[maxwalrath]

I don't use one now, but would like the option to burn mixed CD's from my existing collection at some point

[modwright]

Thanks guys, I will certainly look into this then.

I can easily add a tape monitor loop, but there wouldn't necessarily be any buffering, just the ability to run an input straight out without gain and then an input for monitoring, with gain.  I will see if I can't combine the HT/BP output to do double-duty as a tape out loop.  I am heading to the machine shop today, so I will have to do some fast thinking .

Thanks!

Dan

[WEEZ]

Ray-

For a tape loop you said the input should be buffered; don't you mean the tape output? (On the pre-amp, I mean)

An inexpensive option, seems to me, would be a set of tape output jacks on the pre-amp with an on/off switch. Then you could leave the deck connected at all times and just flip a switch when recording.

Sorry to bring this up in the ModWright thread.

Dan-

Looks like you've got a nice product coming out and I wish you the best of luck with it.

WEEZ

[modwright]

Just to show that I DO in fact listen to my customers...

I have decided to add a tape loop with tape monitor.  I actually made the last minute revisions this morning when the final drawings for the chassis were handed off to the machine shop.

The unti will function this way:

HT/BP will bypass the selected input DIRECT to the outputs with NO VOLUME ATTENUATION and bypassing the gain stage.

The Tape Out will simply always output the selected source, prior to volume control or gain stage.  There will be no buffer in tape output.  The tape monitor swtich will allow you to monitor to recorded source via the preamp gain stage.

I do appreciate the feedback and am confident that the unit will be more flexible and will sound great.

I expect to be shipping unitsin about four weeks.

Dan W.

[ted_b]

Can't wait!   Are you going to give a few reviewers a shot at it early?  Folks at PF, for example, or 6moons?  thx,
Ted

[guest1632]

Just to show that I DO in fact listen to my customers... ;)

I have decided to add a tape loop with tape monitor.  I actually made the last minute revisions this morning when the final drawings for the chassis were handed off to the machine shop.

The unti will function this way:

HT/BP will bypass the selected input DIRECT to the outputs with NO VOLUME ATTENUATION and bypassing the gain stage.

The Tape Out will simply always output the selected source, prior to volume control or gain stage.  There ...

[modwright]

Thanks for the suggestion RE tape loop.  The purpose of the tape loop is for tape recording, digital recording, output to head-amps, etc.  I will investigate this further however.

Dan

[modwright]

Here is a very recent e-mail (today) from a Beta customer who had their beta unit upgraded to the current circuit configuration - same circuit as used in the production units.

Egad!!  Is this somehow going to get better with the production unit?  
When it breaks in???

When I first got the first Beta, my reaction was to the trueness of
instruments.  That has not been lost, but enhanced.  Also, the
separation between instruments, even in complex passages, is phenomenal.  Excellent work.

I think you should change the name of the production unit to the
Alchemy 9.0

M. Smith (10.21.04)

I will post more feedback comments from other beta customers.

Dan W.

[guest1632]

Thanks for the suggestion RE tape loop.  The purpose of the tape loop is for tape recording, digital recording, output to head-amps, etc.  I will investigate this further however.

Dan

[modwright]

It is always appreciated!

Dan

[guest1632]

It is always appreciated!

Dan

[modwright]

The home theater bypass implementation is causing me some concern...

First of all, I plan to allow ANY of the inputs to be directly bypassed to the outputs, for use in HT/BP configuration.  This means that the front two channels of your multi-channel analog outputs can thus be fed through the preamp with no impact, while still feeding the front 2CH amps.  I do not have a system like this, but the intent is to allow flexibility for those who do have both Multi-CH HT/2CH audio combo systems.

Now, the problem is that if you flip the HT/BP switch and you have the wrong input selected - i.e. not the input from your multichannel or HT preamp with volume controls, then your amp and thus speakers will see the full output of the source - bang goes the drivers.

It really isn't feasible to just have one of the inputs switchable this way, in the manner that I have it currently implemented, so I planned to just have all channels be switchable.

The only other way that I can see to do this, is to run the BP signal through the volume control, so that essentially the preamp acts as a passive preamp in this mode.  Now, when you DO want to totally bypass the preamp, you simply turn the volume control all the way up, essentially removing the volume control from the circuit.

