AudioCircle
Audio/Video Gear and Systems => Owner's Circles => Channel Islands Audio Owners => Topic started by: avadoro on 21 Jan 2006, 03:20 pm
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Is Channel Islands likely to make an integrated amp?
That could be a very nice choice for many users!
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someday :wink:
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That day can't come too soon! :D
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I look forward to a Channel Island integrated (with a transformer volume control).....that would be a match made in heaven!
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someday :wink:
If you were going to build a hypothetical CI Audio Integrated amplifier, what technological direction would you be going towards? Digital with a passive / active preamp? High or lower powered?
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If you were going to build a hypothetical CI Audio Integrated amplifier, what technological direction would you be going towards? Digital with a passive / active preamp? High or lower powered?
Sorry but I can't even start thinking about this yet...we still have other products in the works. Some of the things we do never become an actual product, so I usually won't say/post anything until it's in a final prototype stage or starting production.
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Is there an inherent advantage in a pre/power amp design? I'm curious because you've designed 3 poweramps in the past 2 years.
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There can be advantages and disadvantages...I still think well matched seperate components will yield the best performance, but an integrated is sometimes more desirable due to cost, compact size, fewer cables, etc.
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There can be advantages and disadvantages...I still think well matched seperate components will yield the best performance...
Yeah, the ability to "tune" your system to suit your personal preference can definitely be a double-edged sword. It also multiplies the chances of getting it all wrong and never getting you off the upgrade merry-go-round.
My personal motivation for being interested in an integrated is to reducing the amount of hifi real-estate on my rack.
Is there an argument to say that audiophiles should really be content in getting the sound they want from playing around with an integrated amp, integrated CDP, speakers tweaks and cables...? :D
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Many trade-offs when putting everything in a single enclosure...
Due to size, power is limited, transformers and power supplies are shared, and audio circuits can pick up noise from each other and the supplies from being in close proximity of each other.
Separate components can have their own dedicated supplies, shielded enclosures, and room for more powerful circuitry and better layouts.
Both have their merits, it just depends on your needs and what you're trying to achieve.
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One of the things I LOVE about the CI Audio product is the size - one can put together a preamp and pair of mono blocks that take roughly the same amount of real estate as an integrated, and for the money, the performance is MUCH better, to my ears anyway. 8)
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If you do decide to make an integrated, please make it remote. There's just no way I'd (and I bet many others) would ever consider buying a $1000+ non-remote controlled integrated in the year 2006.
My 2c
Edited to reflect the correct year ;-)
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check your calendar...it's 2006 :lol:
Yes..IF and when we make an intergrated, it will have a remote.
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Dusty, I think a preamp with a remote would be better than and integrated. Mated with a set of VMB1's would be awesome.
Are the VMB1 still available?
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Dusty, I think a preamp with a remote would be better than and integrated.
You know, I'd agree with that. I would have gone with one of your passive pres a long time ago if it had a remote.
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The remote system we're working on will be incorporated in several upcoming products...preamp is first on the list.
VMB-1's have been discontinued. We feel the D series offer better sound and versatility. VMB's sound great, but have power and load impedance limitations.
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Dusty, I think a preamp with a remote would be better than and integrated. Mated with a set of VMB1's would be awesome.
Are the VMB1 still available?
Psst. I think I saw a pair of VMB1's on audiogon a few days ago...
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:D
Already looked. :wink:
Since we're a dealer, it would make more sense to have the D100/200 instead, but I wouldn't mind a set of VMB1 hooked up to the computer on my desk.
8)
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Audio listening is already a sedentary enough of a lifestyle without being exacebated by a remote control. Think about your circulation and spreading butt-cheeks lads... :D
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45 minute workout 3 times a week for me in the AM before I sit down at the desk. :D
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Audio listening is already a sedentary enough of a lifestyle without being exacebated by a remote control. Think about your circulation and spreading butt-cheeks lads... :D
I work hard and I exercise. Audio time is relaxation time for me. It is not relaxing to get up and turn a knob. I would never buy a system without a remote.
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So, it looks like it's just me who's fat and lazy then...? :roll:
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So, it looks like it's just me who's fat and lazy then...? :roll:
Did I say that? All I said was that ----- I ----- prefer a remote and to relax when listening to music.
:roll: :roll: :roll: :roll: :roll:
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I'm not the kinda guy who HAS to have a remote, but I agree that integrateds and preamps would sell much better with them :)
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Did I say that?
Noo - I'm just kidding around. :)
Yeah, a remote is sometimes pretty useful to adjust the volume from the listening position depending on recording levels.
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I'm doing just fine with my Squeeze Box (SB) and a pair of Channel Island monoblocks.
The SB offers internet audio streaming, high quality playback (after mods)of my CD collection via the computer, and a remote so I never have to get out of my chair.
So who needs a pre-amp or integrated?
