AudioCircle
Other Stuff => Archived Manufacturer Circles => Integrity Research and Development Company, Ltd => Topic started by: westcoast on 26 Jul 2005, 10:38 am
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Hey Curt. Can you give us an early forecast as to when the Audiophile preamp and the new active crossovers will be available for shipment?
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Hey Curt. Can you give us an early forecast as to when the Audiophile preamp and the new active crossovers will be available for shipment?
I'm doing some R&D on line level gain stages at the moment. Reevaluating my original designs, this is a key building block and it can be much more complex than it sounds.
Next I'll update the schematics and check each components features. We will also be changing the power supply a little to improve noise performance for the high-gain/ high-efficiency speaker guys. I hope to be in production in a about two months or less and new product should be selling before Christmas.
I'm shooting for the PT-2, PT-3 first and then the Audiophile last. Components should become available in this same order.
This is all I've got right now. We are working on this.
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I'm doing some R&D on line level gain stages at the moment. Reevaluating my original designs, this is a key building block and it can be much more complex than it sounds.
Next I'll update the schematics and check each components features. We will also be changing the power supply a little to improve noise performance for the high-gain/ high-efficiency speaker guys. I hope to be in production in a about two months or less and new product should be selling before Christmas.
I'm shooting for the PT-2, PT ...
Curt,
Can we get an update on the availability of the Audiophile preamp and the active crossovers?
Conor
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Curt,
Can we get an update on the availability of the Audiophile preamp and the active crossovers?
Conor
Hi Connor,
I just posted an update in "What's News" you can read what's going on at IRD and with the new compnents here: http://www.irdaudio.com/index.htm
Thank you for your interest.
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Hi Curt,
Is this the "new and improved" Purist with the lower noise floor and updated power supply? Thanks for your time and assitance.
Mike
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Thanks for the updates. Cant wait till 1q 06.
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Hi Curt,
Is this the "new and improved" Purist with the lower noise floor and updated power supply? Thanks for your time and assitance.
Mike
Hi Mike,
The Purists in Charlotte are the lastest version 1.01. This is the exact model reviewed by TNT Audio. They are all black faceplate models.
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I'm lazy.
Any chance for a remote?
Any pre-amp w/o a remote is a non-starter for me. I suspect the same is true for many other people. Makes the whole thing pretty user and wife unfriendly.
Your products look excellent. I love the concept of a high quality crossover right in the preamp.
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I'm lazy.
Any chance for a remote?
Any pre-amp w/o a remote is a non-starter for me. I suspect the same is true for many other people. Makes the whole thing pretty user and wife unfriendly.
Your products look excellent. I love the concept of a high quality crossover right in the preamp.
A remote has been a common request and it is being considered. We are thinking the remote sould be volume control only.
At this point I'm thinking that if it doesn't effect the audio quality it should be included.
Thank you for your input.
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Hi Curt,
according to a few French customers and happy owners of Purist, its only flaw is that it comes "remoteless".
My understanding is that you are considering implementing a remote control in the "Audiophile preamp".
Do you have any plans for the Purist regarding a remote control?
Thanks
Didier
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Hi Curt,
according to a few French customers and happy owners of Purist, its only flaw is that it comes "remoteless".
My understanding is that you are considering implementing a remote control in the "Audiophile preamp".
Do you have any plans for the Purist regarding a remote control?
Thanks
Didier
Hi Didier,
Thank you for your interest. We have been getting quite a bit of e-mail from France and Italy over the past few months. It's nice to chat with audiophiles from different places.
I wouldn't go as far as calling no remote a flaw. The Purist is our reference preamplifier and as its name suggests its design is very clean and simple which avoids unnecessary signal degradation.
I was considering a remote to increase the Purist volume control's attenuation before I added additional gain settings in revision 2.0 (still in the lab) but now the Swiss 24 pos volume control switch looks like the best choice again. So, at this time it looks like the Purist will not get a remote control.
We have decided to remote control the Audiophile preamplifier because there are just too many controls that need to be adjusted. A remote control will allow the adjustments to be made while sitting in the sweet spot, just like they should be. Balancing loudspeakers and integrating a sub woofer while using the built-in active crossover will be easy only requiring a few test CDs.
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Dear Curt,
sorry for naming the lack of a remote control a "flaw" !!!
