AudioCircle
Other Stuff => Archived Manufacturer Circles => Red Wine Audio => Topic started by: Alwayswantmore on 28 Oct 2011, 08:40 pm
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... they are now shipping …
Mine is unit 000, first shipped to a customer! I don’t know why that matters to me, but I find it fun anyway. My HPA is 000 too. If you count the Signature 30 and all of its upgrade iterations, the Sig 15 becomes the 7th RWA component I've owned.
Prior to the Sig 30 I was with an Ayre balanced amp and had a First Watt F1 in the house. The F1 was shipped back under their 30 day return policy -- at a cost of a 10% restocking charge (Vinnie does not charge for restocking with his return policy) -- but the few hundred bucks lost was worth it to get on Vinnie’s "off-the-grid" bandwagon.
The unit definitely looks 100% RWA. Same box and packing. Same charger and remote. Same internals when it comes to SMART and LFP-V technology. The face plate is thin aluminum, where the balance of the casing looks like every other Red Wine component I’ve owned. The concession on face-plate thickness was one of the elements Vinnie took into consideration in reaching this price point (my HPA plate must be close to ½” aluminum – definitely among the thickest I’ve ever seen).
Sound will come later when I have time to listen, but wanted to get a thread started for the new amp.
Thank you Vinnie, I look forward to hearing one of your latest creations!
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Context - Room & Equipment
Here's an old link to my media room.... http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=57818.60
Since this blog was created about 3 years ago, I have moved to Omega Super 6 Alnico single drivers and Omega Deep Hemp. Today's electronics are Sig 15 with HPA, via Mackbook.
The Super 6 is about 93 db efficiency (if I recall correctly), and I listen near field -- ie. I move the chair into center of spkrs for critical listening. Speakers are wider apart than I am "away" from front of drivers.
The rack and sub have been repositioned, mostly for cosmetic reasons. And all equipment including the Deep Hemp is now on spiked Timbernation maple bases.
I also now have an iPod Touch for a remote control.
If you read through the blog, you will see I have a number of bass traps plus traps for side wall 1st refection point. Carpet on wooden floor (ie basement beneath). The framed albums are now off the wall (I could hear some reflection off the hard surface), and I put a blanket over the plasma TV for critical listening. When you move from standing to sitting you can hear/feel what the acoustic treatments do to deaden the room. I call it my cocoon.
Lastly, in a small room like this, the GIK room treatments brought the room from a horror to a dream. Fantastic improvement for getting the most out of my wonderful little system.
The room does great for TV and movies too, but I listen only in 2ch. But more than once a phone has rung in a movie and the sound came from so far off center my wife got up to leave the room (to answer the phone). This blew her away.
I use the HPA as a digital linestage, controlling USB/Mac; CoAx BluRay; and Toslink High Def cable box.
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Context - My friend Vinnie
While I've been a one of Vinnies customers since early Sig 30 days, a few years ago I also joined his marketing / Web team. So my relationship with him goes deeper than a typical customer. Now Vinnie charged me the same price for my new Signature 15 as any other customer would have paid (under the Sept promo). But I believe in full disclosure. Vinnie is very above board, and that's one of the many things I like about him.
So when I tell you something is the best thing since sliced bread, take my word if you choose, but know there will likely be plenty of reviewers and other customers who echo what I say, and they MAY be more objective.
By the way, did I tell you this amp may just be the best thing since sliced bread? Yes... a couple of hours listening last night. Amazing! More to come...
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Which Ayre amps did you have before?
Looking forward to your thoughts on this piece.
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Hi Alwayswantmore,
Thanks for your posts! Looking forward to hearing your impressions after you have time to
burn in your Signature 15, and listen to it with those Omega Alnico 6s!
Next week more Signature 15s will be shipping to all of you on the wait list - thanks for all your patience.
Yes - reviews to follow (6moons, ToneAudio, and many more!)
Happy listening!
Vinnie
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Sounds like you were using the Sig30.2 LFP-V in your system, isn't the Signature 15 a step down from that?
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I'm also very interested to hear a review... I'm currently saving for the Sig 15 and Isabellina.
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Hi all, couple more details...
My Ayre was V3, with all mods except Airconditioning (or however they spell it). Balance of equipment at that time:
Wadia 830 CDP with factory mod second power supply and digital input board (Wadia recommended to bypass a linestage, and run directly from the CD player, which I did)
Vandersteen 2W sub
Energy AE-1 monitors on Target lead-filled stands
Entire system was balanced, with pricy Vandersteen balanced xover (same as the 5s) and a fairly high end Transparent Audio balanced cable (about $1,000 retail).
