Thoughts on these mid-priced line stages?

[wklie]

From my understanding, if you use RCA jacks you are using the preamplifier as single ended. To take advantage of fully balanced requires XLR cabling. Please correct me if I am wrong in this belief.

You're correct, but unlike ARC, Job 225 does not have XLR input. I use Lumin XLR output instead of RCA output because Lumin uses a true balanced design, and its XLR output is better from both an engineering standpoint and users' feedback.

 

[rubato]

Thanks Peter. As STP-SE is mostly used as a passive pre, does the power cord matter?

 

[Randy Myers]

I had a Job 225... nice amp. Most of my amps are SE and the ARC in balanced. It is great that the W4S supports both.

The STP-SE operates in passive mode most of the time, however it is not strictly passive in that it does require power. My feelings are that as one of the main components in my system I want a good power cord on it.

You're correct, but unlike ARC, Job 225 does not have XLR input. I use Lumin XLR output instead of RCA output because Lumin uses a true balanced design, and its XLR output is better from both an engineering standpoint and users' feedback.