[bebop]

I've had this wonderful piece of gear for about a week now and have been so pleased I want to share my thoughts on it.

The unit is dead quite making  the music jump out from nowhere as in a actual performance .
 Images ,both instrumental and vocal are rock-steady as in real life, giving a true sense of being at a live performance,
 rare at any price much less $499 ! Every instrument is heard as a separate  sound in a separate place ,again a rare feat.
The soundstage is excellent , both in depth and width and voices have the fullness and roundness of a 3-D image , not the typical
2-D flat sound of a singer with no throat.

The dynamics of the Vision are ,in a word, OUTSTANDING .
 The unit is fully capable of the hardest feat in audio, recreating the dynamics of a symphony orchestra in full cry and to do so at any volume WITH
 the lows.mids, and highs in the same  relationship they would have in a live performance.Cheapest phone stage I ever heard do this was 4k.

The sound overall is very neutral , no added warmth or boosted highs, just whats on the record  no more, no less.
 I have no doubt this unit will do the job on any kind of music at any volume, detail is just as great at low volumes as high, another rare feat .
If I have run across a better value in my 40 + years in audio I don't remember it and my memory is fine .

[ArthurDent]

Couldn't agree more. I had Frank's previous phono stage built into my T-8 pre, and got the new adjustable version when I had it upgraded to the CF pre. Both outstanding steps up from their fine predecessors. 

[Art_Chicago]

Great!

I really like my Vision Phono as well. The OP nailed it: dynamics is scary, and the sound stays natural at any volume.

Anyone is running LOMC through it? I am using HOMC (Denon 110), but will need to get a new cart at some point, and wondering what are pros and cons.
Thanks

[plaf26]

Am running a LOMC Denon DL103R with mine.  Can't compare it to any other LOMC's, because it's my first LOMC.  Everything else I've had were HOMM's, but this is the bestest, sweetest set-up I've ever had! 

[Art_Chicago]

Am running a LOMC Denon DL103R with mine.  Can't compare it to any other LOMC's, because it's my first LOMC.  Everything else I've had were HOMM's, but this is the bestest, sweetest set-up I've ever had! 

Can you comment on the Signal-to-Noise ratio when using LOMC in comparison with MMs?
Thanks

[plaf26]

I don't recall ever seeing S/N ratio stats for cartridges, since they wouldn't generate any noise when not generating a signal.  If you mean the difference in S/N ratios in the phono stage depending on whether it is set to MM or MC, you'd have to ask Frank.  I haven't compared them myself, but with mine set up for the DL103R, I have to turn it up to 12 o'clock to start to hear any noise with the selector set to the phono input.  The other hi-level inputs, as you'd expect, require more juice (about 3 or 4 o'clock) to hear noise.  In any case, I usually listen with the volume control at 10 o'clock at the most, and there it's dead quiet to these 69 year old ears. 

[Minn Mark]

Agree wholeheartedly with the OP and others. I upgraded my inboard phono in my AVA Insight preamp to Vision, without the adjustments (set up for MM). I'm using HOMC (Sumiko Blackbird), and am very happy with the Vision. See my posts here in this circle.

Minn Mark.

[Funnehaha]

Frank,

  I'm running my old Audio-Technica OC9 through a phono preamp at 20 ohms. If the impedance it sees is much higher, the treble gets shrill. Can the Vision be set to 20 ohms?

Thanks.

[Tom Alverson]

Frank,

  I'm running my old Audio-Technica OC9 through a phono preamp at 20 ohms. If the impedance it sees is much higher, the treble gets shrill. Can the Vision be set to 20 ohms?

Thanks.

The adjustable version goes down as low as 30 ohms.  Give Frank a call as he might be willing to customize one for you.  Here are the specs for the adjustable version:

The Vision Phono preamplifier provides 40 dB gain for normal moving magnet cartridges and switchable 54 dB, 60 dB, and 66 dB gain for moving coil cartridges. The load input settings for moving coil cartridges range from 30 ohm to 1K ohm with many settings in between.  This is all done with a 10-position dip switch per channel.

[Minn Mark]

And we assume 47K for the MM setting?

Mark

[avahifi]

Yes, the MM input is fixed at 47K ohm.  We can change this for a special order by changing the resistor value but it is not user switchable.

The MC dip switch settings allow direct settings of 5 different load values, 47Ω, 100Ω, 220Ω, 475Ω, and 1KΩ.  Using the formula for resistors in parallel, 1/Rx = 1/R1 + 1/R2 + 1/R3, etc. allows other load values by combining settings.  For example setting the 47Ω plus the 100Ω and the 475Ω values at the same time yields an approximate 30Ω load.

We can change the MM load values on a special order basis upon request.

Frank Van Alstine

[TerryWI]

I am also quite pleased with my Insight Vision phono stage.  I recently had my Insight Preamp upgraded to Insight+ with the phono stage swapped out for the Vision.  Truly a bargain upgrade to get more amazing system performance.   

[Art_Chicago]

Yes, the MM input is fixed at 47K ohm.  We can change this for a special order by changing the resistor value but it is not user switchable.

The MC dip switch settings allow direct settings of 5 different load values, 47Ω, 100Ω, 220Ω, 475Ω, and 1KΩ.  Using the formula for resistors in parallel, 1/Rx = 1/R1 + 1/R2 + 1/R3, etc. allows other load values by combining settings.  For example setting the 47Ω plus the 100Ω and the 475Ω values at the same time yields an approximate 30Ω load.