Please let me know if this makes sense to you guys as a safe way to offer the HT/BP option.

Thanks,

Dan

[ted_b]

Dan,
Why not implement it like the Adcom 750, as we discussed?  Make ONE dedicated processor input (and output, if necessary), and when the processor switch is enabled, the volume, balance, etc are bypassed and inoperable.   I see no reason why you'd want the engineering nightmare of providing the flexibility to bypass ANY input.  There should be little reason to have more than one processor/home theater input, tyupically the front two channels coming off your movie or multichannel processor.

Make the tape loop output a fixed level output.  Tie that output to whatever is selected as input, unless it's "tape" in which case the tape out is muted.
Ted_B

[modwright]

Thanks for the reminder...I just realized that this CAN be done, but an additional relay will be necessary.  The key is to switch both the HT/BP input straight to the output and at the same time, 'open' the connection between gain circuit output and main outs or mute it.

Thanks for helping me think myself out of the box that I was building .

Dan

[modwright]

Hi guys, just to keep those in the loop, who are waiting...

The machine shop is about two weeks out still on chassis and my hands are tied until then.  I will be shipping pre-orders and upgrades to Beta customers first.  The first run of 50 units is moving fast already.

Revisions from the first two prototypes and that used at CO include addition of a third switch for the tape/monitor loop as well as the R/C volume 'eye' (input receiver).  Engraved graphics are being improved to be more visible.  The logo and text will be cut deeper and sand blased prior to sanding and anodizing the metal for greater 'relief' and visibility.

I have settled on Sonicaps for outputs, bypassed with teflon caps and teflon interstage caps in the SE model.  SE models will also feature cryo-treated pure-silver signal wire and many electrolytic PS caps replaced with poly caps.  Other signal path components are also upgraded in teh SE version, and of course includes R/C volume.

I am working on a headphone amp that will likely be available as an add option later.  I decided against adding the headphone jack to the faceplate as a standard option as I wanted to preserve aesthetic appeal.

Due to addition of tape/monitor loop, total number of inputs is reduced to four.  Outputs are reduced to two, for use in biamping or running a sub in conjunction with regular amps.

Any additional comments RE aesthetics, options, function, etc. are certainly welcome at this time.

Thanks,

Dan

[randog]

Ooch. The tape loop sacrificed inputs...

A draw for me as I look for a new preamp is more than 4 inputs which is very hard to find. 6 sounded awesome.

I wonder if the target market would appreciate a tape loop over another couple pair of inputs. For instance, if only 5% used the tape loop the other 95% might appreciate the source expansion capabilities.  

Which in's does the HT bypass use?

Randog

[modwright]

Well first of all, thank you for the input.  I didn't know that that many people had more than four sources.  I figured that people may have a 2CH CD/SACD player, a DVD player that does double-duty in HT, tuner and either tape or phono.

It really would not be diffiicult to convert the tape/monitor jacks to another set of inputs, on a custom basis.  It would just require a couple of jumpers.

Please comment - anyone interested - so that I can tell if four inputs is not enough for most.

Thanks,

Dan

[Levi]

Hello Dan,

I am not speaking for everyone.  I think that 4 source input is sufficient.  Home theater or multi ch integration is what I am interested in.  

I think you are building an excellent product here.  How long is the warranty?

Thanks.

Levi

[modwright]

Warranty-wise, I believe it will be  3 years parts/labor, with six months on the tubes.  To be honest though, if you have troubles with a unit we built 3.5-4 years later, I am not going to charge you for the repair - especially not if it is our work that failed in some way.  I believe in supporting our customers long term, bottom line.

Regarding the inputs issue, after reviewing our control logic again, I believe that a person could gain another input, if you consider that the tape monitor input.  The way the input controls are designed, a relay will control whether a selected input or the tape monitor input feeds the preamp circuitry.  In other words, the input to the preamp circuit toggles between monitor and selected input, when the monitor switch is flipped.  I don't know if this makes sense, but this does give you a fifth input.  Or, realisticly, this would simply be your tape input, freeing up the other four inputs for other things.

I hope that this does suit the majority of people's needs.

Thanks,

Dan

[Chris_B]

That sounds great Dan.  I only have 4 sources (SACD, DAC, Tuner, HT input) so the option for the 5th is gravy.  I appreciate you keeping us updated.