Empirical Audio modded P-3A DAC -- Perpetual Technologies

blizzard · « **on:** 10 Jun 2003, 11:19 pm »

Hi guys,
I don’t often post or give reviews. But, I felt I had to here.
I had sent my Perpetual P-3A Level II to Steve Nugent at Empirical Audio for his modifications and I just received it back. All I can say is that across the board I am very impressed.
I cannot emphasize enough how good his rework skills are. All of his solder joints are works of art. And some were pretty complicated. Good joints like these are very reliable. They will not fail any time soon. Plus the board comes back to you clean as new. He did not just do a high quality parts substitution either. He totally reengineered the analog output stage – really quite remarkable work.
It is obvious to me that he is technically very skilled. And, although this is very important to me, it is the sound that is the determining factor as to weather I am pleased or not. My opinion is that an Empirical Audio modded P-3A sounds amazing. The P-3A Lev II is much better than stock. But, some recordings sounded poor (harsh/grainy at times). Steve Nugent’s unit has been consistently good on everything I have listened to so far. The most noticeable improvement is that everything sounds real. Before, cymbals had a tendency to not ring true -- almost truncated. Now, they are perfect. This I find to be very important. It’s a gauge I use. Because when cymbals do not sound right, it kills that spatial 3-D feeling that you get when they come through perfect. Sibilance has always been the bane of my existence. I had recently gotten rid of most of it. But, some recordings still had some remnants. This mod has taken it to the best level yet. Sibilance is all but gone. Trumpets sound perfect. Saxes are amazing .……. I could go on and on. I mostly listen to female vocals. But, just for the hell of it I tried some old AC/DC and Queen CD’s which sounded horrible before. Wouldn’t you know it. They sound great now.
I’ve only been listening to this unit for a few days and obviously I am totally sold. I am officially a Steve Nugent fan. To all those Perpetual owners out there who like the sound of their equipment now, you would be amazed at how much more potential is still left in this unit.
Steve thanks a mil for bringing my P-3A up to this level. I could not have been more pleased.

Steve

jcoat007 · « **Reply #1 on:** 10 Jun 2003, 11:29 pm »

I have been considering this and I knew he had sent out the first unit. I am glad you were able to post a response so quickly?

What are you using as a transport?

blizzard · « **Reply #2 on:** 10 Jun 2003, 11:34 pm »

Hi jcoat,
Currently I am using a Pioneer PD-65 as a transprt, and a Jenna Labs Trio DigiLink cable.

Steve

jcoat007 · « **Reply #3 on:** 10 Jun 2003, 11:58 pm »

Are you also using the P1A and the P3 power supply?

blizzard · « **Reply #4 on:** 11 Jun 2003, 12:08 am »

Hi jcoat,
I have both the Monolithic P-3 power supply and the P-1A. I use the P-3 power supply. But, I find that at this time, the sound is not as open when I ust the P-1A as compared to using the P-3A by itself. As I said in my review, the P-3A by itself is incredible.

Thanks,
Steve

blizzard · « **Reply #5 on:** 11 Jun 2003, 12:08 am »

Hi jcoat,
I have both the Monolithic P-3 power supply and the P-1A. I use the P-3 power supply. But, I find that at this time, the sound is not as open when I ust the P-1A as compared to using the P-3A by itself. As I said in my review, the P-3A by itself is incredible.

Thanks,
Steve

jcoat007 · « **Reply #6 on:** 11 Jun 2003, 11:30 am »

Quote from: blizzard

As I said in my review, the P-3A by itself is incredible.

Sorry, I must have missed where you said that.

blizzard · « **Reply #7 on:** 11 Jun 2003, 12:03 pm »

Hi jcoat,
I didn't use those words in my post. I didn't talk about the P-1A at all. My point is that I love the P-3A with the Empirical mods. In my response to you I should not have used the words "by itself". My mistake.
I use the P-3A with the Monolithic P-3 power supply. It sounds amazing.
Sorry for the misunderstanding,
Steve

jcoat007 · « **Reply #8 on:** 11 Jun 2003, 05:17 pm »

Quote from: blizzard

I didn't talk about the P-1A at all.

Exactly. The reason that I was trying to clarify is that I have the P1A/P3A (w/ Level II Modwright mods) and the P3 PS. According to Steve at Empirical, with his mods the P1A becomes unnecessary. Since you are the first to try one of these modded units, I was just trying to see if you thought the P1A is in fact unnecessary. I am contemplating his P3A mods, and since you didn’t mention the P1A, I was inquiring.

That’s all.

Thanks again for the clarification. I really appreciate it.

Sa-dono · « **Reply #9 on:** 11 Jun 2003, 05:59 pm »

Quote from: jcoat007

The reason that I was trying to clarify is that I have the P1A/P3A (w/ Level II Modwright mods) and the P3 PS. According to Steve at Empirical, with his mods the P1A becomes unnecessary. Since you are the first to try one of these modded units, I was just trying to see if you thought the P1A is in fact unnecessary. I am contemplating his P3A mods, and since you didn’t mention the P1A, I was inquiring.

That’s all.

Get a new (used) P-3A with the Empirical mod..so you can A/B the two (P-1A & Level II Modwright P-3A vs. Empirical P-3a)..and be the guineau pig for us