Jeff of Arabica
Seasoned Member
Name the greatest of all inventors... Accident.
Posts: 968
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Hey Archie, I guess my point was that any switch can only detract. In other words, there is no switch I am aware of that does not have a theoretical downfall. Whether that handicap amounts to any audible sacrifice in quality is the argument - a mostly subjective one at that.
The ZROCK2 has a true bypass so the resistive effect of the components within would not come into play with the switch in "Bypass." The wire from the RCA inputs run to Position 1 on the 2-way switch, which routes the signal through the ZROCK2 EQ circuit. Position 2 avoids the ZROCK2 circuit and routes the wires right to the output RCA jacks avoiding any of the internal components. But, the switch, likely a $5 part at best, in now in your signal path regardless of whether the EQ circuit is engaged or bypassed.
My understanding of the design is Steve built a gain stage into the ZROCK2 circuit to compensate for the signal voltage lost to the EQ circuit. So, there is definitely a "flavor" influence on the source signal imparted by the ZROCK2 when engaged. And there is a series of "parts" in which the signal must pass when "Bypassed." In other words, there is no free lunch anytime you add anything into the signal path.
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