The system sounded very good, but only when pushed to relatively high volume levels. [Bear in mind the AE-1s are like 82 - 83 db???, based on my memory]
The great thing about my current system is how great it sounds at all volumes levels, even low.
As far as comparing amps, I don't have the two side by side, so no direct A/B to be done. But I can speak to my philosophy...
Historically I had relied on boutique audio salons to select and purchase equipment. With a system typically in the $10 - 15K range, I tended to be a "low end" customer in this environment. So I was the little fish in a big pond.
I came to Vinnie and the Sig 30 by way of a purchase of AKG K1000 ear speakers (off ear headphones, no longer in production). These great "headphones" required high current, and a moderate amount of watts. Turns out Vinnie's (new at the time) Signature 30 was a very musical amp to drive the Ks.
It wasn't too long before Vinnie had me hooked and I began putting my moderately pricey and high-power gear on Audiogon to be replaced by off the grid components and high-efficiency single driver speakers. In every case retail for the new item was lower than what I sold -- and in some cases I actually made money on the "swap" -- but with each move the system sounded better.
I had gone from years of chasing good sound, to having found great sound. My drive to alwayswantmore was finally being satiated.
So my current philosophy is less is more.
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.. sorry, got called for dinner...
Another thought on comparing amps is it depends...
- how efficient are your speakers?
- how large is your listening room?
- what type of music do you listen to?
- at what volume levels do you listen?
With pretty much every major component I've owned, even going back to early Audio Research and Klipsh in the mid-late 70s, I've always made contact with the owner / founder or person in charge of sales to talk about my needs (in truth, sometimes this was after my initial purchase).
Some of these guys: Louis Chochos / Omega; Charlie Hansen / Ayre; and Vinnie from Red Wine have gone out of their way to help.
So in my case I listen in a small room; to fairly efficient speakers; to primarily vocals and small instrumental; at moderate volume. So for me, 15 watts is still overkill. But for others, 30 watts from the Signature 30 may be more in line.
For anyone seriously interested about this amp, or any other moderately high end product, is to get on the phone and talk to the top dog in the company. Remember, for these guys time is valuable. But in my personal experience, if you are seriously interested in a purchase, they will gladly make time to help you make the right decision.
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... 100 hours is going to be a painful wait! ...
In the past I've tried to run new gear for long stretches to speed break in. My current home setup makes this a difficult proposition for my wife, so break-in mostly comes in 2 hour spurts of listening.
Lacking proper break in, I fear posting conclusions prematurely that may be inaccurate, so I ran my initial impressions by Vinnie for validation...
Turns out Vinnie is without power due to the snow storm, but he did manage to get a quick note back, with a promise to expand his response when time allows. One thing he validated -- which struck me from first listen -- it the Signature 15 is brighter in comparison to Sig 30.2 LFP-V Edition.
I know for audiophiles that bright is a bad word, as in it can mean edgy. But this is not the case. What I hear is like the colors of paint on the listening canvas are simply more vivid.
The difference between the two amps may be a plus depending the balance of your system, but in my case this is a plus. It also adds life to low volume levels, so again a plus for late night listening.
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... finishing out the system ...
Both units equipped with Amperex 7308s, based on Vinnie’s recommendation, some time ago. Details:
- Amperex USN-CEP (military grade), gold pins, 7308 tubes
- Matched pair
- 1965 production, white letter, U.S.A. (Amperex New York) manufacturer (Philips) Amperex factory date code: VR5 *5D
Interconnect is Oritek X-2, no longer made. This was well received on Headhi by K1000 owners. I've had limited cables to compare to, but I am very happy with this IC (about $500 when purchased).
I'm running on the cheap for speaker cables -- here I purchased unterminated Anti-Cable, and have it lightly twisted. This stuff is cheap, but its heavy-duty solid copper, and like working with coat hangers. It's all I've ever run with Omegas, so nothing else to compare it to.
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I have enough feedback from Vinnie to be comfortable reporting a few more of my findings. Again I have been concerned to report too early (prior to full break in) and mislead anyone...
Things you can expect comparing Sig 30.2 LFP-V Edition to Signature 15 LFP-V Edition. Some are differences and their value will depend on your associated equipment:
The Signature 15 is more open at low listening levels. The best I have ever heard in my listening room on this point.
Lacking the full wattage of the Signature 30.2, the Sig 15 is not as strong on loud dynamics or big crescendos. As an example, Diana Krall's Girl in the next room has a very dynamic rim shot on the opening on one of the first few songs on the album. The rim shot is more realistic on the 30.2 – in fact it can be startling coming out of relative silence (I'm a drummer, so this was an obvious thing to pick up).