My laziness has no boundary :lol:
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Dear Curt,
sorry for naming the lack of a remote control a "flaw" !!!
My laziness has no boundary :lol:
Dear Didier,
No problem, I understand. I like a remote myself, that's why it will be in the Audiophile preamp.
The Purist is our reference and we try to keep it as clean as possible. The more goodies we add the more chance to degrade the S/N ratio.
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Hey Curt...1st Qtr 2006 is almost up, is the Audiophile preamp still on scehdule?
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Hey Curt...1st Qtr 2006 is almost up, is the Audiophile preamp still on scehdule?
We are working on the Audiophile, the Purist 2.0, and the PT-2 all at the same time. None are ready for production yet but we are moving closer daily. This all I can tell you now.
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What the scoop on the Purist 2.0?
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What the scoop on the Purist 2.0?
It's just evolution. We are making a few changes for high-gain amplifier and/or high-efficiency loudspeaker systems. This gives the Purist 2.0 new opportunities. We are responding to requests.
The Purist is our reference preamp, we update it from time-to-time to reflect things that we have learned and customer requests. The last update was revision 1.01 in 2003. The reason the Purist is jumping from rev 1 to rev 2 is because it uses a new PCB (our second PCB).
Revision 2.0 includes:
1.) More low gain (< 0dB) selection choices. This added attenuation allows the 24 position volume control to maintain its full range level control in high-gain and high-efficiency systems.
2.) Lower power supply noise levels. This also helps quiet the system types above.
3.) A new PCB with a slightly different layout design. This optimizes everything old and new to give the best possible performance.
The Purist sounds the same. The lower noise floor in some systems might provide more low level detail thus improving the soundstage. In normal systems at 0dB gain there might not be a noticeable improvement.
The Purist rev 2.0 changes will be noticeable and welcomed in systems that use amplifiers with 30+ dB gain and/or loudspeakers with > 90dB @1W/1m efficiency.
The Audiophile will also be using the new Purist 2.0 technology.
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Curt, is there an upgrade path for owners of the Purist rev. 1.01?
Are you adding a gain setting for the 2.0, or just reconfiguring the three settings on the 1.01? Have you set pricing for the 2.0?
Thanks, Curt!
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Curt, is there an upgrade path for owners of the Purist rev. 1.01?
Are you adding a gain setting for the 2.0, or just reconfiguring the three settings on the 1.01? Have you set pricing for the 2.0?
Thanks, Curt!
The Purist is quite modular and easy to work on, anything can be replaced. We always allow an upgrade path for existing Purist owners.
We added more gain settings to the existing gain selector which means we also changed the faceplate silkscreen to show the available positions.
There is no plan to increase the Purist 2.0's MSRP or online pricing.
We do not recommend upgrading from rev 1.01 unless your system is high-gain or high-efficiency and requires the lower gain settings.
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Hello Curt,
It is nice to hear that everything is progressing well. When Purist 2.0 upgrade is available, please contact me. The recent upgrade of amps with high gain and sensitivity cause the audible hissing when putting the ear close to the speakers. I am glad to hear the new revision lower the noise level even further.
I hope the pink noise generator is staying. I have been using it to burn in my new amps and tube preamp. I really like it.
I know there is slight voltage dropped during the preamp power up. Is there a plan to offer a remedy? While others' rigs may be ok this, my amps seem to quite sensitivity to a so slight drop. Although I have been leaving mine on almost 24x7x365, it is just another very minor issue I would like to see resolved.
In term of volume pot and input selector, is there a plan to upgrde these as well?
As my system progresses through years, the Purist is the only long lived member that still exists in my rig. It is indeed one of the best audiophilic bargain available today. It still hold its own and plays along well with other gears costing much more. I truly look forward to the new updates.
Thanks, Howard
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Hello Curt,
It is nice to hear that everything is progressing well. When Purist 2.0 upgrade is available, please contact me. The recent upgrade of amps with high gain and sensitivity cause the audible hissing when putting the ear close to the speakers. I am glad to hear the new revision lower the noise level even further.
I hope the pink noise generator is staying. I have been using it to burn in my new amps and tube preamp. I really like it.
I know there is slight voltage dropped during the pre ...
Hello Howard,
It's nice to hear from you. Thanks for your kind words and for your input.
