Van Alstine Room Comforter

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SJ David

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Van Alstine Room Comforter
« on: 11 Dec 2015, 02:07 am »
A short while ago Mary announced a new lower price for the AVA Ultravalve due to savings the company arranged with a supplier. I thought to myself on how often we hear such things as a firm willing to pass along savings to its customers... to this extent anyway.

http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=136910.0

I wasn't thinking of buying the amp since I have shied away from tube amps for decades. I fondly recall times that my Dad hauled me with him to the corner drug store that had a tube tester and supply of new tubes. In the 60's (I was barely 10 in '65) we had a tube TV, tube kitchen radio, a Knight tube integrated amp and a VM tape deck. My Dad worked for VM for a short while so there was a need to frequent the corner drug store with a box of suspect tubes to find that weak-link valve. Later in life I really didn't miss the high maintenance aspect of the tube equipment nor did it seem so fun when it became my money that was involved.

Anyway, a thought simmered for a while that the lower price was essentially an invitation to revisit an earlier audio experience. Especially after my great experience with the T8 preamp I bought new a few years ago. I thought that the two amps could match up quite well.

The new Ultravalve arrived today a little earlier than estimated. Cool! There is a cold front and stormy weather moving through over the next few days. Good weather to enjoy some toasty audio equipment over a weekend. Another invitation I couldn't resist. Cozy up in the arm chair and reminisce of days gone by.

Bottom line- dealing with Frank and company is sure enjoyable.



 




dB Cooper

Re: Van Alstine Room Comforter
« Reply #1 on: 11 Dec 2015, 02:21 am »
You raise a good point that sheds light on how AVA conducts its business: Most companies would have pocketed the savings and kept their traps shut. After all, people are already paying $X,XXX, so what the hey. And not just in audio. Congrats on the new amp. Curious about what they will  be driving.

Oh, and... who was VM? Don't remember them...

JerryM

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Re: Van Alstine Room Comforter
« Reply #2 on: 11 Dec 2015, 02:51 am »
Very cool, SJ David. Congrats!! :thumb:

And you're right; dealing with AVA is quite awesome.  :D

Have fun,

Jerry

SJ David

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Re: Van Alstine Room Comforter
« Reply #3 on: 11 Dec 2015, 02:53 am »
You raise a good point that sheds light on how AVA conducts its business: Most companies would have pocketed the savings and kept their traps shut. After all, people are already paying $X,XXX, so what the hey. And not just in audio. Congrats on the new amp. Curious about what they will  be driving.

Oh, and... who was VM? Don't remember them...

Ah yes. VM= Voice of Music. I have some home brew JBL 1440 Arrays. Not especially sensitive (89dB) but a relatively flat impedance curve. The little Ultravalve seems to drive the big woofer quite nicely.

I agree, most companies might just hold the price flat or perhaps offer their dealers special pricing but since we get to deal with Frank direct, we win!

mresseguie

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Re: Van Alstine Room Comforter
« Reply #4 on: 5 Jan 2016, 02:17 pm »
Hi, SJ David.

I happened by, saw your posts, and wondered to myself how your T8 and Ultravalve were meshing and whether they're keeping your room a little cozier now that old man winter is waking up.

Thoughts, impressions??

My own T8 and 400R are boxed up awaiting my return. I kind of miss their sound.

Regards,

Michael

SJ David

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Re: Van Alstine Room Comforter
« Reply #5 on: 6 Jan 2016, 05:04 am »
All is good with the combination, Michael.

As I kind of touched on above, I was not necessarily seeking to buy a replacement amp at this time. I have used JBL drivers in several mock-up systems. All of these JBL woofers have a common characteristic in the ability to gel well with high-current amps. Therefore, I had a prejudice in thinking that a tube amp would always be lacking in a big way compared to a solid state amp. Not so much in delivering a good sound but rather by being limited in the extremes (bass, high end and dynamics). So, with this prejudice in play combined with the thought of tube maintenance, it really was a lark for me to put in an order for the Ultravalve. What I have heard since receiving it makes the purchase seem like a good decision rather than just a flirt with old technology. 

I can’t effectively rate the T8 pre amp because I don’t have a deep and broad experience with all that many pre amps. I am convinced that the T8 is all it is promised to be by AVA and all that reviews have said about it in the press or in forums. What I especially like is the easy drive and the sense of liveliness that helps good source material pop out into the room. No distinct coloration or unusual sound artifacts (e.g., tube sound). It is a good match for a solid state amp that has a power supply able to deliver higher current levels with a good amount of head room.

As with the T8, I can’t really compare the Ultravalve to other tube designs. Compared with my solid state Belles and Odyssey amps, the low end is not as firm or rock solid. Not a critical deficiency by any means, just noticeable. Also, there is not quite the same amount of pressure in the room (the snap of a snare drum does not have the same bite on the air).  On the other hand, the transients are not at all blurred or glaring, and the sound image is full and extends well out from center. Nothing missing in terms of musical tone and presence. A really fine attribute is where the harmonics linger in the air with a very nice and a very natural decay.

The amps work very nicely together. Some may claim a lack of overall warmth or liquidity (if that is even an appropriate word choice) but given the right source the sound is very pleasing, both lively and musical. Frank is quite right about the amp "sounding" more powerful than the rated wattage suggests. 

One final note, I will not be able to use the Ultravalve year round (booo!) as the heat output is not a good fit for this home in the high of summer.

-David
« Last Edit: 6 Jan 2016, 08:55 pm by SJ David »