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Post by Chris on Mar 15, 2021 13:07:37 GMT -5
This is a new demo video from Parks Audio and their Puffin DSP Phono Preamp. The video demonstrates the new beta firmware that has a dedicated Azimuth alignment option. The current shipping firmware can also do Azimuth adjustment, but the procedure is slightly different.
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Post by sailor on Mar 20, 2021 13:56:42 GMT -5
I was really intrigued by the Azimuth alignment option. To me, this makes this unit useful, so I bought it off Amazon. It came in a day. Nicely packaged unit. Good docs. Easy to use. But........... even though the firmware loaded was the latest (according to the website) I did not have the same options (No. 24 "Tests") that were pictured in the vid. I contacted Parks and with an almost immediate reply I found out that the feature is still in Beta not to be released until later this summer. Shannon Parks sent me a link to the beta firmware with instructions. It was a painless procedure and the unit was quickly upgraded. I will be doing a quick review of this unit soon, from first listening this will more than likely stay as a test unit for the sound quality was as expected for this price point and all this technology in a small box powered by switchmode wall wart.
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Post by sailor on Mar 20, 2021 14:11:25 GMT -5
Just a quick P.S> I did the Azimuth test with present set up.
This is an Alphason HRS 100 Tone are that I bought in 1985. It has no azimuth adjustment. Solid titanium from headshell to weight, ceramic gimbal bearings and silver wire.
mounted is a SoundSmith Zephyr Mk lll I bought used from Chris and the azimuth numbers were exactly dead on equal for both left and right channels
Kind of amazing, at least to me.
I will be mounting my custom built tone arm (for my Sota Nova TT) by Chris Hildebrand of Fern&Roby and maybe my Shelter 501 Mk ll cartridge and do the same test and see how crazy it will be to set azimuth with a unpivot arm
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mark
Junior Member
Posts: 77
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Post by mark on Apr 6, 2021 12:20:30 GMT -5
I've also had a chance to play around with the "beta" Puffin software from Parks Audio, and I like it a lot.
The new azimuth setting feature is a lot easier to use compared to the earlier software capability, and with it I was able to get my channel separation up to an amazing 36 dB both channels, a considerable improvement for me, and significantly better than the manufacturer's specs.
The "frequency sweep" feature is also very impressive -- first because it reveals limitations in your cartridge frequency response you might not have been aware of, and secondly because it lets you adjust the high frequency response in the way cartridge loading was used in the past. Using that feature I was able to significantly improve the high end response of my cartridge compared to using the manufacturer's cartridge loading recommendations.
It should be clear that these features require access to appropriate test LPs -- I used the so called "Ultimate Analog Test" and the "Vinyl: Check" LPs. Many others would work as well I'm sure.
I have some graphics showing all this but I'm not sure if its possible to post such things on these pages!
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Post by sailor on Apr 6, 2021 13:29:52 GMT -5
After you hit the "Quick Reply" button and its form comes up there is a "Reply" button in the upper right corner with a row of feature buttons across the top, one which allows you to attach an image.
Yes the Puffin is a great tool and serious vinyl guys will find the testing features very useful.
I just could not listen to music with it because it was incapable of producing musical sound.
I really wanted to write a review but decided against it because of the poor sound.
There is a good possibility that the upgraded model with the SPDIF output used with a decent DAC and preamp that it would sound better.
I offered Puffin to do a review of that model if they would send it to me but they would not, so I returned the one I bought back to Amazon.
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mark
Junior Member
Posts: 77
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Post by mark on Apr 6, 2021 15:22:12 GMT -5
Well, the Puffin I'm using has its SPDIF output going to the SPDIF input of a DEQX unit, and I think it sounds quite excellent! Its as good as using my old analog preamp, to which in fact I've never returned. I haven't tried connecting the Puffin with its analog outputs because I like to avoid going back and forth between digital and analog forms unnecessarily. But I would guess the DAC in the DEQX is better quality -- its certainly more expensive! Lets see if I can attach those graphics . . . These show various cartridge loading and compensation experiments I tried with the Puffin. Which solution would you pick? The answer might be, a better cartridge but I like the sound of this one.
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Post by jtsnead on Apr 6, 2021 15:38:38 GMT -5
Paul doesnt convert the signal to digital? If so that might be why it didnt sound so good
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mark
Junior Member
Posts: 77
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Post by mark on Apr 6, 2021 17:12:03 GMT -5
Right, I think the addition of the digital SPDIF output to the Puffin was probably a really good idea.