I too find the PN generator quite useful. I like using it to help setup the listening room and for finding the best loudspeaker positions. It is especially useful in bi/tri-amp systems for setting driver levels. It will remain in the Purist 2.0 design. Hopefully more people will learn what it can do for them.
That slight voltage shift (about 1/2V) happens when you turn the Purist off, not on. The DC offset servo cap is discharging. This is not a problem in most systems as most people turn off the amps first then the sources and then the preamp (IRDs recommended sequence). Adding circuitry to stop this would be adding circuitry in the signal path and could adversely effect the sound.
As for amplifier manufacturers that tell you to leave their amps on all the time (which IRD doesn't recommend) they should then offer a mute switch to protect the amplifier's input from natural input spikes such as power mains wiring induced spikes, lightning induced spikes, and yes, even other equipment's on-off transients.
It is IRDs position that an open amplifier input (on all the time) is an accident waiting to happen. That accident might not just be fried amplifiers it could also extend to include blown drivers in a very expensive loudspeaker system.
Caution and safety with a large investment such as in high-end audio is never a bad thing. IRD knows there are many schools of thought and respects most of them, please understand that this is just IRDs opinion on this issue. Food for thought.
The Purist doesn't have a volume level pot. It has a volume level “ladder step attenuator” which will remain in the Purist 2.0 revision. We believe the ladder step attenuator is far superior to a pot.
The input selector and gain selector switches will remain the same with a few added positions on the gain selector to select the new available lower gains.
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Hi Curt, I've got my finger on the button ready to order the new Purist 2.0 using your online Secure Order Form, however, I note that the order form still lists the old Purist LLC in Silver and not black. Will you have time to update your website for ordering the new Purist 2.0. Thanks.
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Hi Curt, I've got my finger on the button ready to order the new Purist 2.0 using your online Secure Order Form, however, I note that the order form still lists the old Purist LLC in Silver and not black. Will you have time to update your website for ordering the new Purist 2.0. Thanks.
Hi Dave,
We are talking about the on going Purist R&D. Revision 2.0 has not been released yet. It will be a while before this model becomes available. We have to tool up the new PCB, order some parts, build them, and then ship by sea to Charlotte.
We have one Purist rev 1.01 left in stock at Charlotte NC and if your system is not high-gain amps or high-efficency (>90dB @ 1W/1m) it might be just what you need.
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... It is especially useful in bi/tri-amp systems for setting driver levels. It will remain in the Purist 2.0 design. Hopefully more people will learn what it can do for them.
Indeed PN generator is very handy in system setup and burn-in process.
That slight voltage shift (about 1/2V) happens when you turn the Purist off, not on... As for amplifier manufacturers that tell you to leave their amps on all the time (which IRD doesn't recommend) they should then offer a mute switch to protect the amplifier's input from natural input spikes such as power mains wiring induced spikes, lightning induced spikes, and yes, even other equipment's on-off transients.
The amps I used have the standby switch. To turn it completely off, I need to flip the breaker switches in the back of the amps. It has current/voltage protective circuit on the input. Every time I turned on and off the preamp, I saw the amps required about 10-15 secs to stablize before they allowed themselves to be turned on. Let's why I ended up leaving Purist on all the time except when I take a long trip elsewhere.
Since all my amps I have now are arc welders, I am least worried about burned amps, though keeping the integrity of the speaker drivers are of major concern. That's why I brought up the topic in the first place. Thanks for the clarification.
The Purist doesn't have a volume level pot. It has a volume level “ladder step attenuator” which will remain in the Purist 2.0 revision. We believe the ladder step attenuator is far superior to a pot.
It is my bad to use pot as a general term for any volume controlling mechanism. I agree ladder step attenutors are one of the best mechanism available. However, from time to time, I will hear static when turning/clicking up and down the volume. The other preamp I have using DACT CT-2 (a ladder step attenuator as well) seems to be less susceptible to static noise while changing the volume. Is there any way to improve in the step attenuator design?
I believe this was discussed before, could a more steps/clicks be implemented in the attenutator? I know it will be more expensive to make them, but I for one would be interested in paying more to have more clicks, perhaps a 45 steps! :) It would be an optional upgrade worthy considering.
Thanks,
-Howard