AudioCircle
Industry Circles => Audio by Van Alstine => Topic started by: rahimlee54 on 17 Mar 2010, 12:28 am
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So on the sly I ordered bought the 550EX that was in the classifieds here, to go along with my HT2-TLs. I didn't really read to much about AVA stuff just heard it a few times and thought I'd give a try. I have poked around here a few times just wanted to get some impressions on what is coming my way on the upgrade over my pioneer AVR.
Thanks
Jared
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Pioneer soon to be up for sale followed by a search for a new preamp. :icon_surprised:
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So on the sly I ordered bought the 550EX that was in the classifieds here, to go along with my HT2-TLs. I didn't really read to much about AVA stuff just heard it a few times and thought I'd give a try. I have poked around here a few times just wanted to get some impressions on what is coming my way on the upgrade over my pioneer AVR.
Thanks
Jared
Jared, I've heard HT3s and HT2s (but not the TLs yet). The FetValve should be a very nice match for the TLs assuming they have the same Salk family sound. You should enjoy it very much.
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If I had more room I'd have a dedicated 2 channel and theater but right now the pioneer has to stay around to pull HT duty. I may go manually unhook cables at some point but for now it is here to stay. I can hear my wife on Friday "What did you order now!".
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If I had more room I'd have a dedicated 2 channel and theater but right now the pioneer has to stay around to pull HT duty. I may go manually unhook cables at some point but for now it is here to stay. I can hear my wife on Friday "What did you order now!".
Keep buying and wear her down and soon enough she won't even ask! How do I know this? You'll really like that amp.
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I have have the nonTL HT-2 and recently upgraded to an ultra 550 double from a 120 wpc Myryad unit. The 550 has really woken up the bass department in these, I am still impressed at the bass response I now have. Other than that the midrange seems smoother and more open, the Myryad seems somewhat closed or congested in comparison, and the treble on the 550 may be a tad rolled off(very slightly) but i think this may help on bright recordings.
I think you will be happy with the combination. Enjoy! :beer:
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So on the sly I ordered bought the 550EX that was in the classifieds here,
Congrats on your new amp, and the sweet deal you got, too! :beer:
Start lining up your favorite songs... :D
Have fun,
Jerry
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So on the sly I ordered bought the 550EX that was in the classifieds here, to go along with my HT2-TLs. I didn't really read to much about AVA stuff just heard it a few times and thought I'd give a try. I have poked around here a few times just wanted to get some impressions on what is coming my way on the upgrade over my pioneer AVR.
Thanks
Jared
:thumb: My brother has a 550 EXR6 (It's the reason I got the Ultra 550) and I've enjoyed it with my HT3's.
and the treble on the 550 may be a tad rolled off(very slightly) but i think this may help on bright recordings.
I don't think so. I have the Double also. The highs are very extended and I don't think one gets that way open and airy presentation with the AVA/HT3(I'm sure the HT2s too) with a rolled off(slightly) high end. I'd suspect there may have been a brightness in the gear you replaced. :D Welcome and happy listening. :eyebrows:
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I don't think so. I have the Double also. The highs are very extended and I don't think one gets that way open and airy presentation with the AVA/HT3(I'm sure the HT2s too) with a rolled off(slightly) high end. I'd suspect there may have been a brightness in the gear you replaced. :D Welcome and happy listening. :eyebrows:
I agree, I ment to say rolled off in comparison to the amp that I replaced :duh:
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Congrats.
The difference is mind blowing. Listening to your car radio and then your home system, that's how I felt. :o
I have the Ultra 550 double, consider at some point sending the amp to AVA for that upgrade, it is a surprising improvement in the sound quality especially at high volume.
Happy listening :thumb:
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Oh, I think you well like the 550EX. I have a 550EXR6 I think this is the last revision before the Ultra. It's still a really good amp!
Now let us know what you think. :thumb:
:smoke:
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Ok guys, got the amp in and took it apart to shoot a few pictures because it defiantly says 550E on the back of the amp as was suggested in the sales thread. Besides I wanted to get in there and give a good cleaning with air, Styrofoam and dust. Ideas on how to get paint off the power cord would be cool. I have a magic eraser and 90% IPA that worked pretty good on the chassis.
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(http://i304.photobucket.com/albums/nn182/rahimlee54/000_0026.jpg)
(http://i304.photobucket.com/albums/nn182/rahimlee54/000_0027.jpg)
(http://i304.photobucket.com/albums/nn182/rahimlee54/000_0028.jpg)
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Man adding pictures here is being a pain for me right now.
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Jared, I can't make out those tubes. What are they?
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Jared,
Look at the output devices. Do they say "Hitachi" or "Exicon"? If they are Exicon, then it is an EX model. TP, the tubes look like Electro-Harmonix 12AT7A.
Ron
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Which part is that exactly? I just want to make sure I look at the correct thing.
I'll have to check and see what model the tubes are, they say made in Russia if that is any help TP.
Didn't have a chance to hook it up yet wife wanted me to go out to dinner and movie and today it is my turn to work, gotta love that.
Thanks
Jared
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The output devices are the 12 silver devices (round w/ oval mounting flanges) in 4 vertical sets of 3 just inside the back panel.
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I have the Exicon's cool hooking it up now, I'll post the differences I am sure they are going to be large. At what point do I need to worry about replacing the tubes. Never had any amp at all.
Thanks
Jared
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The way Frank has designed the FetValve, a good set of AT7s should last many thousands of hours. Perhaps several thousand, but I'm not sure I'd wait that long before checking to see how much like a working pair has left.
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Pretty sweet sounding. More bass clearer mids and highs. Hearing bass I never heard before. Not much louder but that was expected. After a quick two hour listening session.
Will it get to hot in an open entertainment rack or would the floor on a maple slab be better ?
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You do want to give the heatsinks room to do their work but the HT2's should be an easy workload for the 550.
You've already described some improvements. Over time I think you'll notice the increased front to back, air and openess, dynamics and quickness in transients and those subtler things like tone and timbre, that really bring you into the music. :thumb:
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You've already described some improvements. Over time I think you'll notice the increased front to back, air and openess, dynamics and quickness in transients and those subtler things like tone and timbre, that really bring you into the music.
It's an EX, not an Ultra........
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It's an EX, not an Ultra........
Yep, it sure is. :o