I already mentioned the Sig 15 has a brighter sound signature. Again, not edgy, but move vivid rendition of each instrument.
Brass, woodwinds are marvelous, because they are clear with beautiful tone, but again not harsh or overly etched.
The soundstage is wonderful horizontally. So far it is not as tall (but there are recordings where the Signature 30.2 placed instruments “above” the stage – impressive for your friends, but not true to life).
I love live recordings and the sense of ambiance in the room. So far the Signature 30.2 has the edge for room ambiance, but Vinnie tell me the 15 needs at least 100 hours before I really know where it stands on this variable.
More to come…
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Diana Krall's Girl in the next room has a very dynamic rim shot on the opening on one of the first few songs on the album. The rim shot is more realistic on the 30.2 – in fact it can be startling coming out of relative silence (I'm a drummer, so this was an obvious thing to pick up).
...the cut is Temptation. I’m a little embarrassed... it's not rim shot with a stick, he's using a brush. Still a cool cut to turn up and have the intro come for pure silence. :green: :duh: :green:
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You've amped my excitement for the sig 15 - looking forward to hearing more as you listen. Thanks for posting.
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...the cut is Temptation. I’m a little embarrassed... it's not rim shot with a stick, he's using a brush. Still a cool cut to turn up and have the intro come for pure silence. :green: :duh: :green:
... tonight's mission: dynamics ...
In an earlier post I mention dynamics seemed lacking in compare to the Sig 30. It's been bugging me, cause short of this factor, this amp is doing a superb job.
So tonight after a couple hours warm up watching a movie with my wife, I began digging through a bunch of favorite cuts to try to get a better handle on what's up.
First stop was back to Krall's Girl in the Next Room CD mentioned earlier. I have to apologize --- when I first made the comment on dynamics I was reflecting back on a couple hours of listening impressions. In my haste I thought it was Temptation that had the offending (lack) of dynamic. A couple times through the first few songs tonight I now realize it was actually Girl in the Next Room (the song) that prompted the initial comment (the build in first verse).
So with the record (finally) set straight, I played these cuts along with a number of others with dynamics and heavy bass. And yes, still this area was still lacking.
Next stop was the Deep Hemp sub woofer for settings. Checked polarity both ways, and yes it was set right. How about gain? Here's a case where I reach behind the speaker for the on/off switch positioned ~1/2" from the gain control. I knew on at least one recent occasion my finger hit the gain control. Net, net is I brought gain up a couple notchs and the vast majority of my initial impression in terms of this being a deficiency is now erased.
I also ran through a bunch of other cuts featuring bass. I the overall tone, tauntness, texture of bass is excellent.
I run my Deep Hemp in parallel off speaker wires, but there is an option for RCA in. A gain controlled RCA out comes standard on the Signature integrated amps, so one of my next experiments will be line-level to the sub. The line outs on the Sig come post tube stage, so they should have the advantage of Vinnie's signature sound with no regard to the output stage. So to the extent the sub is run by line-level signals, the bass response on this amp should be essentially the same as the Sig 30.
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... stress test ...
I love loud rock, just not in my listening room. For me it's the car or live when I play in one of my bands. Point is, loud is nowhere near top on my priority list.
Today my wife went shopping, so I had a chance to crank it up. AC/DC Back in Black, Eagles Hotel California live, John Mayer Room for Squares. Bear in mind I have a powered sub...
Loud for me ran between 12:00 and maybe 2:30. This was a volume I could not sustain for more than a minute or two.
At this volume there was no perceptible distortion, and the subfloor shook. Most impressive was Hotel California live, with the deep congas that start the song. Clear as a bell. Second goes to John, with some very clean and well articulated bass lines on a well recorded pop album. Biggest disappointment goes to Back in Black. I know from past experience with my own equipment, this can be an impressive album. But the Sig 15 + Alnicos and AC/DC are not a marriage made in heaven.
Overall, on a not fully broken in unit, and very brief audition, I’ll give the Sig 15 a 7 to maybe 8 for loud rock. Best in my room so far goes to the 100 watt balanced Ayre V3 / AE-2 +Vandersteen 2W, or maybe the original Sig 30 with Omega Compact Hemps and Vandersteen 2W (96 db sensitivity for the Hemps). So if loud SPLs are tops on your wish list… well, you probably aren’t reading this thread anyway.
What does this mean?
At $1,500 I don’t expect an amp to be the very best at everything, so it’s matter of picking your poison. Or possibly more aptly put, picking your seduction.
