[Ken Arrow]

Me again.... it is quiet around here, and I have a new playground!

Guys,

I have been reading all over the place about the 'giant killing' Panasonic digital amps for peanuts. In fact I believe there is a Teac and probably others...

What I have yet to ascertain is whether these extraordinary bargains are available to us here in Oz? I tried the Panasonic website but that was of little use.

Whilst at a point I would have turned my snobbish audiophool nose up at such concepts as 'cheap' and 'digital' I increasingly find the older I get the more open minded I have become... possibly the realisation of how little I know!

Any wise has anyone had a look at availability here?

Thanks,

Ken

[Rocket]

Hi,

JB Hifi have them for sale for $800au.  Not as cheap as what can be bought in the states.

regards

rod

[Ken Arrow]

Thanks Rod,

Sheesh, not such a budget 'toy' after all.


Kind Regards,

Ken

[Malcolm Fear]

Hi Ken
Do you know about AKSA amps? They are here on Audiocircle. The Australian made and extremely good.

[JohnR]

Hi Ken, guys -- well it's no secret I like my AKSAs very much . I was at a gathering a few months back, amongst other things there was a (stock) Panny, I'm afraid to say I was not keen on it at all. I have heard stories about loads of breakin and so on so I'll give it some leeway. Still, at Australian prices ($1100 retail!!!) I would say forget it. If I could pick a used one up for US$100 as I read elsewhere on the 'circle recently that would be a different story!

At that gathering, the general agreement was that the AKSA 55N was outdone by an OTL (valve, no output transformer) amp made by our host. But, the difference was not huge. Factor in cost etc. Maybe one day Hugh Dean will make his Glass Harmony or similar available. I have yet to try the latest upgrade package.

Ken, what are you using now? Who knows, maybe you and Rod (rocket) can meet up sometime. I think we've got a couple other westerners on here (PJ and werticus)

[Rocket]

Hi,

I popped into JB hifi today and checked out the panasonic xr45.  I'm sure i saw a demo one for $550au the previous week.  It looked pretty basic, was light and looked cheap.

If you have diy skills you should check out the aksa amps.  Mine is at my friends house who is re assembling it for me as i have bought the nirvana plus upgrade.

If you are after a good quality amplifier, there is an importer who has taken on the odyssey range of amplifiers.  Their khartago amplifier is selling for $1100au plus shipping, i don't think you could buy an amplifier in perth which sounds as good for the price.

best wishes

rocket

[Ken Arrow]

Thanks for the input guys...

I will bone up on the AKSA anps, they are obviously popular here... I am not really in a serious amp upgrade mode at the moment, I was really thinking of the panny as a cheap toy to play around with but at Aussie prices maybe not!

John R, to your question, I have tried to post my system I hope it is visible perhaps you could give me feedback if not?

For the record the short version is Main source: Michell Gyrodec, SME 3010R, Dynavector 10X4MkII. Second source: Teac T1 transport and Audionote DAC 1 Sig.

Amplification is Audionote SORO SE but split to two chassis with some upgrades.

Speakers are Oris 150 horns w. Lowther DX4M and 10" Vifa woofers in Onken cabinets w. plate amps (diy).

Currently playing around with Behringer DEQ2496 in digital domain only..

Thanks again for the input

Kind Regards,

Ken

[Spoonfed]

Newbie here weighing in on an old thread.

Havingy recently aquired an XR45 for $440 AUD (no remote.... but i "learnt" near all the commands of a different model instore)

I was looking for an upgrade from my Denon 1602 in pure sound quality (don't need video switching etc).

I home demoed a Arcam AVR300 and Denon 3805 and never really impressed me with improvment........ esp given the "street" price of $3000 and $2200 respectively.

Reading both audiocircle and various other forums i stumbled on the Panny.

I took the plunge and purchased one!   Best decision irrelivant of the 15% and 20% "relative" cost vs my first demoed options!!

Where i "worked" at picking up improvements on the Arcam and 3805 they have jumped out and smacked me in the face with the little panny.

If going from say the 1602 to 3805/Arcam is a "step" for man...... going to the panny is a giant leap for man kind hehe

Noise Floor, Resolution/Detail, Sound Stage, Dyanaimcs, Attack, Transients, Bass (impact/speed) make the Arcam AVR300 and my Denon+3805 sound just plan borring and lacking.

i have heard other higher end systems extensively..... mate has 2 configs...... 1 a Music Fidelity integrated 2ch pushing pair of Lehhans.... 2nd pair of Quad ESLs with naim CD,  conrad johnston pre and power valve setup...... both very nice.

My setup with the panny is:
XR45 (obviously)
Quad 12L's -  Nordost Solar Wind Bi-Wired
Quad Centre  
Wharfdale rears
HSU VTF2 - behringer FBD tuned
Source is HTPC using ASIO and Maudio Revolution 5.1 SPDIF coax

There is "truth" to the burn in theory on the pannys.

