[billmcc]

I am looking at the 240/3 to power my SongTowers and Song Center. I do not see any rear panel pictures of the 240/3 on the AVA site. Does anyone know where there would be any pictures of the rear panel? I am assuming that there is not a 12v trigger so could I use one of the triggered outlets of my Panamax 5100EX? Also does the 240/3 have a fan?

I see quite a bit of positive talk of the Ultravalve amp which would not work for me as I have a HT and 2 CH audio system combined. How would the 240/3 compare SQ wise with the Ultra Valve amp? I know it is an apples to oranges comparison but I thought I would ask . I currently have a Boston Acoustics A7200 amp (Sherwood A-965 clone) which I am very happy with. For 2 CH I am using a Parasound 2100 preamp (w/ HT Bypass) and for HT an Onkyo 886. With so much positive talk of AVA amps I thought I would look into them. Any thoughts on the 240/3 would be appreciated .

Bill

[ArthurDent]

Bill -  No the 240/3 does not have a 12v trigger. Yes, it does do well in a combo 2 ch/HT system. I drive my 2 ch/HT front L/R with a FetValve Ultra, and use the 240/3 for center/RR/LR on the surround. Speakers are dome Song Towers & SS Is.

You might do some checking, but I'm sure some others are running similar setups now with an UltraValve running the front end (there's a post on it not long ago, just can't remember who). I expect someone will chime in. You could still use the Parasound (I use an AVA Ultra Pre) for the 2 ch, and control the HT with the Onkyo 886.

Hope this helps some. 

JD

[billmcc]

Bill -  No the 240/3 does not have a 12v trigger. Yes, it does do well in a combo 2 ch/HT system. I drive my 2 ch/HT front L/R with a FetValve Ultra, and use the 240/3 for center/RR/LR on the surround. Speakers are dome Song Towers & SS Is.

You might do some checking, but I'm sure some others are running similar setups now with an UltraValve running the front end (there's a post on it not long ago, just can't remember who). I expect someone will chime in. You could still use the Parasound (I use an AVA Ultra Pre) for the 2 ch, and control the HT with the Onkyo 886.

Hope this helps some. 

JD

JD,

Thanks . And yes your thoughts were very helpful. It looks like you have a very nice system there . What are you using for a HT processor? Also how do you switch between your prepro and the Ultra Pre?

Bill

[floresjc]

Bill -

I have a 5.1 SongTower home theater (2 pairs ST and one SongCenter)powered by an AVA 240/3 and AVA 440 (both Double). If you absolutely need it, I can provide a picture of the back of the 240/3 later this evening if you like. Quite simply, it looks like the back of the 440 with one exception, another set of binding posts on the rear right side, adjacent to the heat sink. So you have two on the bottom, and one on the side to drive your 3 channels.

I also use the 2100. The way I have it set up, I use the 240/3 to run the Center and the two rears, and the 440 for the front channels. The reason is, if I'm just running 2 channel music, I don't have an extra channel of power going if I had put the entire front + center on the 240/3. This works quite well, in fact, you could get an Ultravalve and use it for the fronts, and the 240/3 for the center/rears on your setup. The only downside is I'm not sure how often you'd have to buy tubes running so many hours in that type of setup, but tubes can be cheap.

For no muss, no fuss, all solid state is the way to go. I have no complaints about the sound quality of the 240 and 440 on my SongTowers. Also note that there is no 12v trigger, just the rocker switch. I'm using an Outlaw 990 as my processor if thats of any use to you. If you have any further questions, let me know.

[floresjc]

I don't think there is a fan on the Insight series. Mine are essentially silent, I have one that emits just the slightest of buzzing, but that will vary with the transformer. I own 4 AVA amps and none of them make what I would consider any relevant level of sound, even in a quiet room.

[billmcc]

Bill -

I have a 5.1 SongTower home theater (2 pairs ST and one SongCenter)powered by an AVA 240/3 and AVA 440 (both Double). If you absolutely need it, I can provide a picture of the back of the 240/3 later this evening if you like. Quite simply, it looks like the back of the 440 with one exception, another set of binding posts on the rear right side, adjacent to the heat sink. So you have two on the bottom, and one on the side to drive your 3 channels.

