[Bullandvodka]

Hello all -

I joined AudioCircle this morning after spending the weekend researching GR-Research.  I'd stumbled on the New Record Day YouTube channel that has been featuring quite a bit of GR-Research's offerings and I checked out their website several times looking for information.  Turns out all the information is here!

I'm in the market for some new speakers for the home office.  Its not a large room so while the larger OB offerings look impressive, I think for practical reasons the Studio Monitor design is best suited to my needs.  20 years ago in school I built up a Dynaudio tower kit from Madisound, so I'm familiar with quite a bit of the speaker building and crossover basics.  I've also built a Bottlehead 2a3 tube amp.  But I don't have access to a proper wood shop so I'll likely farm that out or look for a flatpack.

My chain is simple ... Mac streaming various services to an RME ADI-2 DAC connected to a stereo VTV amp with the Hypex power supply and Purifi 1ET400A modules.

Looking forward to learning more!

[Hobbsmeerkat]

Welcome to AC! Im currently In the process of slowly building a pair of the NX Studios as well! 
Definitely looking forward to your journey!

[Digi-G]

There is a flatpack available for the NX-Studio monitor.  In fact I've put my name on the list to get a pair from the next batch.  It sounds like they may be available in November or December.  There's a thread somewhere around here telling you who to send a message to and the exact price.  Sorry, I don't recall the specifics.

[Hobbsmeerkat]

Here's the link to Jay's NX-Studio flatpack thread:
https://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=171567.0

[Bullandvodka]

Thanks guys!

Wow.  That is a stunning flatpack ... way nicer than I expected with all the cut outs for a solid fit.  I'm encouraged I could press up something I'd be proud of.

Did most people settle on the standard kit from GR-Research or is there a specific upgrade people people recommend?  I'd rather buy once than buy twice and make changes.

[Hobbsmeerkat]

The Flat packs are fantastic! Peter also has an amazing video linked in the thread about his assembly process, building mine was a great learning experience.

Originally, the only upgrade was going with a Copper Bypass cap instead of a Sonicap, but that has since been made the standard option.
Beyond that, the only other upgrades I've seen people mention are Foil Inductors, Path resistors and the most expensive/physically large upgrade, being going with Danny's all-Copper caps, including one that looks about as big as a can of soda.. 

I plan to go the foil inductor/Path resistor route, but I personally can't really justify the cost of the all Copper caps route, beyond that, i haven't seen too many other options that people are going with, but even the stock config is sure to beat just about any studio monitors well beyond their price range.

[mikeeastman]

I went with the full up grade, I did the same thing with my Super7s but in steps and each one made a nice improvement.

Here one cross-overs completed and obviously it's external.

[Stig1978]

Nice amp - how does it sound to your ears?

[mikeeastman]

It's the cross-over for my studio monitors not an amp.

[david45]

It's the cross-over for my studio monitors not an amp.

 

[Stig1978]

Nice amp - how does it sound to your ears?

was askin Bullandvodka about the VTV purifi amp 

[Bullandvodka]

Happy to share my thoughts on the VTV.

My VTV is the stereo model with the Hypex SMPS1200A400 and the Purifi 1ET400A modules.  I had originally planned on building the same amp myself but was caught in analysis paralysis on what buffer modules to use to tie the 2 together.  VTV's default option is to use the Hypex buffer and not being an OEM I couldn't source that part new.  I figured I'd start there and roll a new buffer if that didn't work out.  Honestly, I'd seen some issues with a VTV build on another forum - some incorrect wiring and some cosmetic issues.  So I called them and figured I'd ask them about it.  I heard it was an early build as they were getting started and they learned those lessons.  I ended up purchasing because VTV sold me the amp config I wanted about 20% cheaper than I could source the bits myself, shipped.  I figured I'd fix anything wrong.  The amp I got is fantastic, wired correctly, and my own nit pick is 1 of the Philips head screw heads isn't perfect on the underside. 

The sound seems perfect - neutral, detailed, uncolored.  Perfectly black background.  It doesn't add or exaggerate anything and I think that contributes to a massive soundstage and imaging.  I'm not a audio writer so the clique's about "veil lifting" and other nonsense I won't get into.  Its just music, louder than I'll ever need even with my Maggie LRS.  I'm sold on Digital and I don't see the need to overpay for an inferior space heating class A or A/B.  I might play with some tube circuits in a preamp to introduce a vintage tone in the future but only for the novelty.

I'll see if I can scrape the funds for these Studio Monitors and compare with it in the future.

[JonathanWalton7]

Happy to share my thoughts on the VTV.

My VTV is the stereo model with the Hypex SMPS1200A400 and the Purifi 1ET400A modules.

....

The sound seems perfect - neutral, detailed, uncolored.  Perfectly black background.  It doesn't add or exaggerate anything and I think that contributes to a massive soundstage and imaging.

   Thanks for sharing your experience with vtv.  I have the same interest in the NX Studios, but I'm a musician/aspiring composer who needs them for mixing and monitoring purposes.  And I was just on the phone with Warren from VTV about this situation.  He suggested the same stereo purifi amp as yours but without any op amps.  Glad to hear you feel that it performs THAT transparently!  That's exactly what I'd hoped to hear. 

   But I'm still in the process of choosing my amp.  I'm on the fence with a handful of purifi products out there.  March Audio has purifi amps, VTV has a lot of Configurations and options (and has a great price as you mentioned)...but two others out there have really intrigued me.  Orchard Audio has monoblock amps that work with GaN technology, which apparently helps with instrument separation.  Purifi Eigentakt sounds promising but isn't in my budget.  All of these sound very adequate.  As long as they can extract the full range of an orchestra I'd be happy. My budget is a max of 1500$...but VTV is only $1000.  Not sure how to choose.

   Lastly, does anyone know the efficiency rating for the NX studios?  I did several searches on the forum for info on the drivers and woofers performance but couldn't find it.  I think that info might help me pair an amp a little easier.

[david45]

VTV with custom buffer and Weiss opamps? + or - 1500$

[Bullandvodka]

I don't want to make this thread all about VTV, but I wouldn't hesitate to recommend their Purifi offering.

I'd wanted to stay out of the whole boutique Op Amp thing unless I wasn't happy with the Hypex default implementation.  There is likely some measurable improvement with a fully discrete match grade Op Amp over the default Hypex IC Op Amp.  That said, the dedicated board and Op Amps add anywhere from 30% to 50% to the price and I can always add them later if I am wowed by another Purifi build that has them.

I'd rather spend the savings on something that actually makes the music, like speakers.