While i guess it depends at what "level" on currently is.... compared to any other reciever i have heard.... esp in 2ch the Panny cleans up.

Compared to reasonable 2ch gear it certainly holds its own........ i will no more when i take to mates to compare vs Music Fidelity gear and Conrad gear (obviously different "sounds" but will be interesting)

I am also considering some mods to the unit which apparnetly gives improvement.

At present im "trialing" a Eichmann Exprees 75ohm bullett Plug ended digital coax.   Being a bit "seceptical" on this  to my suprised there is difference.   My other cable is a home brew 75ohm Quad Sheilded RG6 coax with gold RCA's.....   not sure which i prefer yet.    ONes $120... the other $12 hehe

[Spoonfed]

Newbie here weighing in on an old thread.

Havingy recently aquired an XR45 for $440 AUD (no remote.... but i "learnt" near all the commands of a different model instore)

I was looking for an upgrade from my Denon 1602 in pure sound quality (don't need video switching etc).

I home demoed a Arcam AVR300 and Denon 3805 and never really impressed me with improvment........ esp given the "street" price of $3000 and $2200 respectively.

Reading both audiocircle and various other forums i stumbled on the Panny.

I took the plunge and purchased one!   Best decision irrelivant of the 15% and 20% "relative" cost vs my first demoed options!!

Where i "worked" at picking up improvements on the Arcam and 3805 they have jumped out and smacked me in the face with the little panny.

If going from say the 1602 to 3805/Arcam is a "step" for man...... going to the panny is a giant leap for man kind hehe

Noise Floor, Resolution/Detail, Sound Stage, Dyanaimcs, Attack, Transients, Bass (impact/speed) make the Arcam AVR300 and my Denon+3805 sound just plan borring and lacking.

i have heard other higher end systems extensively..... mate has 2 configs...... 1 a Music Fidelity integrated 2ch pushing pair of Lehhans.... 2nd pair of Quad ESLs with naim CD,  conrad johnston pre and power valve setup...... both very nice.

My setup with the panny is:
XR45 (obviously)
Quad 12L's -  Nordost Solar Wind Bi-Wired
Quad Centre  
Wharfdale rears
HSU VTF2 - behringer FBD tuned
Source is HTPC using ASIO and Maudio Revolution 5.1 SPDIF coax

There is "truth" to the burn in theory on the pannys.

While i guess it depends at what "level" on currently is.... compared to any other reciever i have heard.... esp in 2ch the Panny cleans up.

Compared to reasonable 2ch gear it certainly holds its own........ i will no more when i take to mates to compare vs Music Fidelity gear and Conrad gear (obviously different "sounds" but will be interesting)

I am also considering some mods to the unit which apparnetly gives improvement.

At present im "trialing" a Eichmann Exprees 75ohm bullett Plug ended digital coax.   Being a bit "seceptical" on this  to my suprised there is difference.   My other cable is a home brew 75ohm Quad Sheilded RG6 coax with gold RCA's.....   not sure which i prefer yet.    ONes $120... the other $12 hehe

[Jay S]

FYI, JB Hi Fi has the JVC RX-F10 for $499, which is not too bad compared to the U.S. mail order price.

[rha61]

Hi

I own a Panny45 for one year
It's not a perfect amp but it has some unique qualities
see :

http://www.stereotimes.com/amp040104.shtm

in the lab  :  http://www.soundandvisionmag.com/assets/download/1117200314244.pdf

my favorite amp is a new classD DIY amp , the UCD180 :
www.hypex.nl
the most natural amp i've ever connected on my speakers , and it's very cheap )

alain

[Spoonfed]

rha61,

Yes you are correct..... an awsome little unit esp for the dollars.... and for a receiver.

I have read that sterotimes article previously.... one of the reads that tempted me in...... on never see such comparos of "decent" 2ch gear vs "normal" receivers simply because they are on another level.....  the basement level hehe

The DIY option certainly looks interesting!

For myself... coming from a "conventional" receiver... be it bottom end..... be it even "mid/high" end reciever (ie Arcam) the Panny is a totally delight!.

Would have been interesting to see the same little stereotimes article BUT with a fully modded panny instead?

[rha61]

rha61,

Yes you are correct..... an awsome little unit esp for the dollars.... and for a receiver.

I have read that sterotimes article previously.... one of the reads that tempted me in...... on never see such comparos of "decent" 2ch gear vs "normal" receivers simply because they are on another level.....  the basement level hehe

The DIY option certainly looks interesting!

Would have been interesting to see the same little stereotimes article BUT with a fully modded panny instead?

yes , the mods are easy to do :
you have just to try different power cords and replace the internal speakers cables with better gauge ones

alain

[Spoonfed]

Any idea where to source a "figure 8" (is that what it is called?) as in the pannys to the IEC type adaptor?

Does one think http://www.stereotimes.com/cables080803.shtm
would work well once one has an adaptor with the XR45?

I can probably "borrow" one of these for a week to try