AudioCircle
Industry Circles => Tortuga Audio => Topic started by: tortugaranger on 1 Aug 2014, 08:24 pm
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In anticipation of the release of our new LDRx and LDRxB (balanced) Passive Preamps later this month, I'd like to organize a tour around our LDRxB Balanced Passive Preamp. Assuming of course that there's sufficient interest. More info on the LDRxB can be found here: http://www.tortugaaudio.com/product/ldrx-ldrxb-passive-preamps/ (http://www.tortugaaudio.com/product/ldrx-ldrxb-passive-preamps/)
Here's a summary of the tour and related rules:
1) Tour Unit - the LDRxB Balanced Passive Preamp - so ideally we're looking for people who have balanced sources and balanced amps although the LDRxB will also accommodate RCA in/out. Preferences go to those with balanced equipment.
2) Tour Size - maximum of 15 participants
3) Timing - tour would start sometime in September
4) Eligible participants - AudioCircle members excluding those who participated in the 2013/2014 tour of the LDR1.
5) Duration of Possession - Each tour member will have the use of the LDRxB tour unit for a maximum of 10 days although you should try to turn it around in a week. Thus if it arrives on a Monday, plan on shipping it out the following Monday.
6) Shipping - Each tour member will ship the preamp to the next member on the list using UPS or FedEx using as much or the original packaging as practicable and will insure the unit at its full retail price. If the packaging gets truly buggered along the way, let me know and I'll ship you a "fresh" box to continue the tour with.
That's it. No quid pro quo. No prearranged discounts or special deals. You can post your opinion on the unit or decline to do so. No reason needed.
If you're interested you can post a response here or PM me. In general, it's first come first serve offer. I'll post an updated list of tour members as planning evolves.
Enjoy! :thumb:
Morten
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i'd like to be included.
thanks,
drmike
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Folks -- as a "first tour" participant, I'd just like to say: if you're even on-the-fence about one of the Tortuga LDRs, you owe it to yourself to join this tour. I did.....and now I'm the proud owner of a DIY Tortuga. It will open your ears about what a semi-passive/passive preamp will do in your system (not going down that discussion about whether this is/isn't a passive component).
I've been very happy with mine so far, so give it a go.
-dB (happy customer, and that's my only relationship to Morten)
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^^^^^
:thumb:
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Tour Group Update:
1) drmike
2) ZAKski288
3-15) ** open **
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Please add me. I'm in NC.
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Please add me. I'm in NC.
Done!
Tour Group Update:
1) drmike
2) ZAKski288
3) jtwrace
4-15) ** open **
Modify message
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Add me to the list.
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Add me to the list.
Yes sir! :thumb:
Tour Group Update:
1) drmike
2) ZAKski288
3) jtwrace
4) PeteG
5-15) ** open **
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I want in please. I use balanced equipment., Sonic Frontiers and ARC. I'm in ohio.
Thank you.
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I want in please. I use balanced equipment. I'm in ohio.
Thank you.
Thanks for your interest. Since you were on the previous tour, you will be #1 on the standby list in case we don't fill out this tour. Tour rules give first priority to AudioCirclers (AudioCirclists? AudioCirclonians? AudioCirclites? ) who haven't participated in prior similar product tours.
Tour Group Update:
1) drmike
2) ZAKski288
3) jtwrace
4) PeteG
5-15) ** open **
Standby list (prior tour participants)
1) WireNut
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I would like to join the tour!
balanced user also,
in KC, MO.
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I would like to join the tour!
balanced user also,
in KC, MO.
Welcome! Thx.
Tour Group Update:
1) drmike
2) ZAKski288
3) jtwrace
4) PeteG
5) dnewcomer
6-15) ** 10 slots open **
Standby list (prior tour participants)
1) WireNut
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Standby list, please. Thank you.
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Standby list, please. Thank you.
Certainly.
