Dynamics, soundstage, crystal clear sound, doesn't add a sonic character of its own

For those requiring a remote, there is none; break-in time

In an attempt to build a higher resolution music system yielding better dynamics and transparency and try not to spend too much in these times of "digital change", I stumbled across the FT Audio LW-1 passive attenuator. I have an integrated audio/video system but I listen to music quite a bit more than I watch movies. I enjoy listening to music at moderate to loud levels, but rarely go over 90 db. I enjoy classical and to a lesser extent, jazz. Since I do not use a turntable, I considered a high quality pre/pro that would double for music. But these can run into the several thousand dollars. I already have a pre/pro that I like, so I wasn't sure what options I had (again, video is not the priority). Buying a good (i.e., for music) pre/pro today that isn't compatible with SACD or DVD-A would probably need replaced in a few years. I'm happy to sit out this (r)evolution.

In discussing my needs with others, I was told of the LW-1. I got in contact with Paul Lam (distributor) and he sent me a unit to try for 30 days. The LW-1 is relatively small, light in weight, and looks good. The unit is sturdy and has 5 inputs and two main outputs. It has an input selector control, volume control and tape loop switch. My power amp has a sensitive input, so most of the time the volume control is only at the 9:00 to 10:00 range. Because of it's light weight (about 2 pounds), I place some weight on it to minimize vibration.

Per Paul's recommendation, I played music through the unit for about 200 hours. The majority of this time, I left the power amp off. The sound of the unit in comparison to my digital pre/pro and an old Adcom GFP555 was impressive. The clarity and transparency are top-notch. This is helped by the Silver Audio Hyacinth cables I installed this past summer. I've heard some say that passive units lack dynamics or are light in the bass - not so with the LW-1. In fact, the unit sounds more dynamic than either unit mentioned above. My system has never sounded better. Bass is deep (below 20 Hz isn't a problem - verified with a RS SPL meter) and authoritative. It's well controlled without any noticable coloration; there is a smoothness to the sound. The LW-1 lets the music flow with a sense of ease but does not seem to impart a sonic signature of its own. (This would seem logical; if your source sounds good, how can passing it through another active circuit make it better? If it sounds bad, you've got other problems.)

Not only are the dynamics awesome, but the soundstage itself is dead on. Closing ones eyes, it's as if you are in the hall where the orchestra or band is playing. Not only left to right, but also front to back. Patricia Barber's Cafe Blue is an amazing recording and sounds brilliant through the LW-1. Listening to Holst, The Planets (London), the bass drum and organ punch through with incredible impact - the whole room shakes, but the sound is not boomy at all; it sounds life-like. Solo violin on the second track is whispy and crystal clear. As I remember, neither the pre/pro nor the Adcom provided as deep or solid bass. And the dynamics of the LW-1 easily beat the Adcom. With a better DAC, I would expect it would then surpass the pre/pro in this area without question (that is, the pre/pro only has digital inputs, so using it will bypass the CDP DACs). The music has a pureness to it when run via the LW-1. I can't say how sensitive the LW-1 is to other configurations since I only tried it in mine.

The configuration I use may be of interest; it's different for music and movies.

For music, I have the analog outputs from my DVD/CD connected to the LW-1 and then to the amp. This minimized the signal path to two sets of interconnects (both Silver Audio). This way, the pre/pro is powered off and not in the signal path at all.

For movies, I change the selector on the LW-1 to Video, and turn the volume up all the way so it passes on the full signal. The signal path is from the DVD/CD digital out to the pre/pro. The pre/pro volume control is used and is sent to the LW-1 and then to the amp. The pre/pro also feeds a second amp directly for the center and surrounds. Once calibrated, output balance between the amps is not an issue (this is no different than any other surround setup).

For me, this is the best of both worlds since I integrate audio and video components; it keeps the purist approach for each medium. For music, I have a very high quality "volume control" and because of it's transparency, I can run my pre/pro through it without losing any quality. So from a value perspective, when considering the sound quality, this is easily 5 stars. Sound quality too is 5 stars for its ability to portray music in a naturalness and not adding sonic qualitites of its own. The unit continues to improve with daily use or so it seems. I'm not sure how much I'd have to spend to find an active unit as clean as the LW-1. Highly recommended.

-- Greg

System

McCormack DNA-1 R/A
McCormack HT-1
Vandersteen 3A Sigs
Vandersteen VCC-1
B&W 302 (surrounds)
REL Stadium III Sub
Sony EP9ES pre/pro
Sony DVPS7000 DVD/CD
AudioQuest Forest/Crystal Speaker cables
Silver Audio Hyacinth interconnects
MIT 330+ Series II interconnects
Echo Buster panels

Similar Products Used:

No other passive units (see review for pre-amps)