[zybar]

I have heard very good things about the work that John Tucker does, but would like to hear from people who went this route.

What did you previously have?

What are the strengths and weaknesses of the Exemplar?

Thanks in advance for your feedback.

george

[mgalusha]

George,

Jerry (Turk) has one and I had the pleasure of borrowing it for a week. It's a very nice piece of work. At first the bass was somewhat soft but after speaking with John Tucker he returned it for some additional mods which tightened up and extended the bass without messing up the midrange (which is very liquid and smooth). IMO the only real weakness that it runs very warm due to the tube output stage. Not a unit to leave discs in while they are not being played and the player is powered up. Hopefully Jerry will chime in with some more detailed information. I did post a mini review of it a while back while it was on loan. It should be in the Critics Circle somewhere.

As a side note, I have a Parts Connexion moded Denon 2900 which was not as good as the Exemplar (somewhat dry and analytical) but fortunately I was able to do a little more tweaking and this flushed out the midrange. I still like his Exemplar modded unit better but they are now very close and I practically stole the Denon I have so replacement isn't in the future right now.

Mike

[zybar]

Thanks Mike.

Yet another reason to visit both you and Jerry.  

I will look up your mini-review as well.

George

[alotaklipsch]

I have the Exemplar on order right now, I have the APL SACD 1000 also, so far comparing the Exemplar without siltech, the score is Redbook poor recorded(Exemplar), Mid level(exemplar), well recorded(=), SACD(APL)

In my system with my ears and horn speakers.  I am sending the APL back to Alex next week for the new chip.  Once I have both fully maxed out machines in my house I will give my official opinion.

[zybar]

What makes up the rest of your system?

I don't see your listed under the systems section.

George

[alotaklipsch]

George, I combine my 2 channel with HT, I have 5 Cornwall's, 1 SVS B4-Plus sub with the Crown K2 amp, B&K 507AVR, Sony Multidisk, Denon 2900(at Johns), Alex Paychev SACD 1000, Exemplar 2A3, Wavelength Cardinal X1's....and more..  I should have Both back within 20 days in my system, I am comparing pre-amps right now, and am waiting for one from both Dan Wright, and John.  I also am waiting for some custom triode/ultralinear amps to be completed, next week, using WE 350B's/Gold lion kt88's.

[Turk]

Hi George,

I'll chime in by saying that the Exemplar/Denon has been trouble free for almost a full year and I have played the hell out of it.  John Tucker mods the Denon so you can turn off the tube output stage yet leave the dacs on and warmed up.  A nice feature since most dacs are better when left on and take forever to warm up in my experience; the tube stage warms up quickly.  I will be sending mine back for the Siltech upgrade.

By the way, I have spent a great deal of time tube rolling.  I have come across 2 I like very much:  Amperex Holland 7062 "pinched waist" and the GE 6829.  The Amperex is detailed, transparent and provides tight bass.  The GE gives very slightly less of those qualities but is a touch warmer and smoother.

I will be interested in hearing alotaklipsch's evaluation.