Tour Group Update:
1) drmike
2) ZAKski288
3) jtwrace
4) PeteG
5) dnewcomer
6-15) ** 10 slots open **
Standby list (prior tour participants)
1) WireNut
2) konut
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Count me in if possible. NYC is my locale. I have a Meitner MA-1 that is balanced that is hooked up to my LDR3xv2 single ended. Will love to hear the two side by side. I have balanced and unbalanced amps (Ultimate 70 from AVA unbalanced and NCore balanced).
Shawn
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Count me in if possible. NYC is my locale. I have a Meitner MA-1 that is balanced that is hooked up to my LDR3xv2 single ended. Will love to hear the two side by side. I have balanced and unbalanced amps (Ultimate 70 from AVA unbalanced and NCore balanced).
Shawn
Welcome to the LDRxB tour!
Tour Group Update:
1) drmike
2) ZAKski288
3) jtwrace
4) PeteG
5) dnewcomer
6) sfox7076
7-15) ** 9 slots open **
Standby list (prior tour participants)
1) WireNut
2) konut
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I'll take one for a test drive if you want to send one up to Canada. I have my Bryston 14Bsst2 and also a very nice 400 watt Chapter class D power amp to pair.
(http://www.audiocircle.com/image.php?id=103301)
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I'll take one for a test drive if you want to send one up to Canada. I have my Bryston 14Bsst2 and also a very nice 400 watt Chapter class D power amp to pair.
I'd like to keep the tour domestic/US to avoid the extra shipping expenses not to mention the customs/duty fees and delays. I'll keep you on the standby list for now.
Tour Group Update:
1) drmike
2) ZAKski288
3) jtwrace
4) PeteG
5) dnewcomer
6) sfox7076
7-15) ** 9 slots open **
Standby list (prior tour participants)
1) WireNut
2) konut
3) werd (Canada)
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Hi Morten,
The reason I wanted in on this tour is because my system is all balanced gear. On the last tour I had to re-wire everything to unbalanced.
I think your balanced preamp is better suited for my system.
Steve
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Hi Morten,
The reason I wanted in on this tour is because my system is all balanced gear. On the last tour I had to re-wire everything to unbalanced.
I think your balanced preamp is better suited for my system.
Steve
Ok. Good argument. You're in. :green:
Tour Group Update:
1) drmike
2) ZAKski288
3) jtwrace
4) PeteG
5) dnewcomer
6) sfox7076
7) WiredNut
8t) Rubbbq
9-15) ** 6 slots open **
Standby list (prior tour participants etc. )
1) konut
2) werd (Canada)
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Ok, let me know if there is a change. I have that Chapter on borrow and it has a really nice ground feature. You can toggle between chassis or the ground pin on Xlr. I sold my Audio Oasis t1 passive but that ground feature seems made for passive pre amps.
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We have 5 slots left for the tour. Come and get em. :D
Tour Group Update:
1) drmike
2) ZAKski288
3) jtwrace
4) PeteG
5) dnewcomer
6) sfox7076
7) WiredNut
8t) Rubbbq
9) konut
10) werd
11-15) ** 5 slots open **
Standby list (prior tour participants etc. )
** none **
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I would like to be added if you have slots left. I am in central CA.
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Tour Group Update.
With 12 participants signed up I'm declaring the tour full up and ready to roll. Given the backlog of orders we have for the new LDRx/LDRxB it will be more like late September before we break a unit loose for the tour. I will eventually set up a shared spreadsheet in google docs where everyone can fill in their contact info. Thanks for participating. :thumb:
1) drmike
2) ZAKski288
3) jtwrace
4) PeteG
5) dnewcomer
6) sfox7076
7) WiredNut
8t) Rubbbq
9) konut
10) werd
11) mamba315
12) ZLS
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I would like a listen!
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Sounds great! I'm glad you were able to fit my Canadian address into the tour.
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I am interested as I have all balanced gear and had to use converters on the first tour. If there is a way to try out this new balanced unit then that would be awesome.