This is an amp whose seductive allure rests in its ability to draw you into the performance – especially for trios, quartets and vocals (based on my listening preferences). Rockers need not apply, or save your bucks for Liliana monoblocks, and get it all to our collective envy.
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P.S. ... to be fair on the previous post, the Ayre V3 and a Sig 30.2 run 2x price compared to a Sig 15, so not exactly apples to apples. But if you listen like I do, price is not the final word in which amp wins my heart or vote.
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… the reviews are coming …
This out today: http://www.6moons.com/audioreviews/redwine14/1.html
So other owners and possibly some of the professional reviewers may weigh in before my amp reaches the 100-hour mark. But I’ve heard enough to answer this question: Could the Signature 15 actually sound better then the Sig 30.2?
The short answer is YES. And for those who want insight into how much better, keep reading…
My music system reached a pinnacle sometime in late 2008. My Omega Compact Hemps had been replaced by the then newly released Omega Super 6 Alnico single-drivers, and I had just purchased an Isabella preamp to mate with my Sig 30.2.
[For perspective, my Isabella purchase came prior to 6moon’s Srajan Ebaen very positive review and prior to my joining Vinnie’s marketing team.]
But a year or so ago, to pocket some cash for other needs, I sold the Isabella to be replaced by my current Isabellina HPA LFP-V Edition. Acquisition of the HPA came partnered with an LFP-V upgrade for my Sig 30.2.
At the time I knew my path had diverged from the best Vinnie had to offer. But I was hoping the LFP-V upgrades might fill the void created by selling my Isabella. But such was not the case.
After selling the Isabella, and even with the LFP-V upgrades, my system was just not the same. It sounded great by most standards, but I had been spoiled by the level of flesh and blood Isabella could hang on the performers.
Enter the Signature 15
As owner number one, I have the unique position of writing the first impressions of this product. An honor I don’t take lightly. And unlike the professional reviews to come, I am not in a position to do direct A/B compares, rather I must rely on my memory. That said, here it is...
For my tastes in music, my system, and my listening room, Sig 15 is the better sounding amp. The obvious areas of improvement:
- More transparent – by a surprising margin
- Brighter, sound (as I’ve said before, in a good way)
- More extended and sweeter highs
- Performers are more solidified and distinguished from their counterparts on the soundstage
So where does that leave me? Now with an HPA and a Sig 15 I'm feeling like the sound is in the same general league as what I had with the Isabella and Sig 30.2. Not to lose perspective, my Isabella and Sig 30.2 were pre LFP-V days. So I have never heard the best Vinnie has to offer. And maybe given the budget constraints I live with, that’s a good thing.
Considerations
- No one component, especially at this price point is expected to be the very best at everything. If the Sig 15 was as good as it gets, there would be no market for Vinnies new mono-blocks about to be released @ $6K / pair. But I dare say, for many audiophiles, and even at this relatively modest price point, this amp has the potential to spoil.
- For anyone on a limited budget, this amp will rise to the level of associated components. Said another way, save a few bucks on your power amp and put the difference into a better DAC or speaker upgrade.
Your mileage may vary
In my case I want to hear the felt come off the strings when Diana Krall pushes a foot pedal. I want to hear saliva crack as Linda Ronstadt opens her mouth in anticipation of her next phrase (the Nelson Riddle recordings). I want to hear each instrument clearly defined in space, with depth and positioning easily identifiable. I want natural tone and timbre, instruments that sound real and not etched or hard. I want the speakers to completely disappear, and for musicians on the soundstage to appear in three dimensions, including front to back depth.
Others may look to impress with shear volume or power, so good is relative to a person's tastes. For my taste, Vinnie hit a homerun with this one.
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Thanks for the excellent review. I was already committed to the Sig 15 after much research and talks with Vinnie. You verified what I am hoping for... extreme accuracy and detail without the need for massive power. I too find myself in a small listening space and a fairly close listening position... that coupled with fairly efficient speakers and no need for ear-busting SPLs puts the sig 15 at the top of my list.
Regarding the 6moons article... I really hope there is more to come, as the two pages that are available right now are not really a review... more of a 'product awareness' piece. Don't get me wrong, there's good information there, but its not as thorough as the full-blown reviews with comparisons that we are used to from 6moons...
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Those first 2 pages are pretty standard for a 6moons preview. Largely a communication of info from manufacurer and putting the product in context. Then come the critical impressions as more time is spent with the unit...
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Ah, good - I thought that was probably what was happening... I guess I never noticed that they publish reviews in piecemeal.
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Alwayswantmore,
Thanks for all your posts and updates as you have been spending quality listening time with it - much appreciated.