Dusty -
I like the company name just fine, but with President Bush's secret spying could we come up with a better abbrevation, so these messges don't come up on the NSA's screen? :roll:
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What's the latest word on a CIAudio integrated amplifer?
Anything in the works that can be announced yet?
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What's the latest word on a CIAudio integrated amplifer?
Anything in the works that can be announced yet?
Not yet...still working on getting D-400 into production, but the integrated is still on the to-do list :)
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If you do decide to make an integrated, please make it remote. There's just no way I'd (and I bet many others) would ever consider buying a $1000+ non-remote controlled integrated in the year 2006.
I don't believe in remote controls. God forbid the day I become so lazy that I can't tell my wife and kids to change the channel for me! :lol:
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What's the latest word on a CIAudio integrated amplifer?
Anything in the works that can be announced yet?
Not yet...still working on getting D-400 into production, but the integrated is still on the to-do list :)
You need to clone yourself Dusty. :P :wink:
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Not yet...still working on getting D-400 into production, but the integrated is still on the to-do list :)
Thanks Dusty for your candor and for taking the time to answer all our inquiries here.
Business must really be hopping for you, that's terrific!!!
:thumb:
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Dusty how far away is the plan for an integrated?
The reason I ask is that I need to upgrade my current setup, if we are talking 1-2 years I'll wait to see what you come up with.
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A CI integrated is an awesome idea...
We see a lot of people asking for that kind of thing.
Integrateds are making a huge comeback!
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A CI integrated is an awesome idea...
We see a lot of people asking for that kind of thing.
Integrateds are making a huge comeback!
I agree, integrateds can offer excellent sound and tend to be more affordable than seperates.
A similar CIAudio product offering a combination of the D-100's and PLC-1 all in the same chassis would be terrific! (Especially if it can be offered for around $2000USD or less)
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But wouldn't that end up making the size/shape a CIA product that looks like everything else? (I like being unique.)
With Dusty's current path you must add a pair of interconnects and use two versus one AC receptacle, but you have full channel isolation in the power amps, can choose which pre-amp you want, keep the low voltage pre-amp circuits away from the power amp circuits, and have greater flexibility for locating smaller pieces.
Seems to me the real question aught to be how much could be saved by putting everything in one box versus three. Frankly I don't see much savings or much of a market for a $2000 integrated.
I do wish entry into CIA was less expensive, so my ideal integrated would be to put a VPC-3 plus two VMB-1 monoblocks (with perhaps a shared power supply) together for around $1000. This would also stretch the financial range of CIA pre/power offerings (currently in a rather narrow range of $1900 - 3200).
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Too bad the VMB1's are no longer available :cry:
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Oops, I'll have to amend the CIA pre/power price range with the release of the D-500 to between $1900 and $5400. A move in the wrong direction to me, but its not my company and I don't know if Dusty's quality could be maintained at the previously mentioned $1000 price point.
Yes, 40 wpc is plenty for many applications. The new D-500 monoblocks moves CIA even fartther upscale and up wattage. I wonder how much need there is for 500 watts? (I know that its better to have too many clean watts than to clip a smaller amp, but if you look into dB of gain, the watts race becomes pretty meaningless much above 100 watts.)
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Oops, I'll have to amend the CIA pre/power price range with the release of the D-500 to between $1900 and $5400. A move in the wrong direction to me, but its not my company and I don't know if Dusty's quality could be maintained at the previously mentioned $1000 price point.
Yes, 40 wpc is plenty for many applications. The new D-500 monoblocks moves CIA even fartther upscale and up wattage. I wonder how much need there is for 500 watts? (I know that its better to have too many clean watts than to clip a smaller amp, but if you look into dB of gain, the watts race becomes pretty meaningless much above 100 watts.)
D•500s were developed for systems that need a lot of power...generally large and inefficient speakers used in large rooms.
We are still undecided as to what the integrated will consist of, but most likely a PLC-1 based front end with around 150w per channel at around $2500.
Although we are known for making "high performance to cost ratio" products, a $1000 integrated is not really possible when hand-made in the USA.
Many companies sell Chinese made products in this price range, but ours will never be made there :D
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No knock on stuff from China or anywhere else, but that warms my heart Dusty. :thumb:
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...
Many companies sell Chinese made products in this price range, but ours will never be made there :D
:thumb: :thumb: :thumb:
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Agreed! Thats why CIA is on my short list!
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One nice feature of CIA pieces is that the sound/build quality really doesn't change across the product line. The only real "upgrade" is the VAC-1 power supply, which doesn't require modding, extra shipping, or down time.
I didn't think a $1000 CIA 40 wpc integrated was possible (and still maintain company standards/practices) but it doesn't hurt to dream.
Buying the VMB-1 monoblocks used and adding a VPC-3, I've managed to obtain the equivilant for under $1000.