[ctviggen]

George,

Would you mind another person listening to this comparison?  Perhaps I can bring my Jeff Rowland #10 so that we can compare a very well designed analog amp with two digital amps.

[zybar]

George,

Would you mind another person listening to this comparison?  Perhaps I can bring my Jeff Rowland #10 so that we can compare a very well designed analog amp with two digital amps.

Bob,

Sure you can bring another person.

As for the amp...I can't use a stereo amp in my configuration (short runs for my speaker cables).

George

[ctviggen]

Ah, I see -- the monoblocks allow you to put the amps closer to the speakers.  I could bring speaker cable, but then that would introduce one more variable.   Darn!  I wanted to compare my JR versus some digital amps.  The other thing we could do is I could bring the cable and then we could just use the digital amps with longer cable.  So, it'd be a digital amp v. digital amp comparison, but then a digital v. analog with different speaker cable.  If the DIY amp comes even close to the JR, I'd be impressed.  JR's gear is way up there in terms of sound.  

By "another person," I meant just me.

[zybar]

Bob,

I can always bring the amps up to your place (if you have the new speakers).

Don't worry, we will figure something out.

George

[ctviggen]

George,

How often are you in CT?  I'm often in NY, as there are some companies who have plants there.

Bob

[zybar]

Kevin,

Any updates on when you will be shipping me the pair of Exodus amps?

Thanks,

George

[Kevin P]

Responded to  your email.  Your amps ship either 6-4-2004 or 6-7-2004 depending on how things shake out.

[zybar]

Thank you Kevin.

I look forward to their arrival.

George

[TheChairGuy]

Darn George, you beat me again to the punch.

Mine shipping June 13 or thereabouts...first time delving into the digital world of amplification. Pretty pumped...I'm just getting a single unit.

Kevin's so slick and smarmy, he sweet-talked me into it  

[ROB968323]

Kevin,

Can you tell me when the integrated will be released and what will be the cost?  What type and how many digital inputs will it have?  It is remote...correct?

I was going to wait for the Panasonic XR70 but it seems like this should put the Panny to shame


Thanks,

Rob

[ROB968323]

Kevin,

Can you tell me when the integrated will be released and what will be the cost?  What type and how many digital inputs will it have?  It is remote...correct?

I was going to wait for the Panasonic XR70 but it seems like this should put the Panny to shame


Thanks,

Rob

[J North]

Rob,

The LCAudio digital switching amplifier module in the Exodus amp does not directly accept digital inputs. It amplifies an analog symbol only by converting it to PWM. Therefore, the Exodus will not have digital inputs (unless DIYCable installs an internal DAC)

On the other hand the Equibit amplifier in the Panny accepts only a digital (PCM) input and converts it to PWM. The Panny can also accept analog inputs because it has a built in analog to digital converter (albeit not best solution).


hope that helps.

[Kevin P]

ROB968323:

J North is correct.... the LC Audio amplifiers don't have any form of D/A conversion.   The only thing digital about digital amplifiers is the fact that they use a high clock frequency to sample the analog input and match it to the power supply rails.   This happens at 480,000- 1,000,000 times per second (in the ZP2.2 units) and the output devices are either on or off (hence the digital aspect).  

I think the Equibit is aimed at the HT market where their integrated DSP for DTS, DD & other processing is integrated into the reciever and their marketing department has cleverly exploited the "all digital" aspect of their design.  Music is analog.... period.   We don't hear digital so the ultimate goal is to convert the digital software to an anlalog signal at some point.  Where and how you do it is continually being developed and improved.

http://focus.ti.com/docs/apps/catalog/overview/overview.jhtml?templateId=932&path=templatedata/cm/level1/data/audio_speak_ovw

I can hardly believe the marketing guys.... digital speakers are next!  

[ROB968323]

Kevin,

Thanks for the info.  When do you anticipate the release of the integrated model and what will the price be?  

Another question...what would be a relatively inexpensive remote pre to use with the amp that you have already released?  I would imagine a tube pre would sound great with this amp...any suggestions?  



Thanks,

Rob

[ROB968323]

Sorry...I forgot.

A pre between $500 and $1,000.



Thanks,

Rob

[Kevin P]

The integrated will use the DACT volume control & selector switch.   The extra parts cost is about another $350 and the labor another $150 so your looking at $1700 for the basic integrated.    The Bent Audio remote control will be available installed but I don't have a final price yet.  The parts cost for the remote is just over $200 so with labor it will probably be around $250-$300.   Integrated version should be available by the end of summer.  

I don't have any specific recommendations on a preamp.   Dan Wright has been working on a new one that looks very nice for the money.   I know Dan has a remote planned.   The Basie is also very good for the money and you can get one loaded and assembled for well under your $1000 mark.   They don't currently have an option for a remote but I have plans to change that.

The Django would be another option..... if you want to add some tube warmth though I'd look for a tube line stage to add that taste of second harmonic distortion.

[StevenACNJ]

Kevin,

Post a picture of the inside of the digital amp when you get the new clock installed.

Thanks

[Kevin P]

Steve,

Will do.... it will be another week or so.