[lazydays]

well I've had this new phono stage setting here for almost two weeks, and finally installed it in my system. This replaced a Wright WP 100 that was using nothing but ZU cables (Gede and Xaus). Everything is the same, and was somewhat stunned! This preamp is so quiet that it's just plain black between cuts on an LP! After playing it about two hours strait, the sound stage really is starting to open up. Cannot wait till it has about forty hours on it!
Thanks Frank!
gary

[CE2]

What happens after 40 hours?    AVA stuff is tested and used before it's shipped ain't it?  Yup.  I've used several different AVA things over teh years, nothing changed since day one.  It works out of the box, sounds great lasts forever.  Paint may dry and  changes after a few , not audio equipment.  If it did, that would imply the components used have a poor QC wouldn't it?  Modern capacitors, resistors, inductors,transformers tubes are pretty highly stable and  reliable to the extreme.

[Toka]

well I've had this new phono stage setting here for almost two weeks, and finally installed it in my system. This replaced a Wright WP 100 that was using nothing but ZU cables (Gede and Xaus). Everything is the same, and was somewhat stunned! This preamp is so quiet that it's just plain black between cuts on an LP! After playing it about two hours strait, the sound stage really is starting to open up. Cannot wait till it has about forty hours on it!
Thanks Frank!
gary

Did you get the Omegastar stage or the Ultra stage? In any event, glad you dig it!

[avahifi]

This is an Ultra phono preamp, specially wired at the client's request with two sets of phono inputs and a switch for them on the back panel. It uses the same chassis and faceplate as the Ultra DAC.  Just different back panel jack arrangement.

The Ultra phono preamp uses our normal Ultra mother board, the line section is not populated, and six high voltage regulated power supplies are dedicated for the phono section only, one for each plate resistor and one each for the power mos-fets.  This is one pure and stable power supply for a pair of 12AT7/ECC83s tubes!  The unit was supplied with JJ Electronic ECC83s tubes.

I doubt if one can conceive of how pure and dynamic and musical a phono preamp can be until you actually hear this.  It is of course the same phono section supplied in the complete Ultra SL or EC preamplifiers.

Glad you like it.

Frank Van Alstine

[Toka]

Frank,

Maybe I'm confused (wouldn't be the first time), but I thought the phono stage you build uses 12AX7 tubes?

[avahifi]

Whoops, you are correct, the phono stage uses 12AX7 tubes, AKA ECC83s.

My screwup.

Frank Van Alstine

[Toka]

Hey, it happens!  Thanks for the clarification.

On a general note, those looking to try something new in the 12AX7 realm should check out the Sovtek LPS variety...I had the chance to listen to them again at a friend's place recently, and I really do enjoy them. Not at all like the Sovtek's of old, these actually give the holy NOS types a run for their money (or, your money, I guess). 

[lazydays]

What happens after 40 hours?    AVA stuff is tested and used before it's shipped ain't it?  Yup.  I've used several different AVA things over teh years, nothing changed since day one.  It works out of the box, sounds great lasts forever.  Paint may dry and  changes after a few , not audio equipment.  If it did, that would imply the components used have a poor QC wouldn't it?  Modern capacitors, resistors, inductors,transformers tubes are pretty highly stable and  reliable to the extreme.

I noticed a difference in the sound stage after three hours. The unit is deseptively quiet.
Seems to like Zu cables (found that half meter Gedes were the ticket). Looks like it's a keeper.
gary

[lazydays]

This is an Ultra phono preamp, specially wired at the client's request with two sets of phono inputs and a switch for them on the back panel. It uses the same chassis and faceplate as the Ultra DAC.  Just different back panel jack arrangement.

The Ultra phono preamp uses our normal Ultra mother board, the line section is not populated, and six high voltage regulated power supplies are dedicated for the phono section only, one for each plate resistor and one each for the power mos-fets.  This is one pure and stable power supply for a pair of 12AT7/ECC83s tubes!  The unit was supplied with JJ Electronic ECC83s tubes.

I doubt if one can conceive of how pure and dynamic and musical a phono preamp can be until you actually hear this.  It is of course the same phono section supplied in the complete Ultra SL or EC preamplifiers.

Glad you like it.

Frank Van Alstine

I know we all have certain little things we listen for during a playback of a new piece of equipment. Lately I've come to discover the virtues of Collin Wallcott's sitar for it's openess, and the way the strings sorta have a metalic ring to them like Jimmy Cobbs brass does. It's a shimmering effect, and few units do it right. This one does. It actually sounds almost metalic (like it should of course). I've also noticed the channel seperation in better than my Wright WP 100, but maybe a touch brighter (seems to be getting smoother as I play it).
    The one thing about this phono stage that I caught onto in about half of the first side was that it didn't do anything wrong. Doesn't seem to add any color, and the upper mids are already something to die for. And as I said before; "it's like total darkness between cuts." You did a good job Frank.
gary

[lazydays]

I didn't say why I had Frank build me a phono stage with two inputs, but it's to complete a long overdue journey back in time. I will be setup in the near future to correctly play my vintage mono jazz LP's with a flip of the switch. This may not seem like much to some folks, but it's something I've been wanting todo for several years. I sent emails out to all kinds of people and one person responded! Then I put an ear to the ground and asked questions. The rest is now history.
gary

[Wayner]

I've been listening to LP's through either my OmegaStar or T8 that I forgot were LP's. The phono section is stunningly quite! With a clean record.................

[lazydays]

I've been listening to LP's through either my OmegaStar or T8 that I forgot were LP's. The phono section is stunningly quite! With a clean record.................

find a copy of Collin Wallcot with Dave Holland and DeJonette. The music is very different, but very well mastered. That sitar liked to drove me nuts listening to it.
I think that's when I new the phono stage was a winner. Going to give it some serious bass to play tomorrow afternoon while most of you are off to work<g>!
gary

[Wayner]

You Bastard!

I suppose you bought some beer to go with the day off?  aa

[lazydays]

You Bastard!

I suppose you bought some beer to go with the day off?  aa

a year ago almost to the day my boss made me go to this meeting about offering me a retirment package. I signed up before I left the room, and was gone on the 22nd day of December. So I guess I'm on a perminate day off<g>! I did pick up two six packs of Linenkugles Saturday to go with that porterhouse I grilled on the patio. Last count we have about four bottles left, along with a six pack of Stella Artois. Life is good you know!!
gary