AudioCircle

Industry Circles => Audio by Van Alstine => Topic started by: aln on 11 Oct 2017, 06:27 pm

Title: How is the RMAF going for all things Van Alstine?
Post by: aln on 11 Oct 2017, 06:27 pm
Any pictures?
Title: Re: How is the RMAF going for all things Van Alstine?
Post by: avahifi on 12 Oct 2017, 06:23 pm
We had an excellent show pairing with Alta Audio using their amazing flagship Titanium Hestia loudspeakers.  http://alta-audio.com/collection/

We powered the Hestias with our brand new DVA 4/2 amplifier running in the four channel mode, with each speaker bi-amplified from two of the four channels.  http://avahifi.com/products/power-amplifiers/dva-premium-amplifiers/dva-4-2-amplifier

We also had the use of complete AntiCable interconnects, power cords, and speaker cables.  http://anticables.com/

in addition, we had the use of a top of the line VPI turntable  http://www.vpiindustries.com/avenger-reference and a Soundsmith Hyperion phono cartridge.  https://www.sound-smith.com/index.php

This combination gave us the best sound we have ever had at a trade show.  Our room was completely full most of the time (in spite of reports of poor attendance) and people visiting our room stayed and listened, most not just poking their heads in the door.

One of our sources was records of course, and we were really pleased how well our Vision Q phono preamp performed with state of the art source material.  http://avahifi.com/products/for-vinyl-lovers/vision-riaa-phono-preamplifier  The phono section was built into our brand new Fet Valve CFR remote control preamplifier, never seen before in public.

(http://www.audiocircle.com/image.php?id=169739)

We also played computer stored music on my Mac from Redbook to PCM 192/24 and DSD 64 and DSD 128 through our new DAC MK FIVE with also excellent musicality. http://avahifi.com/products/d-to-a-converters Some listeners commented that our room was one of the two best they had heard at the show, and the other had electronics costing 20 times as much as our AVA components.

Dean Barnell and I made the 1860 mile round trip from Woodbury, MN in my old Audi Avant S6 with no issues at an average speed of 65 MPH and 20 MPG total packing all our equipment back and forth.

Mary Staples, Larry Jenkins, and Mithat Konar, our EE, got to fly back and forth.

We left Denver thinking we had made a really good presentation.  No glitches, no equipment failures, just a nice time with great support from Mike Levy of Alta.  Now just waiting to hear from some of our room visitors, although sales of AVA equipment started even before the end of the show.

Frank

Title: Great write up from stereophile as well.
Post by: aln on 12 Oct 2017, 10:01 pm
Congrats!
Title: Stereophile’s Jason Victor Serinus was impressed with our room.
Post by: avahifi on 12 Oct 2017, 10:10 pm
" the best sound I have ever heard from low-cost Van Alstine equipment at an audio show"

https://www.stereophile.com/content/jvs-works-his-way-marriott-tower#qf0bmiAXWvM3tHG7.01

Frank
Title: Re: How is the RMAF going for all things Van Alstine?
Post by: Mary on 13 Oct 2017, 02:26 pm
Here is a photo of our room.


(http://www.audiocircle.com/image.php?id=169785)
Title: Re: How is the RMAF going for all things Van Alstine?
Post by: I.Greyhound Fan on 13 Oct 2017, 03:30 pm
Very nice room.  How does the new Preamp Fet Valve CFR differ from the previous?

Larry
Title: Re: How is the RMAF going for all things Van Alstine?
Post by: avahifi on 13 Oct 2017, 05:43 pm
Other than the new standard remote controled functions; volume, source selection, on-off, and dim display, there are significant layout improvements that combine for better sound.

All of the long internal wiring connecting input jacks to the selector switch is eliminated and grounding layout is improved.  New high quality RCA jacks used.  Shorter signal paths and more.

Its just super musical and easy to use.

Frank
Title: Re: How is the RMAF going for all things Van Alstine?
Post by: I.Greyhound Fan on 13 Oct 2017, 06:20 pm
Other than the new standard remote controled functions; volume, source selection, on-off, and dim display, there are significant layout improvements that combine for better sound.

All of the long internal wiring connecting input jacks to the selector switch is eliminated and grounding layout is improved.  New high quality RCA jacks used.  Shorter signal paths and more.

Its just super musical and easy to use.

Frank

If you want me to do a review, let me know.  If you still have the older model available I can compare the 2.

Larry
Title: Re: How is the RMAF going for all things Van Alstine?
Post by: Phil A on 13 Oct 2017, 06:50 pm
The room sounded really nice.  I heard the smaller Alta Audio speakers previously at the Capital Audiofest a couple of years back.


(http://www.audiocircle.com/image.php?id=169788)
Title: Re: How is the RMAF going for all things Van Alstine?
Post by: garyalex on 13 Oct 2017, 10:27 pm
I visited the room three times.  The sound was spectacular.  I thought this room was easily one of the best at this year's show.  Well done.
Title: Re: How is the RMAF going for all things Van Alstine?
Post by: rlee8394 on 13 Oct 2017, 10:54 pm
Frank,

Has pricing been set for the new Fet Valve CFR preamp?

-Ron
Title: Re: How is the RMAF going for all things Van Alstine?
Post by: Tone Depth on 14 Oct 2017, 12:14 am
Stereophile reported a price of $2,628, I recall Frank writing that there would be a show discount price of x%. Love the new feature set.

What was the equipment on the lower shelves of the left rack?

Frank,

Has pricing been set for the new Fet Valve CFR preamp?

-Ron
Title: Re: How is the RMAF going for all things Van Alstine?
Post by: avahifi on 14 Oct 2017, 10:23 pm
The base price of the brand new Fet Valve CFR preamplifier is $2299 including the full function remote and the thick, machined silver faceplate.  The Vision Q adjustable phono option is $329.00.  This is actually $100 less then the model it replaces with better functionally and sound.

Note that a RB (real basic) version of the Fet Valve CF preamp is now available at $1499.  Four switchable inputs, volume control, built in headphone circuits, and simple black faceplate.  Vision Q phono option at $329.

We will have production units available to ship in early November.

All AVA equipment is available at our RMAF sale prices until the end of October; 10% off on any single unit, or 15% off on purchase of two or more units.

The unit on the bottom left lower shelf in the equipment rack was a PS Audio power conditioner provided by them for our use st the show. The black faced unit above it was the power supply for the VPI turntable.

Frank