Hi fallbalance,
Yes - 6moons has a section called "Previews" (which is where the Sig 15 is right now), and the official "Reviews" section - where the preview is added to with detailed listening impressions, comparisons, and the full review and summary. The review loaner is en route to Srajan of 6moons today, so I expect that it will arrive next week.
To all those who have placed their Sig 15 orders,
We have been catching up with shipping them this week (last week was a nightmare with the 5 day power outage). I really appreciate all your patience.
More to come soon...
Vinnie
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"I run my Deep Hemp in parallel off speaker wires, but there is an option for RCA in. A gain controlled RCA out comes standard on the Signature integrated amps, so one of my next experiments will be line-level to the sub."
Hey Alwayswantmore - have you had a chance to try the sub via line-level outs? Thanks...
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Hi radarnyc. Yes I did switch some time ago. Only made the move once and they have been running that way ever since. I'll switch back and see if I can pick out any difference and report back.
The system is sounding really good. I'm doing a gig a week from tonight, and part of the show includes some Diana Krall covers. Last night I was going through the songs and then just started running through various Krall tracks. It was amazing how much difference I could hear in the piano and vocals from recording to recording (based on the engineering / mics, etc.). Some of the recordings were real close micing, which I love. This amp is amazingly transparent.
"I run my Deep Hemp in parallel off speaker wires, but there is an option for RCA in. A gain controlled RCA out comes standard on the Signature integrated amps, so one of my next experiments will be line-level to the sub."
Hey Alwayswantmore - have you had a chance to try the sub via line-level outs? Thanks...
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All,
Just remember (per the owner's manual):
IMPORTANT: The negative (-) speaker outputs of both channels of your Signature 15 LFP-V Edition stereo amplifier DO NOT share a common ground! Therefore, NEVER connect the speaker outputs to a subwoofer or any other device that has speaker-level inputs that have a common ground. In other words, do NOT connect the negative (-) speaker binding posts together. Doing so will short the outputs of the amplifier stage and cause your Signature 15 LFP-V Edition to shut down if it overheats.
The Class AB MOSFET output stage is bridged, so the LEFT NEGATIVE and RIGHT NEGATIVE are not
tied together and should not be tied together.
However, there are quite a few subs out there that do not tie the speaker-level negative inputs together (e.g. The Omega Deep Hemp), so these will work fine.
Otherwise...
1) Use the line-level preamp outputs to connect to the line-level inputs.
2) You can connect a 100-ohm resistor in series with each negative speaker wire that
connects to the sub. This will work fine.
3) No subwoofer for you! :nono: :green:
Vinnie
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Hi all. Re switching from RCA to speaker level inputs on the sub.... I'm waiting for a day when my wife is out of the house so I can bring the volume up a bit prior to the comparison. Sorry for the delay. The system is sounding sweet!
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All,
Today I shipped another Signature 15 Integrated - this time to Tone Audio! 8)
We're working on our next batch...
Best regards,
Vinnie
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driving the Deep Hemp Sub via line outs vs speaker outputs
Finally had the time to listen loud and deep. Material included early Flim & the BBs, fusion (kick, electric bass & synth), Eagles When Hell Freezes Over / Hotel California (deep congas), Patricia Barber Nightclub / Autumn Leaves (acoustic bass).
Identifying differences was very difficult. I finally went back and forth multiple times on Hotel California and Autumn Leaves. There is no way I could tell which I was listening to if brought into the room blindfolded.
The only difference I could identify with reasonable confidence is the speaker outputs appears to have a little more bloom. By this I mean a little more sense of resonance from the instrument (conga / acoustic bass). I preferred the additional bloom and left the sub connected via speaker outputs.
The amp has broken in very nicely and is a superb unit. Even areas where I initially had concerns have come along nicely. I had the Sig 15 set at about 1:30 on the volume control the first time I played Hotel California. When the conga first came in I literally jumped because it was so loud and deep.
Vinnie got this one right 8)
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I'm excited about upcoming reviews on this amp and also the new mono.
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Curious to read the 6moons review too. This thread describes it as relatively bright, though reading through the letters section on 6moons I see Srajan describe it as "denser meatier" (than a First Watt S2). Could be both I guess. Will be an interesting read no doubt. Cheers
B
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Hi Dewar, without rereading the thread, I'm not sure where I refer to amp as bright. The words that I'm left with are transparent (as in you hear past the equipment to the musical performance) and organic (in the instruments and vocals sound very natural). I'm a musician and I'm around live music every week. This amp is as real and lifelike as I have experienced in my home. I owned an F1 for a short period (returned it and paid the 10% restocking fee). This amp, to my memory, has much more feeling of being there. The timbre is very accurate for all classes of musical instruments. Vocals are very nature, etc. So if I left the impression it is bright, I am sorry, because that is not the case.
