[Vinnie R.]

All,

I just want to thank everyone who participated in the Signature 70 pre-ordering. 

Stay tuned for a review of the new Signature 70 Monoblocks by Paul Candy of 6moons.com.  He will have a pair by the end of next month.  Hopefully the review will be out before the end of the year.

Thanks again,

Vinnie

[sabes]

To all those that have pre-ordered the sig 70's --- I HAVE BEEN TO THE MOUNTAIN!!

Vinnie was kind enough to arrange for a demonstration of the new monoblocks (prototype only at this point) at my house (I live within a half hour of Vinnie), where my dyed-in-the-wool tube/vinyl buddy Don Popillo and I ran the amps through their paces. Vinnie also brought along a sig 30 for comparison.

First, all that I've been reading about the sig 30's is true!

Second, the sig 70's were/are, for my system/setup, a solid step up from the sig 30's.

(My current system: squeezebox2 with full bolder analog mods (incl. silver bybees and ultimate power supply) and thorens td125 mkII/sme 3009 (improved)/shure v15 IV mr as sources, using an audio refinement complete (alpha) integrated, aes/cary ph-1 phono stage, all playing through tyler acoustics linbrook signature monitors and working through a bpt cpc power unit, a mixture of audience, cardas golden reference and ps audio pc's, and ic's from reality cables and grover huffman)

(The room is small: 9.5'w x 15' l x 8.5' h, with windows on one long side and one short side, and french doors  on the other long side)

I've always liked my Audio Refinement Complete integrated with my Linbrooks, ever since I heard the two together at Ty Lashbrook's in Owensboro, Kentucky, and it has received lots of excellent reviews. (http://www.soundstage.com/revequip/srajan01.htm)
(http://www.audioplusservices.com/pdf/ar-sf.pdf)

As suggested by Vinnie, we ran the sb2 and vinyl directly into the amps - no preamp. Simply put, the sig 70's blow it away. Piano and female vocals are especially well-rendered, much in the style of good tube amplification, but with every bit of detail i'm accustomed to with my solid state gear, and plenty of bass slam (i actually have a tbi magellan sub hooked up in the room - we disconnected it, as we did not feel it was really warranted given what we were hearing - anyone looking for one?). Smooth, so smooth, with plenty of body/presence and just enough warmth.  Jubilant Sykes vocals on "City Called Heaven" ("Jubilant") gave me the all-over chill I experienced when I first saw him in a small tent (introduced by Terence Blanchard) at the New Orleans Jazz Fest several years ago.  The cello tone of both Jacqueline du Pre's (vinyl) and Yo Yo Ma's (cd) renderings of Elgar's Concerto for Cello and Orchestra were handled delicately, while the soaring entrance of the orchestra (a place where many valiant amps have been left gasping for air) was as full and bracing as when played through my ATC SIA2-150 solid state with 150 watts of class a power. Textures were faithfully, viscerally rendered with effortless clarity on Brian Bromberg's "The Saga of Harrison Crabfeathers" ("Wood"). Other special moments from our extended (thank you, Vinnie!) listening session included the "Pie Jesu" from Philip Herreweghe's Requiem by Faure, Jacqui Naylor's cover of "Money", Pat Metheny/Charlie Haden's "The Moon is a Harsh Mistress" ("Under a Missouri Sky"), both through the sb2,  and Julie London's "Cry Me A River" on the original "Julie is Her Name" cheesecake LP.

I was really blown away by the deeply musical quality of these amps. Through them, I rediscovered my speakers, and my vague dissatisfactions with my system disappeared. My friend, Don, Mr. "if it ain't tubes and vinyl, it ain't music", was equally impressed, and has finally stopped exhorting me to jump on the tube train - - he has become an unabashed fan of Vinnie and his art.

Needless to say, I've ordered my Sig 70's and can hardly bear to listen to my system as I await delivery!

[sabes]

while not in my system (other than my trusty vintage scott 222B and my singlepower mpx3 headamp!), i have heard the linbrooks with jolida gear. the other tube gear i've heard has been mainly in showrooms, but also in private homes: BAT amps, conrad-johnson, mcintosh, audio research, cary. probably some others i can't remember.

[Vinnie R.]

Hi Sabes,

Welcome to the RWA forum and thanks for posting!

