal breaker especially since almost all preamps don't have a tone control at all, but . . .
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I agree 100%.

Why why why . . . Has been a common thought. And then I listen and . . . then the thought "who cares" comes to mind.
 
cmalak said:
Joe....funnily enough, this came up today at the demo. Dan said no one makes a 13 point selector. He wanted to have +/- 6 6 range for his tone controls to give folks enough flex in shaping the music if so inclined to use the tone controls. But because there is no 13-point switches out there, you cannot have a zero point. He said if you want it at zero, turn off the tone coontrols but of course that does not answer the situation where you want to have either the treble or bass control at zero and the other one at some level of correction! . . . .
Cyril
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What the tone controls need is quite obviously a separate switch to turn the bass on and off and the treble on and off. Voila. 13 point control with 12 point selectors by using separate on/off switches.
 
I'll have to see if any of these are options. Something I'm trying now is -2 treble and -1 bass on those recordings I feel need it and it seems like a fair compromise. -1 treble and+1 bass can work very well also


When the Dagostino preamp and amp are fully warmed up they sound absolutely incredible. My TADs have NEVER sounded better. It's just an amazing combo. I don't know how or why but the synergy is through the roof.
 
Either a design flaw or oversight, it should be remedied. That was one of the features I was looking forward to having and making use of.

GaryProtein said:
I hear a little voice in the background saying, "design flaw."
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joeinid said:
Either a design flaw or oversight, it should be remedied. Just when I think I've found that perfect product I get sobered up. A lot of you guys think it's only a tone control and you really don't need it, but that was one of the features I was looking forward to having and making use of.
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Joe...I think it's worth enquiring with Dan via email or phone call whether there can be a remedy (either Gary's suggestion) or putting in another switch that has more than 12 positions. You can explain to him specifically what combos you think you want but can't achieve with the current design and see what he says. He seems to be very approachable and frankly for $32K for the pre, I think it's not unreasonable for him to be responsive to customer enquiries/requests. Just my 2c. It's a beautiful product and you should have tons of "pride of onwership' action going on with that preamp. If you can solve this minor annoyance I think you will be super happy with this combo for at least 3 months (:D ok...that was mean...:D). I think you will be happy with this combo (no matter what), for a very long time but hopefully you can get this issue addressed. Good luck.
 
Cyril

The sound of the preamp and amp together is insanely great. I really have no complaints. Only a few months to go. :)
 
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