[Doug_B]

So as not to hijack my own Fet Valve thread, I'll ask my preamp questions here.

- I don't think I'm getting the differences between the T7 EC vs the T7 SL. Please explain.

- Is the feature set of the T7 the same as the T6, and it's just the sound quality that is better, or are there capabilities, bells and whistles, etc, that are provided only with the T7?

- Do any of these units support remote volume control?

- It appears that only the T7 EC supports the External Processor Loop, correct? Is this what is often referred to as a HT bypass, or is this something else? If not, can I simply use one of the inputs for HT bypass, basically figuring out where the volume needs to be set for unity gain, or is it more complicated?

- Do all of the units have the same number of inputs (at least in default mode), and are all of the inputs the same so I can connect any digital source player to any input (not including phono, for which I have no use)?

- Guess I have to ask about the perceived sonic differences between each unit, but even if I didn't, I figure AVA or someone else would volunteer his opinion anyway.  

Thanks.

Doug

[avahifi_lj]

Hi Doug:

Good questions...

The underlying audio circuits are the same in the EC and SL.  There is, however, changes in the EC to support tone controls.  The tone controls can be taken out of circuit so that you get a straight through signal path.  Both of the EC and SL share the same power supply, phono section (if equipped) and dedicated headphone amp.

The EC chassis is physically bigger than the SL -- it's the same width as our amplifier chassis.  We don't, however, recommend that you stack the T7EC on a power amp because of the heat generated by the power amps.  The increased size of the chassis is needed to support the additional functions/features outlined below:

The EC has 8 inputs verses 6 in the SL.  If you have the phono option installed one of the inputs, labeled "Special" is converted to a RIAA phono input.  All of the other inputs are line level suitable for CDs, Tuners, etc.  If you don't need/want the phono section that input is converted to a line level.

The EC three has switched AC outlets on the back of the unit.  Note that the outlets are designed for low power devices such as our Transcendence DAC, a turntable, CD player, etc.  The outlets are NOT for high power devices such as power amps.  The AC jacks on the SL are not switched.

The EC has left/mono and right/mono switches that allows you to select which channel to present in both speakers.

The EC has switchable high and low filters to help tame harsh sounds.

The EC has a gain switch (labeled mute) to reduce the volume levels in case you have an extremely efficient speaker system.  Note that both preamps have a time delay mute circuit that delays turning on the output until the preamp is warmed up and immediately turns off the output when the power is turned off.  Some people confuse the gain switch labeled "mute" with the time delay mute.

The EC also has an EPL loop to allow you to insert external processors or HT equipment.

Neither of the units have remote volume control.

The decision on which model is simply one of features and cost.  If you have more than six sources, like tone controls, or if you like any of the other features on the EC than that's the one to select.  If you don't have a lot of sources, or need tone controls the SL is a great solution.  I personally selected the SL because I only have four input sources and it saved me some money.  I do like the SL a lot.  

Hope the information helps.

Thanks for your interest in AVA products!

Larry Jenkins
Audio by Van Alstine

[randog]

Larry, to resurrect this thread, can you explain the differences between the T6 and T7 sonically and feature set?

Thanks,
Randog

[avahifi_lj]

Hi:

The T6 is only available in the SL (non-tone control) chassis.  Because all of our preamps share the same chassis the actual feature set of a T6r SL and T7r SL are exactly the same.  Note that we don't offer the T6r in the EC chassis as there is no option in the T6r design to drive the tone controls.

As for the electronics, the T6r and T7r are totally different systems in the base audio circuit design.  While both use the 12AT7/12AX7 tubes that is pretty much the only common thing between them.  The T6r uses a solid state buffer in the line circuit to enhance the performance of the tubes.  The result is that the circuit has more definition than is possible with just a tube.

For example, our T5r (which is going back into production because of customer requests) has an all tube line section with no solid state buffers or augmentation.  The result is that the T5 has the "tube" sound that many people like.  The T6r, on the other hand, takes the very nice sounds of the T5r and brings them closer to transparency.  The lows and highs are more defined and mids are more accurate.

