This unit, which I'm gathering is about 25 yrs old, just came into my possession through a trade with a member here. I'm using it my 2-channel vinyl setup as a passive phonostage connected to my vintage Pioneer SA-9500II Integrated amp. The unit came with a separate power supply and I let it run for about 4 days as per the recommended instructions, since it hadn't been used for quite some time. This wasn't easy as I was chomping at the bit to get at it. After the 4-day warm-up period came to its conclusion I was eager to get started, and I had a series of my favourite LP's put aside for a good listen. I wasn't expecting anything out-of-the-box so to speak, as I believe a good audition of any component takes time and repeated listening.
These are my impressions/observations after now having about 30 or so hours of listening time.
1. Remember I said that I wasn't expecting anything right out-of-the-box? Well, I was wrong. As soon as I cued up Track One (Side Two) of Stevie Wonder's most excellent compilation "Musicquarium" and the song "Superwoman", the depth and clarity of the lower octaves multiplied by at least two IMO. Gone was the muddied, muffled bass tones I was accustomed to with the internals of the Pioneer, but obviously never knew. I was not alone in this observation as my friend commented on the same within seconds.
2. A lower noise-floor. In fact, much lower. From my seating position I could never tell, but I always heard a lowlevel interference coming through the speakers when right up to them, although not always. I live in an old building so I always assumed this was part of the deal in living there.
3. There isn't one, but the lower noise floor has resulted in a very much improved clarity and defination of voices and instruments. A cymbol now sounds much closer to what a cymbol should sound like. I cannot say in all honesty that the PS Audio 4.6 is better at revealing mid and high frequencies, because I don't think it does. It's the lower noise-floor that allows me to hear a truer picture of what is on my recordings.
In addition to the unit itself it also came with a set of Herbie's Tenderfeet, which I am employing underneath the PS Audio 4.6 in my rack.
The records I used to come to the conclusion above are as follows:
Stevie Wonder - Musicquarium
Stevie Wonder - Talking Book
David Gilmour - Live In Gdansk (Echoes side)
Dexter Gordon - One Flight Up
Billy Joel - The Stranger
Alan Parsons Project - I, Robot
Rickie Lee Jones - Debut
Eric Clapton - Unplugged
Eric Clapton - Live At Budokan
Bruce Cockburn - Stealing Fire
America - Homecoming
Neil Young - Massey Hall 1971
Sinatra - At The Sands
Here is a pic:
These are my impressions/observations after now having about 30 or so hours of listening time.
1. Remember I said that I wasn't expecting anything right out-of-the-box? Well, I was wrong. As soon as I cued up Track One (Side Two) of Stevie Wonder's most excellent compilation "Musicquarium" and the song "Superwoman", the depth and clarity of the lower octaves multiplied by at least two IMO. Gone was the muddied, muffled bass tones I was accustomed to with the internals of the Pioneer, but obviously never knew. I was not alone in this observation as my friend commented on the same within seconds.
2. A lower noise-floor. In fact, much lower. From my seating position I could never tell, but I always heard a lowlevel interference coming through the speakers when right up to them, although not always. I live in an old building so I always assumed this was part of the deal in living there.
3. There isn't one, but the lower noise floor has resulted in a very much improved clarity and defination of voices and instruments. A cymbol now sounds much closer to what a cymbol should sound like. I cannot say in all honesty that the PS Audio 4.6 is better at revealing mid and high frequencies, because I don't think it does. It's the lower noise-floor that allows me to hear a truer picture of what is on my recordings.
In addition to the unit itself it also came with a set of Herbie's Tenderfeet, which I am employing underneath the PS Audio 4.6 in my rack.
The records I used to come to the conclusion above are as follows:
Stevie Wonder - Musicquarium
Stevie Wonder - Talking Book
David Gilmour - Live In Gdansk (Echoes side)
Dexter Gordon - One Flight Up
Billy Joel - The Stranger
Alan Parsons Project - I, Robot
Rickie Lee Jones - Debut
Eric Clapton - Unplugged
Eric Clapton - Live At Budokan
Bruce Cockburn - Stealing Fire
America - Homecoming
Neil Young - Massey Hall 1971
Sinatra - At The Sands
Here is a pic: