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D2's Phase Linear P3600
- Thread starter laatsch55
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The Pre has arrived. I eagerly hooked it up and tested it out. Very impressed with the difference it made compared to the Nad 3150. Killer output, amazing dynamics and much less listening fatigue, especially at high volumes. It makes the JBL 4311b's sound even better, I had no idea they could sound that good! This is very satisfying, Thank you so much Lee 
One question, on the phono section, there was two small blank plugs on the MM input. I have removed these to use that input, and was not sure if they should be put on the MC input so have left them off. Do these need to go back on the unused MC input?
Here's a pic of the Pre in the cabinet:
One question, on the phono section, there was two small blank plugs on the MM input. I have removed these to use that input, and was not sure if they should be put on the MC input so have left them off. Do these need to go back on the unused MC input?
Here's a pic of the Pre in the cabinet:
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My thoughts on the Phono section:
I recently bought a 180 gram reissue of Pink Floyd's "Meddle" album. So have used that for A/B testing to compare the P3600 phono stage to the Cambridge Audio 651p. I transferred the album to the computer in 24-bit/96khz resolution twice using each phono section.
The P3600's phono stage easily matches the 651p or could even be better. The P3600 has slightly less treble than the 651p, but I found the 651p to be rather excessive with its treble on some LPs creating an undesired "Harshness" to the sound. The line level output used when recording from the P3600 phonostage is slightly lower, but this is not an issue. That pre has a very strong output going to the amp. I noticed this when doing the A/B comparison, the recording level was slightly lower on the PC's input level meters.
After listening to Meddle with excellent results, I decided to try a very brightly recorded vinyl album through the P3600's Phonostage. Dire Straits - Brothers in Arms, Double LP 180gram remaster. I can honestly say that I prefer to hear this album through the P3600, it really smooths out the high's nicely, the bass is thumping, and mid's perfectly presented. Where as on the 651p the highs were very harsh, I'd be running for the treble dial to reduce it normally.
Since testing the P3600, I have had tone defeat turned on the whole time, not once have I had any desire to adjust the bass or treble. Now that is really saying something. I think it really helps with sound quality, what an amazing preamp. Lee and Joe you have done wonders, this has really made my day! Thank you.
I recently bought a 180 gram reissue of Pink Floyd's "Meddle" album. So have used that for A/B testing to compare the P3600 phono stage to the Cambridge Audio 651p. I transferred the album to the computer in 24-bit/96khz resolution twice using each phono section.
The P3600's phono stage easily matches the 651p or could even be better. The P3600 has slightly less treble than the 651p, but I found the 651p to be rather excessive with its treble on some LPs creating an undesired "Harshness" to the sound. The line level output used when recording from the P3600 phonostage is slightly lower, but this is not an issue. That pre has a very strong output going to the amp. I noticed this when doing the A/B comparison, the recording level was slightly lower on the PC's input level meters.
After listening to Meddle with excellent results, I decided to try a very brightly recorded vinyl album through the P3600's Phonostage. Dire Straits - Brothers in Arms, Double LP 180gram remaster. I can honestly say that I prefer to hear this album through the P3600, it really smooths out the high's nicely, the bass is thumping, and mid's perfectly presented. Where as on the 651p the highs were very harsh, I'd be running for the treble dial to reduce it normally.
Since testing the P3600, I have had tone defeat turned on the whole time, not once have I had any desire to adjust the bass or treble. Now that is really saying something. I think it really helps with sound quality, what an amazing preamp. Lee and Joe you have done wonders, this has really made my day! Thank you.
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I have decided to integrate the Pre and the WOPL into the main audio cabinet. The main reason for this is I want to use the Phono section on the P3600. The 651p can be used to run the secondary turntable with easy switching between the two instead of swapping connectors all the time. It will also look much better with all components in the same cabinet. Previously they were run in a separate section next to the computer desk. A TV cabinet was used for this as it allowed plenty of clearance for the amp cooling system.
In order to use the main cabinet, the back board in the bottom section will have to be removed so the cooling fans can take cool air in and the hot air can escape. Extra high quality interconnects will need to be purchased, and speaker wires extended.
There is a rats nest of wires behind the cabinet which need to be sorted and managed, I have some cable holders and velcro strips which will help sort this out. Some other stuff needs to be moved to allow proper access to the rear of the cabinet, its a real mess behind there, time to sort it out properly.
For now I am running a long interconnect cable from the main cabinet to the amp which is still near the computer desk. Once the amp has had the new light board and meter installed, it will be moved to the main cabinet. I will prepare the main cabinet and tidy up the wires at the back first before moving the amp to minimize downtime, can't be without music for too long.
In order to use the main cabinet, the back board in the bottom section will have to be removed so the cooling fans can take cool air in and the hot air can escape. Extra high quality interconnects will need to be purchased, and speaker wires extended.
There is a rats nest of wires behind the cabinet which need to be sorted and managed, I have some cable holders and velcro strips which will help sort this out. Some other stuff needs to be moved to allow proper access to the rear of the cabinet, its a real mess behind there, time to sort it out properly.
For now I am running a long interconnect cable from the main cabinet to the amp which is still near the computer desk. Once the amp has had the new light board and meter installed, it will be moved to the main cabinet. I will prepare the main cabinet and tidy up the wires at the back first before moving the amp to minimize downtime, can't be without music for too long.
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- Joined
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- Joined
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- Those who enter the man cave will get WOPLed
- Joined
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- Location
- Australia
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- Those who enter the man cave will get WOPLed
- Joined
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- Joined
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- Joined
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Started work on the cabinet, bashed out the back board where the WOPL will be situated, this is to make it easier to work on and mostly so the cooling fans can get cool air from the back.
This is what was in there previously, all cassettes, lots of them stacked behind the draws as well:
Cassettes and Back Board Removed:
Overall Pic of the cabinet as is now.
Now I have a RATS NEST of wires behind and to the side of the cabinet, this is from 6 years of adding and removing components, and generally not being able to get behind it due to the amount of stuff I had stored around it. This is what I am dealing with:
Its all getting re-done with some cable management thrown in. All components which need repair or servicing (mainly cassette decks) will be removed until they are seen to. Until then there will be minimal components in the cabinet. I will focus on removing them and getting the WOPL in there once the replacement Meter and light board has been installed.
This is what was in there previously, all cassettes, lots of them stacked behind the draws as well:
Cassettes and Back Board Removed:
Overall Pic of the cabinet as is now.
Now I have a RATS NEST of wires behind and to the side of the cabinet, this is from 6 years of adding and removing components, and generally not being able to get behind it due to the amount of stuff I had stored around it. This is what I am dealing with:
Its all getting re-done with some cable management thrown in. All components which need repair or servicing (mainly cassette decks) will be removed until they are seen to. Until then there will be minimal components in the cabinet. I will focus on removing them and getting the WOPL in there once the replacement Meter and light board has been installed.
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- Australia
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- Those who enter the man cave will get WOPLed
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- Those who enter the man cave will get WOPLed
Making Progress. Damn there was some wires behind there, many unused. Some ran all the way to the other side of the computer desk, its good to get them out.
Wire Aftermath:
Removed some Components that need TLC with a few more on the other side to go. The cabinet will be bare for some time. The Nakamichi BX-300 Cassette deck being the only fully serviced flawless deck I have will stay, and I may add the National NV-850 Hi-Fi VHS machine as it is also in good shape. Did quite a few audio recordings on that machine. Reel to Reel will stay, as with the two Thorens Turntables, and 2 Sony 300 CD Changers. Back to basics, keeping it simple.
Much Better at the back now:
Wire Aftermath:
Removed some Components that need TLC with a few more on the other side to go. The cabinet will be bare for some time. The Nakamichi BX-300 Cassette deck being the only fully serviced flawless deck I have will stay, and I may add the National NV-850 Hi-Fi VHS machine as it is also in good shape. Did quite a few audio recordings on that machine. Reel to Reel will stay, as with the two Thorens Turntables, and 2 Sony 300 CD Changers. Back to basics, keeping it simple.
Much Better at the back now:
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