I also use the 2100. The way I have it set up, I use the 240/3 to run the Center and the two rears, and the 440 for the front channels. The reason is, if I'm just running 2 channel music, I don't have an extra channel of power going if I had put the entire front + center on the 240/3. This works quite well, in fact, you could get an Ultravalve and use it for the fronts, and the 240/3 for the center/rears on your setup. The only downside is I'm not sure how often you'd have to buy tubes running so many hours in that type of setup, but tubes can be cheap.

For no muss, no fuss, all solid state is the way to go. I have no complaints about the sound quality of the 240 and 440 on my SongTowers. Also note that there is no 12v trigger, just the rocker switch. I'm using an Outlaw 990 as my processor if thats of any use to you. If you have any further questions, let me know.

floresjc,

Thanks, I appreciate your help! No need to take pictures as I can take a look at the 440. What did you have for amps before the AVA amps? I'm just trying to figure out if the SQ difference between my A7200 and the 240/3 would be noticable. I can only imagine how nice your system sounds with STs all around with the Song Center . I really do not have the room for anything like the STs for surrounds. I'm just very happy to have them as my front speakers. To think I was concerned that the STs would be too big for my room. But that is not a problem in the least as the STs look just fine in my small room. They even sound better than they look if thats possible .

Bill

[floresjc]

I guess to be more accurate, the back of the 240/3 looks like the back of any other SS or hybrid amp that I have seen pics posted of for AVA (binding posts below the rear heat sink), with the exception that the third channel posts are on the right side of the rear panel. So it should be pretty easy to find an Audiogon snap or something on Frank's site perhaps.

I had an Outlaw 1070 receiver with 65wpc. Don't get me wrong, the outlaw is a great receiver, but I love the extra oomph that having separates gives you. Until I acquired my Ultra 550, I used a Double 240 to run my front mains, which is plenty for a speaker like the SongTower. So I wouldn't shy away from anything in Frank's line for the upfront duty.

[ArthurDent]

JD,

Thanks . And yes your thoughts were very helpful. It looks like you have a very nice system there . What are you using for a HT processor? Also how do you switch between your prepro and the Ultra Pre?

Bill
********************
Something funky going on, can't preview or post here again at the moment ? -JD  Will try to reply later.

[ArthurDent]

Bill -
Am using an Outlaw 990 same as floresjc. Switching is all manual. The pre/pro isn't in play for 2 ch, and for HT it controls the whole shootin' match. I just turn on the Ultra, hit the EPL button, and let the 990 do it's thing. There's an earlier thread in Frank's circle on incorporating a DAC, shows the configuration of connections, it's back about 3/4 down the page, 3rd page down. If I try to copy the link in this whole post disappears, but you'll see it. If you poke back a little further there are a couple of other threads on the topic, not that much older. It can be little funky getting all the connections set up, but just takes time. The results are worth it imo, and I think others have stated the same. I'll try a separate post with just the link.

As to fans, nope, got 7 pcs AVA gear & no fans.  Keep the questions coming, someone will have thoughts, info, and/or direction on where to find the answers. You'll have a hard time finding nicer more knowledgeable/helpful folks than here at A/C. I know I've learned a lot from them over the last 3+ years.

[ArthurDent]

http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=79988.0

[floresjc]

With the Parasound 2100 all you need to turn on is the 2100, the DAC (if you have one) and the amp for 2-channel listening. The 990 and other surround amps need not apply.

When you are doing HT with the 2100 you would turn on the 990, your source, and all amps. The 2100 can just be off, and I would assume the P7 is the same, and it automatically does passthrough. If you have the 2100 on though, you would just hit Bypass on the remote and it does the same thing, so 2 options really.

[avahifi]

I will have some new photos of the Insight+ 240/3 amplifier, insides and outsides, front and rear, posted on our web site, avahifi.com, later this week.

Regards,

Frank Van Alstine