pulled trigger on a Channel Islands Audio VPC-2 passive pre

[ohskigod]

always wanted to go the passive pre route. heard good things about the channel islands. this one popped up on ebay for 200.00 with the 2 outputs (making it easy to integrate into my biamp set up.

figured trying can hurt, and can unload it without losing too much cheddar.
I figure gain wont be an issue, since I barely go above 10:00 on my Anthem Pre2l.

will update what the results are.

[JimBRICK]

http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showthread.php?t=52918

this one wouldnt do ya? and its way cheaper from a polkie

[ohskigod]

yeah, I noticed that, but i need the 2 outputs, hence getting the vpc-2, and not the vpc-1

same price as what Russ was selling it for about a year or so ago, so I figured the price was right.

[zombie boy 2000]

No worries... I should probably update the thread to reflect the difference.
Congrats! I'm always really curious about everyone's experience with a passive. I've had two different one's in my rig before. Sometimes they work. Sometimes they don't. Very system dependent.

What's the gain on your Anthem?

[michael_w]

Argh... I have a minty vpc2 (from Russ) for the same price shipped in the FM. Should really have bumped that, huh? :p

It's a cool little piece and would make an awesome and very compact rig with a nicely modded t-amp. What I liked about mine the most was that it was dead quiet and really clean.

[ohskigod]

Argh... I have a minty vpc2 (from Russ) for the same price shipped in the FM. Should really have bumped that, huh? :p

It's a cool little piece and would make an awesome and very compact rig with a nicely modded t-amp. What I liked about mine the most was that it was dead quiet and really clean.


aaaaaahhhhhh!!!!!!! you would have saved me 13 bucks. oh well, whatcha gonna do.

Zombie,

as sensitive as these passive pre's seem to be to length of interconnects (due to resistance or something), I really did not want to have a single output with a y splitter. believe me, I was torn :D


I know the second output can be variable or fixed (used as a home theater bypass) Apparently its switched on the inside somewhere, will have to looka t it when I get it. unless someone here happens to know.

[RuSsMaN]

It is switchable via a jumper on the inside of the unit. The default should be variable (from the factory).

[michael_w]

You know how computer harddrives and cd drives have a little jumper on the back to select master / slave / cs? It's basically one of those on the circuit board. Takes fives minutes to switch it over.

[zombie boy 2000]

I almost snagged Michael's, but all I needed was one set of outputs. Call it Karma:D

[reeltrouble1]

It will be interesting to see how it works Lou, CI is a company on my list one day I will take a sidetrack on the path for them.

RT1

[steveinaz]

pics man, pics.

[ohskigod]

It will be interesting to see how it works Lou, CI is a company on my list one day I will take a sidetrack on the path for them.

RT1


I knew if I was going to do anything in the pre department, it would have to be something completly different. to get a tube pre I like much better than the Anthem, I think I would be looking at well over a G. Wanted to try ther passive route to see which one I would pursue in the future.

time will tell.

I would really have to like it a whole lot better to keep it and dump the Anthem. Like I said, its about trying new things.

[ohskigod]

finally got it hooked up, and I gotta say, me likey.

I was really anticipating not liking it, dont know why, but was very surprised at how nice it sounded. smooth, flatter response. loses a little slam, but that seems to be a good thing so far.


gotta give it more listening time before I really form an opinion, but I like it enough to give it the time.

[tonyb]

Very nice!! Can't wait to hear your thoughts on it.
Good price too,nothing to lose,everything to gain...gotta love it.

[RuSsMaN]

It's a peice for the 'less is more' audio camp Lou. Causing less harm, if you will.

I was very happy with mine, but for the whole house rig I needed more inputs.