It was my pleasure to let you (and Don) demo the Signature 30 and 70s in your home, powering the Tyler Linbrooks.  I am still amazed by how well everything worked together in such a small room.  I wasn't expecting to hear so much depth when I first had a glance at your room and speaker positioning, but it pulled it off!     That subwoofer was definitely not needed, IMO!

It has been a pleasure meeting you and Don and I'm looking forward to getting together again soon.  Also, nice music collection!   

Thanks again,

Vinnie

[jrebman]

To all those that have pre-ordered the sig 70's --- I HAVE BEEN TO THE MOUNTAIN!!

Vinnie was kind enough to arrange for a demonstration of the new monoblocks (prototype only at this point) at my house (I live within a half hour of Vinnie), where my dyed-in-the-wool tube/vinyl buddy Don Popillo and I ran the amps through their paces. Vinnie also brought along a sig 30 for comparison.

First, all that I've been reading about the sig 30's is true!

Second, the sig 70's were/are, for my system/setup, a solid step up from the sig 30's.

Needless to say, I've ordered my Sig 70's and can hardly bear to listen to my system as I await delivery!

Thanks Sabes for posting all this, now I'm even more eager to get mine in here and listen for myself.  And, hey, didn't I just sell you that Magellan sub?

-- Jim


BTW, some nice selections of tunes there.

[sabes]

you did! it was a wonderful help with my audio refinement amp, but thinking (much like you!) that it's not necessary with the sig 70's. i'll probably just move it to another room, rather than sell it, as i do like it. and thanks for the tunes kudos!

[Plink]

I'm not going to pretend in anyway that I might not suffer from paranoias or delusions but I know what I like...

I still read this thread all the time.  Good to finally see someone who uses tubes or vinyl listen to these monoblocks.

I'm a complete and total subjective vinyl snob so any comments about their sound with vinyl or even how they compare to tubes (not SET), is welcome and Sabes, I certainly appreciate your recent comments.  Many vinyl lovers like me are simply skeptical when reviews and comments are based from a primarily digital perspective.  I think we have good reason to be...so let's not go there.  Those are tired discussions and we all like what we like.

Vinnie, I have some questions:

Any luck in securing a review from a publication that will put this product on test against tubes (not SET) and within a vinyl based system?  I have my own opinions about audio publications and don't blame you if I never see this product reviewed (aside from Six Moons).

Any other options regarding a vinyl user opening their home for test listen?  Is sabes the only vinyl user to have bought or tried the product?

You mentioned a show in Montreal?  Has that passed or is this still in the works?  How about setting up a Rega P3 or something like that with it?  I'll travel.

You run a legitimate, successful business that pleases many customers.  Why no VISA/Mastercard?

I simply never have had the money or guts to have something delivered to my home to try out (after having a horrible experience previously).  I certainly don't have the ability to do so without a VISA/Mastercard option.  I'd have to sell my amp before I bought these monoblocks.  This entails somehow becoming comfortable with the product given my subjective outlook.

[Plink]

Also, VISA via Paypal can work but I still don't understand the extra middleman, Paypal.  No need to answer this - it's your business, not mine.

Another probably dumb question, are the specs for each monoblock or for the pair?  Sum total for the pair is 60 watts or 30 watts, 8 ohm?

It would be nice to someday get rid of all the power cords and isolation transformers...

[nicksgem10s]

I contacted Srajen @ 6moons and he confirmed that someone else on the staff was going to be reviewing the Signature 70s in the near future.   

It sure doesn't seem like we see too many newer or non-mainstream in TAS or Stereophile so it wouldn't shock me to not see any Red Wine products right away. 

Plus if word gets out about the Signature 70s (assuming they are as good as I am expecting) aa
it might make the ultra expensive SET & other tube designs seem greatly overpriced.

[Vinnie R.]

I'm not going to pretend in anyway that I might not suffer from paranoias or delusions but I know what I like...

I still read this thread all the time.  Good to finally see someone who uses tubes or vinyl listen to these monoblocks.

I'm a complete and total subjective vinyl snob so any comments about their sound with vinyl or even how they compare to tubes (not SET), is welcome and Sabes, I certainly appreciate your recent comments.  Many vinyl lovers like me are simply skeptical when reviews and comments are based from a primarily digital perspective.  I think we have good reason to be...so let's not go there.  Those are tired discussions and we all like what we like.

Vinnie, I have some questions:

Any luck in securing a review from a publication that will put this product on test against tubes (not SET) and within a vinyl based system?  I have my own opinions about audio publications and don't blame you if I never see this product reviewed (aside from Six Moons).