If Srajan refered to it as "dense and meaty," I agree as follows: Based on my listening I would translate this to mean there is more flesh and blood on the aural canvas on which the amp paints... As in what I hear allows my mind to better "see" the musicians with their instruments. All of this supports why I believe this is amp is more than just a good deal.
Curious to read the 6moons review too. This thread describes it as relatively bright, though reading through the letters section on 6moons I see Srajan describe it as "denser meatier" (than a First Watt S2). Could be both I guess. Will be an interesting read no doubt. Cheers
B
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You did twice describe it as brighter than the Sig 30, but not pejoratively. I certainly dont use it as a bad word either - every amp falls somewhere on a light-dark continuum and there's always a pretty even chance of one or the other favoring any given speaker/room... and other important qualities than an amps tonal leaning. Brighter/more 'lit up' does normally go against a 'flesh and bones' type of density, but as I say both the Sig 15 and Sig 30 might be relatively dense amps compared to the First Watts for example, certainly thats my (old) memory of my Sig 30 next to my F5.
Thanks for your input. I'm betting the Sig 15 is a winner.
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Gotcha. I have always felt the Sig 30/30.2 to be slightly reticent in the highs. This amp feels like highs are more extended and have more air. This characteristic along with its transparency result in a very clear window to the performance.
You did twice describe it as brighter than the Sig 30, but not pejoratively. I certainly dont use it as a bad word either - every amp falls somewhere on a light-dark continuum and there's always a pretty even chance of one or the other favoring any given speaker/room... and other important qualities than an amps tonal leaning. Brighter/more 'lit up' does normally go against a 'flesh and bones' type of density, but as I say both the Sig 15 and Sig 30 might be relatively dense amps compared to the First Watts for example, certainly thats my (old) memory of my Sig 30 next to my F5.
Thanks for your input. I'm betting the Sig 15 is a winner.
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Did you happen to catch the continuation of the 6moons preview? I found the comparisons to Nelson's SIT-2 very interesting. Congrats Vinnie
http://www.6moons.com/audioreviews/redwine14/1.html (http://www.6moons.com/audioreviews/redwine14/1.html)
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In reading the article again, I just noticed one of the photos. The sig15 and SIT-2 look a little David and Goliath themed!
(http://www.audiocircle.com/image.php?id=55901)
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Did you happen to catch the continuation of the 6moons preview? I found the comparisons to Nelson's SIT-2 very interesting. Congrats Vinnie
http://www.6moons.com/audioreviews/redwine14/1.html (http://www.6moons.com/audioreviews/redwine14/1.html)
Hi radarnyc,
Thanks for the link!
I sent the Sig 15 to Srajan with the stock JJ tube, but man, when you tube roll it (e.g. MiniWatt Dario 7308, Mullard CV2492, Amperex 7308, and many others), you can really fine-tune it to sound even more tube-like with more depth and dimension, or with something like the EAT CoolValve or Siemens CCa, you'll get even more top-end transparency that Srajan is getting from the SIT-2.
Gotcha. I have always felt the Sig 30/30.2 to be slightly reticent in the highs. This amp feels like highs are more extended and have more air. This characteristic along with its transparency result in a very clear window to the performance.
Hi Alwayswantmore,
You are spot on with this - and I wanted to have the richness of the 30.2 LFP-V, but with more top-end extension and low-level detail and and overall better sense of transparency. Moving to the Class AB FET output stage (with the Class A tube input stage before it) got me there, and the LFP battery makes it punchy, dynamic, and in pure BATT mode gives a super black background (as Srajan picked up, even with those highly sensitive Rethms that I'd love to hear!).
I'm excited about upcoming reviews on this amp and also the new mono.
Hi Tommy123,
The Liliana Monoblocks are like the Sig 15, but with real power to drive almost any speaker. They have EVERYTHING and are our finest amplifiers yet! I'm very excited to get them into production. We hit some delays/errors with our enclosure manufacturer, as well as our OEM design battery packs being about an 1/2" too long to fit in their custom designed brackets. :banghead: Corrections are being made and I still am optimistic that we'll be in product this month (but just a few weeks delayed).
Thanks, everyone!
Vinnie
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More customer feedback here:
http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=98262.msg1032562#msg1032562
Next Signature 15 review will be from Tone Audio, and one will also be going to:
http://parttimeaudiophile.com/
He has the Tekton Lores (excellent value and amazing combo with the Signature 15!) and
the Tekton Pendragons:
http://parttimeaudiophile.com/2012/01/02/part-one-introducing-the-tekton-pendragon-option-ii/
I want to hear them!!!