On the other hand there are probably plenty of people who have completely analog systems and might appreciate the Puffin analog output.
On the third hand, such people probably wouldn't be interested in a digital phono preamp in the first place!
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Post by sailor on Apr 6, 2021 17:35:41 GMT -5
To me sound from the analog outs of the Puffin was glassy, edgy, typical of a cheap DAC.
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Post by Chris on Apr 6, 2021 20:25:23 GMT -5
Great reports Mark. I haven't loaded the beta software yet, so I look forward to following your lead.
I lived with the Puffin using just the analog outputs at first and found the sound excellent, involving, and Musicial. I could easily live with that. I have now hooked up the S/PDIF output to my Benchmark HGC DAC2 and it, too, sounds excellent, involving, and Musical.
For me, the Puffin is the ultimate Swiss army knife of phono preamps. The functionality and utility that it provides to effect real sonic improvement to your analog rig is unmatched by any product I know of at any price. IMHO, the difference between inexpensive phono preamps and cost no object devices is the application of very expensive high tolerence parts. With the Puffin, once the signal is in the digital domain, you have the ultimate high precision application of RIAA circuits. This is where digital technology trumps analog.
I will not argue with those that believe Analog Phono should be stay analog from end to end. I have dozens of such phono preamps. Several of them are expensive, highly valued and reviewed.
Considering that so much of Music playback has transitioned to digital, I believe the pure analog products to become more niche as listeners stream direct digital into amplification and call it a day. Products like the Puffin form the perfect bridge to allow enthuisasts to integrate Analog Phono vinyl playback into an otherwise pure digital system.
Yes, call me a Fanboy but I'm all in for the magic Puffin.
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Post by sailor on Apr 7, 2021 8:55:25 GMT -5
One of the great things about our hobby is that as we build our systems, they become an expression of ourselves. I have been building systems since I was in high school in the early 1960s. This journey is one that can take us in many directions. For me, it is all about the music and getting the emotional satisfaction from listening to the music of my past as well as exploring new and exciting new forms of expression. The new digital streaming services are great venues for both the past, present, and future directions in music. For me, musicality is the thing that gets me into the music. It has to sound believable. It took me years to find a DAC that is very musical to the point that I now spend more time in the digital realm than in the vinyl side for the first time. Even after I got Raden's music store I rarely dove in, only to see if there was a copy of a piece of music I read about in some review. More often than not it was there. But I still was able to get into the music deeper with my analog rig but being limited to my small LP collection. For me, most DACs just do not sound musical to me. There is a synthetic element I can never get past.
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Post by jtsnead on Apr 7, 2021 9:41:26 GMT -5
Chris I have seriously thought about getting one to check and set Azimuth and then reconnect my Modwright PH9.0X phono preamp because I am one of those that wants to keep the signal all anolog
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Post by jtsnead on Apr 7, 2021 9:45:23 GMT -5
I also agree digital is pretty good and equal to analog in some products, my Node 2i is amazing for the investment. I have been reading about how to improve it from installing a linear power supply to using wireless wifi bridge with a decent ethernet cable
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Post by sailor on Apr 7, 2021 10:06:16 GMT -5
As I said in the original post that I think the Puffin is a great tool/test device for accurate vinyl setup. I would get the upgraded model with the SPDIF out for it may prove to sound a lot better if you ever want to go full monty on the digital thingy. I would also explore getting a linear PS for the Puffin for I think that will also improve things, maybe maybe not. I should have explored this be for sending it back to Amazon. I do not think Amazon has the SPDIF model. You may have to go to Puffin for that. They also have a return policy but I know Amazon is easy.
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Post by Chris on Apr 7, 2021 12:26:09 GMT -5
Chris I have seriously thought about getting one to check and set Azimuth and then reconnect my Modwright PH9.0X phono preamp because I am one of those that wants to keep the signal all anolog One of the other cool things about the Puffin is that it can accept either Phono level or Line level (CD player, etc). It really is a little preamp. So, you could actually connect your Modwright Preamp into the Puffin and take advantage of all the processing features of the Puffin. Of course the signal will go through a digital transformation but you may not detect that step? I cannot speak to whether you will like this or not. But why not give it a try? I currently own dozens of Phono preamps including the current PS Audio Stellar Phono Preamp, the Parasound JC Jr phono, and the Gold Note PH-10. If you told me I could only own one preamp, I would choose the Puffin because of the ability to really improve and optimize my phono settings that none of the other devices can do. YMMV. I understand that but at $500 it is a low risk investment. I'm not trying to sell anybody on this. I'm just really enthusiastic.
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