Any other options regarding a vinyl user opening their home for test listen?  Is sabes the only vinyl user to have bought or tried the product?

You mentioned a show in Montreal?  Has that passed or is this still in the works?  How about setting up a Rega P3 or something like that with it?  I'll travel.

You run a legitimate, successful business that pleases many customers.  Why no VISA/Mastercard?

I simply never have had the money or guts to have something delivered to my home to try out (after having a horrible experience previously).  I certainly don't have the ability to do so without a VISA/Mastercard option.  I'd have to sell my amp before I bought these monoblocks.  This entails somehow becoming comfortable with the product given my subjective outlook.

Hi Plink,

Welcome to Audiocircle and the RWA forum!

6moon's Paul Candy will be reviewing the Signature 70s.  I plan to have a pair to ship to him by the end of this month.  As for printed mags like TAS and stereophile, nothing has been confirmed at this time. 

SonicFlare will be doing a full system review consisting of a Signature 30, battery modded Olive music server, and Omega Speakers.  The new 8" Hemp drivers are being made, so in the meantime a pair of Audio Notes are being used.  A small teaser can be found here:
http://www.sonicflare.com/archives/headphone-clarity-with-the-headroom-desktop-and-beyer-dt880.php   

I was able to visit Sabes because he lives close by.  I have other Vinyl lovers who have purchased the Signature 30... one of them is a 6moons reviewer 

The best way to know if the Signature 30 or 70s are right for you is to try them in your own system.  This is why I offer a 30-day trial period.  They DO need burn-in time to sound their best and within the first 100 hours (this is an approximate), they change the most.  If 30-days isn't long enough (if you couldn't put enough play time on these amps), I can extend the return period for you. 

I am planning on demonstrating at the Montreal show in April, 2007!  I hope to meet you and many others there.  Like the last two Montreal shows, there WAS a nice vinyl rig in the room from Hudson Audio Imports.  This includes a Eurolabs (Scheu) turntable with motor powered on battery, Morch arm, Allerts cartridge, Lehmann phono stage (modded on battery power).  I'm sure we'll have a similar system in place for the April 2007 show.

Regarding Visa/Mastercard, there is no particular reason for me not accepting this form of payment.  I'd say 85% of my customers all around the world use paypal, and the others send bank or postal money order.  In the case where one wants to send personal check, this needs to clear before an order is sent out.  Yes, you can charge up a Paypal account using Visa/Mastercard.  For now, I am not looking to set up a credit card machine here.  I hope this isn't too inconvenient.


Regarding the power specs posted for the Signature 70s, this is per monoblock:

30 Watts RMS into 8-ohms at 0.04% THD+N
70 Watts RMS into 4-ohms at 0.04% THD+N

It would be nice to someday get rid of all the power cords and isolation transformers...

You are in for a real treat! 


Hi nicksgem10s,

Yes, 6moons is next for a Signature 70 review. 

So maybe I should contact Art Dudley of Stereophile next?   

I'm not sure how a small, factory-direct company will fit in there...

Best regards,

Vinnie

[studley]

"So maybe I should contact Art Dudley of Stereophile next?   

I'm not sure how a small, factory-direct company will fit in there..."

Vinnie
I may have suggested this to you before but you should approach TNT for a review. As far as I and many others are concerned those guys are in a league of their own when it comes to credibility; they do it for love and no advertising means no vested interests.  Us Brits are pretty cynical but when it comes to mainstream Hi Fi mags i think there is good cause.

regards

Ian

[Plink]

Great!   Look forward to the next review.  I really wouldn't expect reviews in mags like Stereophile, etc...I suspect one has to buy lots of ad space for that or be a product for dealers who buy lots of ad space. 

[Vinnie R.]

Great!   Look forward to the next review.  I really wouldn't expect reviews in mags like Stereophile, etc...I suspect one has to buy lots of ad space for that or be a product for dealers who buy lots of ad space. 

hi plink,

you might be right about that...

hi ian,

i'll look into TNT... thanks.

best regards,

vinnie

[miklorsmith]

Are the first units shipping yet?  I'm really excited to get mine started on their burn-in journey.

[Vinnie R.]

Are the first units shipping yet?  I'm really excited to get mine started on their burn-in journey.

I hope to have the first few Signature 70s ship out by the end of this week...

I'll post when they do.

Best regards,

Vinnie