Vinnie
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I'm excited and honored to learn that the Signature 15 has just earned a
Blue Moon Award from reviewer Srajan Ebaen of 6moons.com
(http://www.6moons.com/audioreviews/redwine14/award.png)
Here is the link to page 1 of the 5-page review:
http://www.6moons.com/audioreviews/redwine14/1.html
First review for the Signature 15 - and a nice way to start off 2012! :beer:
More great stuff coming soon....
Vinnie
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Congrats Vinnie,
I agree with Srajan, achieving tonal density at the price point of the Signature 15 is a real achievement. Congratulations.
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...OK guys (and gals), a Blue Moon award is not the same as a 6Moons award, in BMAs are handed out only once in a...
I've now read the review twice. It has MANY great things to say about this amp, which IMO are well deserved. And yes, again, the BM award is great. But IMO Srajan missed the boat...
Here he is trying the amp with different cables to get a little more of this or that out of the system, yet he's running with stock JJs. For much less than the cables he could have brought the amp to a whole 'nother playing field just by rolling tubes. For perspective, I could not even listen to my gear with stock tubes. So he has never really heard what this amp can deliver. Its like running an Indy car on budget tires.
Now you can argue he's comparing stock to stock, when the Sig 15 is up against the First Watt SIT-2. But the FW is $5,000 without a volume control. For the multi-grand difference, most of us could pop for a NOS tube or two.
I'm not trying to be sour grapes, a Blue Moon Award is fantastic! And Vinnie and crew should be proud to receive this recognition. But for a $100 to couple hundred in NOS tubes, Srajan could have taken this amp out on the audio Autobahan and run against some pricy supercars. So thanks Srajan for recognizing the greatness of this amp. I only wish you could have heard it as I do in my listening room.
Respectfully, Kent
P.S. I have Srajan to thank for finding RWA. If not for his initial review of the Sig 30, and an e-mail exchange we had in the same timeframe, I might still be running a space heater as my power source. He was the man that provided the impetus for me to put the original Sig 30 side by side with an F1. Yes, the exercise set me back more than $250 in restocking fees to return the F1. But my five+ year relationship with Vinnie and his products more than justifies this small investment in great sound.
Congratulations again Vinnie. Job well done!
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Now you can argue he's comparing stock to stock, when the Sig 15 is up against the First Watt SIT-2. But the FW is $5,000 without a volume control. For the multi-grand difference, most of us could pop for a NOS tube or two.
Yeah...the SIT-2, as a power amp, has no remote and single input source; requires preamp.
I'm ready to buy a sig15, anyone else?
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I'm VERY interested in this - I also have Tekton Lores and have been eyeing the Signature 15 very carefully. I greatly enjoyed the Sig. 30 and then 30.2 for a couple years before experimenting in different (less expensive) directions. In the meantime, the LFP-V variants have come out, and now this Sig 15 seems to have it all in one package. Could be just the thing to marry with my Tranquility SE DAC that I'm quite happy with and also the Lores.
More customer feedback here:
http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=98262.msg1032562#msg1032562
Next Signature 15 review will be from Tone Audio, and one will also be going to:
http://parttimeaudiophile.com/
He has the Tekton Lores (excellent value and amazing combo with the Signature 15!) and
the Tekton Pendragons:
http://parttimeaudiophile.com/2012/01/02/part-one-introducing-the-tekton-pendragon-option-ii/
I want to hear them!!!
Vinnie
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Genjamon,
I think that would be a pretty fabublous set up. With a tube buffer an remote and clean battery power? Wow.
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I think that the following sums up Srajan's review the best:
"It still felt like rich caffe latte with cream, slightly chocolaty in fact. But the caffeine content had gone up to approach single espresso level." :wink:
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I've now read the review twice. It has MANY great things to say about this amp, which IMO are well deserved. And yes, again, the BM award is great. But IMO Srajan missed the boat...
Here he is trying the amp with different cables to get a little more of this or that out of the system, yet he's running with stock JJs. For much less than the cables he could have brought the amp to a whole 'nother playing field just by rolling tubes. For perspective, I could not even listen to my gear with stock tubes. So he has never really heard what this amp can deliver. Its like running an Indy car on budget tires.
Now you can argue he's comparing stock to stock, when the Sig 15 is up against the First Watt SIT-2. But the FW is $5,000 without a volume control. For the multi-grand difference, most of us could pop for a NOS tube or two.
