Custom Dual Mono Clari-T

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ndpjr

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Custom Dual Mono Clari-T
« on: 13 May 2005, 12:32 am »
I received my "custom dual mono" from Vinnie Monday 05-9-05 and I think it's absolutely wonderful! It's the one pictured on the Red Wine "Products" page above the "Customization" title and the third amp down on the "Customization" page. I bought a stock Clari-T originally and as soon as I received the stock Clari-T it replaced the 45SE tube amp I was using. The Clari-T has been the amp I've been listening to ever since.
   When I received the dual mono Clari-T I noticed some more detail in
recordings, less forward sound in the highs that really sparkle, a great
midrange purity and a very deep and tight bass. If I only had the stock Clari-T I would still be very happy as I think it is a great sounding amp but when you read all the posts from people on the Red Wine forum it just inspires you to try something new with the Clari-T. Posts such as Paul Bui commenting on his upgraded mono blocks, or Dmason and the Reali-T, Gary and the S/N DacKit to people that upgraded wiring or Black Gate caps makes you want to try a similar path.
   The upgrades Vinnie did on mine are: Black Gate caps, silver wiring for the signal and power paths, WBT Nextgen Platinum plated rca's, Eichmann CablePod binding posts, standard charging jack and two 3-pin charging jacks for a larger battery box and a DACT attentuator and selector switch. Vinnie did a great job laying it out and putting it all together.
   The DACT attenuator is very smooth and very quiet. Once you get to about 2:00 the dual mono really gets loud without any harshness or distortion. The amp exhibits all the characteristics that makes the stock Clari-T such a great amp except the upgrades seem to take it up another level. Mine already had about 30-40 hrs of playing time on it as I asked Vinnie to give it a really good evaluation and suggest anything else that he thought could be improved. Vinnie has more listening time on this amp than I do right now. If it had room and if I had not already had the "Custom S/N DacKit" it would been nice to do as Dmason did on the Reali-T and have the DAC in the same unit.
   I am using a Jolida JD100A Level-1 mod from Underwood HiFi as my source and driving a pair of Bob Brines FT1600 MKII speakers.
   I look forward to hearing the dual mono break-in and read more posts of how people are configuring their Clari-T's. Vinnie is great to work with and his suggestions are really valued as are the many posts in this forum. The next step is the battery powered CD transport.

The Dude Abides

  • Jr. Member
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Custom Dual Mono Clari-T
« Reply #1 on: 13 May 2005, 01:52 am »
I have one coming just like Dmason's but with different binding posts and RCAs and I also have BB Ft-1600 MkIIs!  I can't wait for my amp to come  8)  

Are you finding you need a sub with you set up now?  

Chris

Dmason

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Custom Dual Mono Clari-T
« Reply #2 on: 13 May 2005, 02:23 am »
If you like your upgrade now, wait awhile. Mine is just starting to really come together in a monstrous way. The BG caps take Forever...The FR extension in both directions is increasing noticeably, and this makes for a "whole picture" sonic signature. The highs are pristine, absolutely WORLD CLASS, and the Monica DAC has this ease, and warmth, and a musicality that is in some way unique, in that often, with synth pads and massed cellos, it is like the music "breathes." Like actual aspiration. I cannot describe it, perhaps other owners have heard this living, organic sounding phenomenon as well. Lately I have added a pair of extreme audio Strontium Ferrite short-throw conical horn supertweeters to the DarkStar mix, and this only served to magnify EVERYTHING.

Recently, the RealiT outclassed a pair of $$,$$$ 300B monoblocks IMHO, hooked up to one of the finest, most highly sensitive speakers, using some of the very finest drivers in the world, the Edgar Titans. And amps like those monos sound damn fine, no doubt.

 Anyone sitting on the fence about amps, who likes music, should belly up to the bar. It dont get any better.

ndpjr

  • Jr. Member
  • Posts: 39
Custom Dual Mono Clari-T
« Reply #3 on: 13 May 2005, 02:58 am »
Chris,
   I don't need a sub with the FT1600 MkII's. They go deep enough for me for the style of music I listen to. I listen to jazz mainly from the 50's on up (Miles, Coltrane, Dolphy, Mobley etc.) and just recently have been listening to more vocals as they sound so wonderful on the Clari-T and the FT1600's. The FT1600's surprised me with the bass they have, more than what I expected and the Clari-T has more bass than some would expect it to have. I got the FT1600's on March 16 and I think you got yours about the same time. They are a great match with the Clari-T.

Dmason,
   Yes, I'm looking forward to the break-in period to see how things improve. It's always great reading some of your posts as I do not have the experience of hearing the varied setups you have. It's always a valuable contribution especially if you feel it's from a person's point of view who's ears you feel you can trust. Please keep the comparisons posted as they are a reference point for some of us.

Vinnie R.

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Custom Dual Mono Clari-T
« Reply #4 on: 13 May 2005, 11:25 am »
Quote from: The Dude Abides
I have one coming just like Dmason's but with different binding posts and RCAs and I also have BB Ft-1600 MkIIs!  I can't wait for my amp to come  8)  


Chris


Hi Chris,

Your Reali-T will ship out this afternoon!  Let me just take a few pics this morning...  :)

Vinnie R.

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Re: Custom Dual Mono Clari-T
« Reply #5 on: 13 May 2005, 11:53 am »
Quote from: ndpjr
I received my "custom dual mono" from Vinnie Monday 05-9-05 and I think it's absolutely wonderful!


Hi ndpjr,

Thanks for posting your initial impressions of your custom dual-mono Clari-T Integrated amp!  Dmason is right on the money...if you like it now, it gets better once you put on +100 hours.  

I know you already have the Red Wine SN DacKit installation, so that combo must be sounding very sweet!  

...and you are a Puri-T and stock Clari-T owner to boot!   :wink:   8)
Please keep us posted on how your wine tastes with a little more aging...


Hi Dmason,

As always, thanks for keeping us all in the loop with your Reali-T as it opens up and does its thing!

My Monica 2 is just getting better and better by the day.  I usually let it play while I'm working, and last night I gave it a good listen to and didn't want to go to bed...I was glued to the couch with this dopy grin on my face  :D .  It is unbelieveable how GOOD Redbook CD can sound when the "less = more" approach is applied.  With well-recorded CDs, you'd swear it isn't digital at all!   :P

Thanks again guys!

miklorsmith

heeheehee
« Reply #6 on: 13 May 2005, 02:12 pm »
My dual mono gets delivered today.  heeheehee.

The Dude Abides

  • Jr. Member
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Custom Dual Mono Clari-T
« Reply #7 on: 13 May 2005, 02:33 pm »
Quote
Your Reali-T will ship out this afternoon! Let me just take a few pics this morning...
 


Sweet!!!! 8)