Begging can't hurt right.........? HA
Cheers,
James
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Ok ok. Full up! Maxed out. 14. Done!
1) drmike
2) ZAKski288
3) jtwrace
4) PeteG
5) dnewcomer
6) sfox7076
7) WiredNut
8t) Rubbbq
9) konut
10) werd
11) mamba315
12) ZLS
13) cloudbaseracer
14) jtsnead
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Just a brief update for the tour group that we won't be kicking off the tour until after we've caught up with our back orders which will likely take another 2 weeks or so. Figure some time in October. Will update you again just before we send the unit to drmike.
Cheers,
Morten
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If it's not too late I would like to get in on having a listen.
Thanks,
Mark
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Are there any geographic benefits to reshuffling the tour?
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Oops, thought there were 15 slots. Anyone on the tour near Appleton, WI?
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Aw, missed it by a couple of weeks! Well, if anyone backs out (yeah right!), I'd love to be on standby :)
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Are there any geographic benefits to reshuffling the tour?
Before we kick this off, I will compile a contact list of everyone on the tour and put that into a google docs spreadsheet that everyone can access/share/update. I will then reshuffle the deck to minimize shipping distances per leg.
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Hi Morten! Hope you're catching up on orders. Any chance of getting a silver wired version for the tour? :hyper:
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I have to withdraw from the tour. I am selling my balanced DAC. Keeping my single ended Tortuga though!
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I have to withdraw from the tour. I am selling my balanced DAC. Keeping my single ended Tortuga though!
No problem. And glad to see you're wisely holding on to the right equipment! :thumb:
Here's the revised lineup. As far as a start date we are still backlogged with orders which makes it difficult to break a unit free for the tour. While we've improved our overall production efficiency and worked out most of the fabrication/assembly kinks it's still a very careful deliberate build process by 2-3 people. Plus RMAF14 took up a huge chunk of time where production just stopped. Excuses excuses. Hang in there. It will happen!
1) drmike
2) ZAKski288
3) jtwrace
4) PeteG
5) dnewcomer
6) WiredNut
7) Rubbbq
8t) konut
9) werd
10) mamba315
11) ZLS
12) cloudbaseracer
13) jtsnead
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I'd LOVE to get on the audition list if possible!
I'm in NH.
Thanks,
audiogoober
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Hi Morten! Hope you're catching up on orders. Any chance of getting a silver wired version for the tour? :hyper:
I have a silver-wired DIY version (single-ended).......and you are a wise man to ask for that. :thumb:
-dB (something-something about cold, dead fingers and my Tortuga LDR)
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Not so sure about wise. As that I might not be able to afford the high zoot version, it might be more a case of masochism. At any rate, I'd like to be able to sample the max example to hear if I can discern, or my system has the resolution, to perceive the improvement.
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I'd LOVE to get on the audition list if possible!
I'm in NH.
Thanks,
audiogoober
Ok. 1 more. Back to all full up at 14. :thumb:
1) drmike
2) ZAKski288
3) jtwrace
4) PeteG
5) dnewcomer
6) WiredNut
7) Rubbbq
8t) konut
9) werd
10) mamba315
11) ZLS
12) cloudbaseracer
13) jtsnead
14) audiogoober
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Ok. 1 more. Back to all full up at 14. :thumb:
1) drmike
2) ZAKski288
3) jtwrace
4) PeteG
5) dnewcomer
6) WiredNut
7) Rubbbq
8t) konut
9) werd
10) mamba315
11) ZLS
12) cloudbaseracer
13) jtsnead
14) audiogoober
Thanks!
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Just a quick update on the LDRxB tour. I expect to free up an LDRxB over the next week or so such that we'll be kicking off the tour around the first week of December.
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Is it too late to add me to the list? I am using KSA 200S, BAT VK500, BAT VK75SE and Blue Eye digital power amplifiers. I am from Johor Bahru, Malaysia. Thanks.
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Please let me know if there is any more room on the tour. Chicago is a lovely place for gear to stop.