I'm not trying to be sour grapes, a Blue Moon Award is fantastic! And Vinnie and crew should be proud to receive this recognition. But for a $100 to couple hundred in NOS tubes, Srajan could have taken this amp out on the audio Autobahan and run against some pricy supercars. So thanks Srajan for recognizing the greatness of this amp. I only wish you could have heard it as I do in my listening room.
Respectfully, Kent
P.S. I have Srajan to thank for finding RWA. If not for his initial review of the Sig 30, and an e-mail exchange we had in the same timeframe, I might still be running a space heater as my power source. He was the man that provided the impetus for me to put the original Sig 30 side by side with an F1. Yes, the exercise set me back more than $250 in restocking fees to return the F1. But my five+ year relationship with Vinnie and his products more than justifies this small investment in great sound.
Congratulations again Vinnie. Job well done!
As I've been heavily considering a Signature 15, the more I think about Srajan's review, the more ridiculous it seems. I just finished reading the Soundstage review of the Eximus - the DAC/pre combo unit that Srajan had to pair with the First Watt SIT-2 amplifier. Not only are Kent's comments/criticisms interestingly valid, I suspect, but this Eximus unit also doesn't sound like a relative worth comparing to the RWA sound. It clearly sounds like it's cut from a different cloth. The Soundstage review uses terms like "crystalline" and describes a sound that is highly detailed, very precise imaging, and "transparent". Not that Vinnie's products don't have good imaging and soundstaging, great detail, and the like, but the Eximus sounds like a unit that goes a bit if a different direction toward the more hyper-detailed end vs. Vinnie's more organic approach.
So, you pair the Eximus detail DAC/pre with the much more expensive SIT-2, already a pretty different game than the tube/SS hybrid Signature 15 unit, plus you don't even try any tube swapping. Seems to me 6moons rushed this review a good bit. You can't tell me Srajan didn't have access to a tube pre or something more akin to the Signature 15's tube buffer to play with and a couple extra tubes to swap.
I also don't want to dog on Srajan or 6moons too much, as I've really appreciated the (albeit sometimes a bit wordy) reading and insights over the years. I just can't help but feel like the new RWA creation got a bit of the short shrift, and as a potentially interested party, I'm left feeling like the Signature 15's first professional review left me with as many questions as it answered.
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My answer to audio is the same as pro drum gear. Use reviews to narrow your selections. Use you ears and a good return policy to determine which purchases are right for you.
As I've been heavily considering a Signature 15, the more I think about Srajan's review, the more ridiculous it seems. I just finished reading the Soundstage review of the Eximus - the DAC/pre combo unit that Srajan had to pair with the First Watt SIT-2 amplifier. Not only are Kent's comments/criticisms interestingly valid, I suspect, but this Eximus unit also doesn't sound like a relative worth comparing to the RWA sound. It clearly sounds like it's cut from a different cloth. The Soundstage review uses terms like "crystalline" and describes a sound that is highly detailed, very precise imaging, and "transparent". Not that Vinnie's products don't have good imaging and soundstaging, great detail, and the like, but the Eximus sounds like a unit that goes a bit if a different direction toward the more hyper-detailed end vs. Vinnie's more organic approach.
So, you pair the Eximus detail DAC/pre with the much more expensive SIT-2, already a pretty different game than the tube/SS hybrid Signature 15 unit, plus you don't even try any tube swapping. Seems to me 6moons rushed this review a good bit. You can't tell me Srajan didn't have access to a tube pre or something more akin to the Signature 15's tube buffer to play with and a couple extra tubes to swap.
I also don't want to dog on Srajan or 6moons too much, as I've really appreciated the (albeit sometimes a bit wordy) reading and insights over the years. I just can't help but feel like the new RWA creation got a bit of the short shrift, and as a potentially interested party, I'm left feeling like the Signature 15's first professional review left me with as many questions as it answered.
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No doubt. I'm at a disadvantage, living in the middle of Kansas without access to dealers or other means to hear before I buy, so I have to rely on reviews and forums more than would be ideal. Still, I have great confidence in Vinnie's products given my positive experiences as a past owner. The insight I have given my past ownership is what leads me to be interested once again and also to be disappointed that the review wasn't very helpful in triangulating my expectations between that experience, your own comments, Kent, and those of the review. I'm hoping the upcoming additional reviews shed some additional light.
Luckily, Vinnie has a good return policy, and when I'm ready that will serve this process very well. I just don't want to pull the trigger before I'm really ready - wouldn't want to waste his time/money or any of my own if I wasn't fully committed to exploring that route yet.
My answer to audio is the same as pro drum gear. Use reviews to narrow your selections. Use you ears and a good return policy to determine which purchases are right for you.