In the T7r we use a tube and Fet combination that we have developed after years of research on and working with our FetValve series of products.  The T7r, however, is a pretty significant change to the original FetValve design in that it's much more efficient thus allowing us to produce the most transparent preamp we have ever offered.  The T7r, as others have stated, does not have the "tube" sound that most other tube or hybrid preamps have; rather, the sound is very accurate and very revealing.  The T7r offers a level of transparency that is pretty amazing.

While this may not be a big issue for some, the T7r also has a very nice dedicated headphone amplifier that also offers some very dynamic and transparent sounds.

Hope the information helps and thanks for your interest in AVA products!

Larry

[guest1632]

Hi Doug:

Good questions...

The underlying audio circuits are the same in the EC and SL.  There is, however, changes in the EC to support tone controls.  The tone controls can be taken out of circuit so that you get a straight through signal path.  Both of the EC and SL share the same power supply, phono section (if equipped) and dedicated headphone amp.

The EC chassis is physically bigger than the SL -- it's the same width as our amplifier chassis.  We don't, however, recommend that you stack the T ...

[avahifi_lj]

Hi:

There is no ESL version of the Transcendence 7 preamp.  The following are the prices for the EC-R and SL-R versions.  The EC chassis has the tone controls and several other features.  The SL is the basic "straight" model without the tone controls and the extra features found in the EC chassis.

Transcendence 7 prices:
SL chassis:  $1199
EC chassis:  $1499
Phono option:  $299 (either chassis)
Tape buffers:  $129 (either chassis)

Please note that for a very limited time we are selling the upgraded "R" versions for the same price as the older models.  

Thanks for your interest in AVA products!

Larry

[OBF]

Hello.  Is the output impedance of the AVA preamps listed anywhere?  I couldn't find it on the website.

I have an amp with a very low input impedance of under 9k, and basically I'm wondering how the AVA 5, 6, or 7 would interact with it.  Specifically, the all tube 5 compared to the hybrid 7.

Thanks.

[guest1632]

Hi:

There is no ESL version of the Transcendence 7 preamp.  The following are the prices for the EC-R and SL-R versions.  The EC chassis has the tone controls and several other features.  The SL is the basic "straight" model without the tone controls and the extra features found in the EC chassis.

Transcendence 7 prices:
SL chassis:  $1199
EC chassis:  $1499
Phono option:  $299 (either chassis)
Tape buffers:  $129 (either chassis)

Can the phono section be added later?

[avahifi_lj]

OBF:

The output impedance of the preamps is 560 Ohm.  The Transcendence 7R series and the Transcendence 6 SLR (the 6 is not available in the EC chassis) should work fine with the low impedance amplifier.  The Transcendence 5 SLR is a bit more picky because of the all tube line stage and probably would not be a good choice for such a low input impedance.

The Transcendence 7R series will outperform the Transcendence 5 SLR is virtually every aspect providing you want the most accurate and revealing in sound reproduction.  The Transcendence 5 SLR is VERY nice if you are looking for a preamp that has the characteristic sounds of an all tube preamp, for example sounds that are warmer, softer and music easy to listen.  Even with the all tube design the Transcendence 5 SLR is very revealing.  I have compared the 5 with the FetValve preamp that used to be the "top dog" in preamps before the Transcendence 7 series.  The Transcendence 5SL beat the FetValve hands down and at a cost that was much lower than the FetValve preamp.  

We discontinued the Transcendence 5 last year but had so much call for an all tube preamp that we decided to bring it back into the product mix.  There are a lot of people (myself included) who sometimes like the softer sound of an all tube preamp.  If you want to hear a very nice tube system match the Transcendence 5 SLR and the Super 70i all tube power amplifier!

Thanks for your interest in AVA products!

Larry Jenkins

[avahifi_lj]

Hi Ray:

Yes you can add the phono section to the preamp at a later time if you wish providing that the series is still in production.

If the series is no longer available (for example the Omega III or FetValve preamps) there would not be an add-on option available.  You could, however, upgrade to the latest series of product and add the option at that time.

Note that we also offer the phono section in a stand-alone chassis.  With the separate chassis you have a lot more flexibility in that you can mix or match a phono section from any of the series with any preamp.  For example, you could have a Transcendence 5 SLR preamp and a Transcendence 7R phono section -- something we can't offer in a single chassis.

Thanks

Larry

[Brad]

Larry,

Is there any pricing info on the stand-alone phono stages?