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Please let me know if there is any more room on the tour. Chicago is a lovely place for gear to stop.
I've had one cancellation so I can add you in. That closes out the tour list at 14.
Is it too late to add me to the list? I am using KSA 200S, BAT VK500, BAT VK75SE and Blue Eye digital power amplifiers. I am from Johor Bahru, Malaysia. Thanks.
Benzmerc, I appreciate your interest but shipping a 9-10 pound box internationally using insured express shipping typically costs $150 each way not to mention the complexities of customs, duty, VAT etc. This makes including international participates impractical for a tour like this. I did concede to add one Canadian participant and hopefully that won't prove too difficult or costly.
__________________________
This list stands as follows. Kicking off the tour has now slipped into December. First priority has been shipping available units out to customers and we sold out of our first batch of balanced units and are starting to build our second batch so....soon....soon.
1) drmike
2) ZAKski288
3) jtwrace
4) PeteG
5) dnewcomer
6) roscoeiii
7) Rubbbq
8t) konut
9) werd
10) mamba315
11) ZLS
12) cloudbaseracer
13) jtsnead
14) audiogoober
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The time has finally come to kick off the tour. I will have an LDRxB ready to ship out next week. The week of Jan 5th. I will be sending out a PM to all of you with a link to a google docs spreadsheet that we'll use to keep a running list of the tour group including name, address, email, phone etc. Only members of the tour will have access to this. Once I have all of the addresses I'll determine the tour sequence with the goal of minimizing shipping distances/cost/time. Let me know if you have any questions.
The 2015 Tour Is On! :thumb:
Cheers,
Morten
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werd - if you're out there and see this note please contact me via morten@tortugaaudio.com. I'm not able to get a PM through to you.
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Thank you for sending me your contact info. Still waiting on contact info from 3 participants. I can't reach "werd" via PM. If anyone knows werd or how to reach him please advise.
1) drmike :D
2) ZAKski288 :D
3) jtwrace :D
4) PeteG :D
5) dnewcomer :D
6) roscoeiii :scratch:
7) Rubbbq :scratch:
8t) konut :D
9) werd :scratch: (AC says you are not receiving PMs )
10) mamba315 :D
11) ZLS :D
12) cloudbaseracer :D
13) jtsnead :D
14) audiogoober :D
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The tour LDRxB unit ships out today to jtwrace (JW, you'll be receiving a shipping tracking notice later this AM). The tour unit has both the Cardas XLR jacks and the Neotech silver audio hookup wire. It has the software (pre-release Rev 1.2.3) that was developed as part of the work we've been doing on the LDR3x.V2.1 controller board the past 2 months but the boards are V2. Since most of the benefit of the V2.1 development effort has turned out to be software driven, this unit is close to the best we have to offer at present. I'm listening to it as I write this and it sounds wonderful.
Enjoy!
Morten
** The Batting Order **
1) jtwrace :D
2) cloudbaseracer :D
3) jtsnead :D
4) audiogoober :D
5) ZLS :D
6) ZAKski288 :D
7) dnewcomer :D
7+1) mamba315 :D
9) PeteG :D
10) konut :D
11) drmike :D
** Missing In Action ** (have not heard back from you)
a) roscoeiii :scratch:
b) Rubbbq :scratch:
c) werd :scratch: (AC says you are not receiving PMs )
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Sweet! Looking forward to it. :thumb:
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We have one less MIA so here's the updated tour list. If I don't hear from the remaining MIA's in another week or so I have replacements waiting in the wings.
** The Batting Order **
1) jtwrace :D
2) cloudbaseracer :D
3) jtsnead :D
4) audiogoober :D
5) ZLS :D
6) roscoeiii :D
7) ZAKski288 :D
7+1) dnewcomer :D
9) mamba315 :D
10) PeteG :D
11) konut :D
12) drmike :D
** Missing In Action ** (have not heard back from you)
b) Rubbbq :scratch:
c) werd :scratch: (AC says you are not receiving PMs )
The tour LDRxB unit ships out today to jtwrace (JW, you'll be receiving a shipping tracking notice later this AM). The tour unit has both the Cardas XLR jacks and the Neotech silver audio hookup wire. It has the software (pre-release Rev 1.2.3) that was developed as part of the work we've been doing on the LDR3x.V2.1 controller board the past 2 months but the boards are V2. Since most of the benefit of the V2.1 development effort has turned out to be software driven, this unit is close to the best we have to offer at present. I'm listening to it as I write this and it sounds wonderful.
Enjoy!
Morten
** The Batting Order **
1) jtwrace :D
2) cloudbaseracer :D
3) jtsnead :D
4) audiogoober :D
5) ZLS :D
6) ZAKski288 :D
7) dnewcomer :D
7+1) mamba315 :D
9) PeteG :D
10) konut :D
11) drmike :D
** Missing In Action ** (have not heard back from you)
a) roscoeiii :scratch:
b) Rubbbq :scratch:
c) werd :scratch: (AC says you are not receiving PMs )
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The first LDRxB 2015 tour review is in by jtwrace: http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=131745.msg1394681#msg1394681 (http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=131745.msg1394681#msg1394681) :thumb:
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Arrives to cloudbaseracer on Tuesday.
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Going forward lets try to use this topic solely for coordination regarding the tour. To post your impressions, if you're so inclined, please use this topic: http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=131745.0 (http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=131745.0)
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This might be helpful for those on the tour too.
(http://www.audiocircle.com/image.php?id=113287)
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Indeed. Also, I'm painfully aware that we need something resembling a laminated one page summary of this remote graphic combined with a detailed explanation of each remote button, command, control mode etc. With the imminent release of version 2.1.0 of the controller firmware a clear guide is even more critical since there are now more ways than ever to get lost with the remote. :?
This might be helpful for those on the tour too.
(http://www.audiocircle.com/image.php?id=113287)
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Just heard from cloudbaseracer. He will be shipping the tour unit off to jtsnead next. Onwards! :thumb:
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cloudbaseracer is shipping the the tour preamp off to audiogoober next.
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Do not know what happened to goober, but I received a unit today
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Do not know what happened to goober, but I received a unit today
Well, you're #3 on the list so plug her in and enjoy. :thumb:
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Do not know what happened to goober, but I received a unit today
Ah, yes, you (jtsnead) were #3 on the list and so provided your address etc. but mistakenly posted audiogoober (who is #4) who gets the unit after you. Somehow it will all work out. Enjoy!
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Will do
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The tour unit is on its way to audiogoober somewhere in the white-out that is New England. :thumb:
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I would like to provide a resting spot in Oregon form the tour. The proud state with the highest concentration of brew pubs,,,,,so I have been told :thumb: :thumb: :thumb: :thumb:
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audiogoober is wrapping up his tour session and will soon be shipping the LDRxB off to ZLS.
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Would like to be included on this tour.
Tasar
Traverse City MI 49670
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Just a quick note to let you all know that the LDRxB tour unit is back at Tortuga basecamp for some updating. We'll have that puppy back on the road later this week. That is all. :D
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Just a quick note to let you all know that the LDRxB tour unit is back at Tortuga basecamp for some updating. We'll have that puppy back on the road later this week. That is all. :D
What will the updates do?
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What will the updates do?