[Brad]

Larry,

Is there any pricing info on the stand-alone phono stages?

[avahifi_lj]

Hi:

The prices are shown below.  Note that for a very short time we still offering the new T5R, T6R and T7R products at the same price as the older non-R series.


OmegaStar RIAA Phono Preamp
 $499.00 factory wired
 $399.00 kit
 
Transcendence Five RIAA Phono Preamp
 $549.00 factory wired
 $449.00 kit
 
Transcendence Six RIAA Phono Preamp
 $699.00 factory wired
   
Transcendence Seven RIAA Phono Preamp
 $849.00 factory wired


Thanks

Larry Jenkins

[guest1632]

Hi Ray:

Yes you can add the phono section to the preamp at a later time if you wish providing that the series is still in production.

If the series is no longer available (for example the Omega III or FetValve preamps) there would not be an add-on option available.  You could, however, upgrade to the latest series of product and add the option at that time.

Note that we also offer the phono section in a stand-alone chassis.  With the separate chassis you have a lot more flexibility in that you can  ...

Ok, dumb question, why is adding a tape loop $129? How much is the 5sr all tube pre?

[avahifi_lj]

Hi Ray:

All of the preamps have a tape loop in them.  The standard tape loop is essentially a direct path from the source to the tape out jack.  The $129 option is for a buffer circuit that isolates the input from the tape output.  The most common problem associated with tape loops is having a tape deck connected to the tape jacks with the tape deck turned off (and even sometimes turned on).  What happens is that you end up with an extra load on the input (because without the buffer circuit the tape out is directly tied into the input selected) which can cause problems.  The buffer totally isolates the input from the tape output jacks to prevent a lower quality tape deck or CD recorder from negatively impacting the source.  If you have a tape deck (or CD recorder) it's a good idea to have the buffer -- if you don't have or plan on using a tape desk then save the money and go with the stock system.

We do have people who use the system just fine without the buffers.  The decision really depends on the characteristics of the tape deck and how much you plan on using it.  Unfortunately it's often simply trial and error to see if the tape deck is causing problems.  For $129 there is no guessing as the tape is isolated and can't cause problems.  Some people ask why we don't simply put tape buffers in all of the preamps.  The simple answer is that why spend the money if you don't need to?  Just like the other options we offer (phono, EC system, etc.), you have a lot more input into the system that is "right for you" and not one that is designed for the masses.

The price of the line only version of the T5 SLR is shown on the Web site at $749, but when the new pricing comes out it will be $699 assembled -- the same as the closeout prices we offered them for last year.  If you like to tinker we also offer the T5 as a kit for $599.  The kit is fairly easy to build and fun for those who like to melt solder.  If you have assembled electronic kits in the past but are "kit shy" the T6 is a bit easier to build because of the board layout, but the T6 takes longer as it's a more involved design.

Thanks

Larry

[Montobo]

1.  What is the line only T6 SLR kit price?

2.  The T6 phono RIAA option kit price?

3.  The T6 tape buffer option kit price?

4.  Are there any time specifics when you say that the T5, 6 & 7 prices will hold "for a very short time"?  Maybe a date or "we know at least through January" or ... ?

Thanks.

[avahifi_lj]

Hi:

The T6 kit prices are:

T6 SLR: $699
RIAA Phono option:  $150
OmegaStar Tape buffer: $129

Note that the tape buffer is a solid state design based on the OmegaStar series of products.

As for the date of any price changes, I'm afraid I don't have a firm answer on that.  I do, however, expect the prices will change in the next 30-45 days.  When we introduced the "R" series of products in late October (or possibly early November) Frank said that prices would stay as is for 90 days.  Frank generally gives people a 30 day notice of a pending price change, and I believe he is planning on doing so this time also.  So the short answer is you have at least until mid-February before there are any price changes.

Note:  The T6 kit is shown in the downloadable PDF of the price list and order form (under the Resources/Print Catalog area).  For some reason it disappeared from the on-line (HTML) price list.  The following is the link to the downloadable PDF file of the 2003 price list:

http://www.avahifi.com/root/catalog/2003_Prices_Order_Form.pdf

Thanks for your interest in AVA products!

Larry Jenkins