The tour unit has a pair of V2 boards. I'm not going to swap them out for V2.1's but I am going to upgrade to the 2.1.x firmware and as part of that run both boards through a one-time pre-calibration sequence using precision 0.1% Dale resistors. The non-LDR hardware in each board has enough inherent spec variation such that the auto-cal results can be off for reasons unrelated to the LDRs themselves. Said differently auto-cal may think it's measuring resistance level R when it's really R times some error factor. Pre-calibration is a way of squeezing out some of that inaccuracy. When you step back from all the details, auto-cal is simply an embedded resistance measuring instrument. Pre-calibration is the calibration of that instrument. The net result is a preamp with more precise channel balance which usually translates into better sound stage and stereo imaging. It's all good! :thumb:
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The tour unit has a pair of V2 boards. I'm not going to swap them out for V2.1's but I am going to upgrade to the 2.1.x firmware and as part of that run both boards through a one-time pre-calibration sequence using precision 0.1% Dale resistors. The non-LDR hardware in each board has enough inherent spec variation such that the auto-cal results can be off for reasons unrelated to the LDRs themselves. Said differently auto-cal may think it's measuring resistance level R when it's really R times some error factor. Pre-calibration is a way of squeezing out some of that inaccuracy. When you step back from all the details, auto-cal is simply an embedded resistance measuring instrument. Pre-calibration is the calibration of that instrument. The net result is a preamp with more precise channel balance which usually translates into better sound stage and stereo imaging. It's all good! :thumb:
Sweet!
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[moved sub-thread/topic regarding impedance from here to its own topic "Adjustable Impedance"] - http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=133006.0 (http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=133006.0)
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Just to be clear the tour unit does not, nor will not, have the adjustable impedance feature. Right?
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Just to be clear the tour unit does not, nor will not, have the adjustable impedance feature. Right?
Actually, when it gets back on the road it will indeed have adjustable impedance. I'm going to set up 4 levels in addition to the default 20k (which is 40k balanced). Probably 2k, 5k, 25k and 50k which is 4k, 10k, 50k, and 100k balanced.
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Thanks Morten! This is a KEY feature.Looking forward to the audition.
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Would like to be included on this tour.
Tasar
Traverse City MI 49670
Request has had no response, my guess is the "tour" was finite ?
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Request has had no response, my guess is the "tour" was finite ?
Truth is I put the tour unit on the back burner after updating it and have been distracted with other day-to-day matters. Will get the show back on the road soon and will also add you, tasar, to the tour list. I thank everyone for their patience.
Your one-armed-paper-hanger,
Morten
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Hi Morten
I'd love to get on on this tour.
Recently picked up a W4S dac2 and would like to compare it with the mighty Tortuga. It would help me to decide on a diy balanced build.
Thanks.
Sten
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What is happing with the tour? :scratch:
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What is happing with the tour? :scratch:
Seriously?!!? I was going to ask if I could get back on at the end. :D
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What is happing with the tour? :scratch:
Here's the full skinny on why the long hold up on the tour.
Soon after the LDRxB tour started I discovered a minor bug that I wanted to correct before continuing. So I brought the tour unit back. Resolved the bug but meanwhile noted that a couple of customers were having problems with hum. This started a long frustrating process of diagnosis which ultimately culminated in my buying same amps as one of my customers to get to the bottom of the problem. The issue was eventually traced down to how pin 1 (the XLR cable shield) was terminated or not terminated to chassis ground. This proved to be a hugely distracting issue and all the more so because the only reason pin 1 can cause hum is if the amp designer uses it inappropriately as a conventional ground line. A true differential balanced audio signal doesn't require a ground reference and pin 1 was never intended to be used as a ground reference. The worst offender here turned out to be the Job 250 monoblock amps which even a 6moons review had flagged as being susceptible to hum. In the end we did arrive at a simple solution but meanwhile months went buy with the tour on hold.
Meanwhile we have come up with some design mods unrelated to the earlier hum problem that I wanted to incorporate into the tour unit before re-launching the tour. But as these things go, it's taken way longer than planned to work out the details on the design mods which now also include a battery based power supply which are are pushing hard to complete in the next two weeks before RMAF in Denver.
So, yes the tour will resume as soon the mods and battery PS are good to go. Probably after RMAF sometime in October. Apologies to all for the long wait.
Cheers,
Morten
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Thanks for the update! :thumb: That's quite the story about Job. :duh:
Please add me to the end if you don't mind...I'd like to try the mods out if at all possible. See you at RMAF!
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Could this tour be relaunched for 2016?