We can change the MM load values on a special order basis upon request.

Frank Van Alstine

Frank -- I just purchased AT OC9 II LOMC today (it is on sale from LPGear) The specs say > 20 Ohm, but the web sources indicate that 100 Ohm is optimal. Is there a way to determine the best setting except for multiple trials?

[avahifi]

Try the 100Ω switch first of course.

The 100Ω plus 220Ω setting yield a lower load, around 75Ω.

The 100Ω plus 47Ω yields about 33Ω.

All five load settings on at the same time yields something below 30Ω.  I don't have time to do the exact match right now but you can using the formula previously shown.

Frank

[tipatina]

Anyone have experience with the MC Version of the Vision and the Dynavector 20XXL (low output version)?
Specs below with the low output version on right.
 High/Low output moving coil cartridge with flux damper and softened magnetism
Output Voltage    2.8mV / 0.3mV (at 1KHz, 5cm/sec.)
Channel Separation    25 dB (at 1KHz)
Channel balance    1.0 dB (at 1KHz)
Frequency response    20 - 20,000Hz (± 2dB)
Compliance    12 x 10-6 cm/dyn
Tracking force    1.8 - 2.2grams
DC resistance    150 ohms / 5 ohms
Recommended load
resistance    > 1,000 ohms / > 30 ohms
Cantilever    6mm length, hard aluminium pipe
Stylus    Micro Ridge Nude diamond
Weight    9.2 grams

[Art_Chicago]

Anyone have experience with the MC Version of the Vision and the Dynavector 20XXL (low output version)?
Specs below with the low output version on right.
 High/Low output moving coil cartridge with flux damper and softened magnetism
Output Voltage    2.8mV / 0.3mV (at 1KHz, 5cm/sec.)
Channel Separation    25 dB (at 1KHz)
Channel balance    1.0 dB (at 1KHz)
Frequency response    20 - 20,000Hz (± 2dB)
Compliance    12 x 10-6 cm/dyn
Tracking force    1.8 - 2.2grams
DC resistance    150 ohms / 5 ohms
Recommended load
resistance    > 1,000 ohms / > 30 ohms
Cantilever    6mm length, hard aluminium pipe
Stylus    Micro Ridge Nude diamond
Weight    9.2 grams

Well -- Now I run ATOC9 II LOMC with Vision Phono, and that is a major improvement over Denon 110 HOMC/Vision. I set the load at 47 Ohm (20 recommended)  and a standard +20 dB gain. The output voltage is 0.4 mV, similar to 20XXL. So, it should not be a problem to use Dynavector with Vision Phono.

What is really striking--  a lower noise level; something that I was not expecting. Previously the "clicks" would get annoying at medium-to-high volume. I tested the setup (Technics 1200MK2, T8 preamp) with several LP's from the Salvatore list, some newly remastered King Crimson and more recent stuff like Fleet Foxes, Radiohead, and really like natural and very detailed sound. Dynamics is just scary, but that was also the case with Denon.
Kudos to Frank for another outstanding value!

[4Play]

I'm in the market for a new phono preamp, and the Vision is on my short list. What makes the Vision stand above the rest, and how would you describe its performance with HO and LOMC cartridges? Most HOMC use the same gain as a MM cartridge? Also, has anyone had a problem adjusting gain on any cartridge you have tried?

I'm hoping to make my decision in a few days, and any help you can provide will be appreciated.

[Art_Chicago]

I'm in the market for a new phono preamp, and the Vision is on my short list. What makes the Vision stand above the rest, and how would you describe its performance with HO and LOMC cartridges? Most HOMC use the same gain as a MM cartridge? Also, has anyone had a problem adjusting gain on any cartridge you have tried?

I'm hoping to make my decision in a few days, and any help you can provide will be appreciated.

AVA has 30 days return policy, and shipping is relatively cheap for a small unit.

You can specify the settings you need for your cart. It is easy to change it, though. I did not have any problems changing the gain and the load going from HOMC to LOMC. Hope it helps.

[4Play]

AVA has 30 days return policy, and shipping is relatively cheap for a small unit.

You can specify the settings you need for your cart. It is easy to change it, though. I did not have any problems changing the gain and the load going from HOMC to LOMC. Hope it helps.

What was the deciding factor for you to choose the Vision over other preamps, and what makes the Vision stand out over the others

[Minn Mark]

For me, I used the phono stage built into my AVA preamp, the Omega series at the time I purchased it. I have listened to AVA equipment for many years, and when the opportunity to upgrade came, I upgraded through the Insight circuits to the Vision phono circuits in my preamp.

I really liked the previous versions. I am not the type to always go listening for comparisons, but I do read the audio press (TAS, Stereophile). For a long time, I considered getting an outboard "audiophile" phono stage, but overall I was always happy with the sound of AVA's phono. For my ears, it was very clean, quiet and 'neutral', which I what I want from my system. I like to hear what's in the source, be it good or bad.

The Vision phono was different from what I had been used to when I first heard it. I was very accustomed to the previous versions phono circuit.  What I heard at first listen was a very quiet, dynamic and broader expanse of the soundstage, and the individual component instruments and voices. At first I wondered if I would like this better then AVAs previous phono. As I grew accustomed to the Vision's presentation I grew to like it more and more. What was good about the previous circuits was there, but in the Vision, everything was just 'better'.  Not euphemistically, or euphonically, just a more 'real'  presentation of the source material, mainly in an overall more coherent presentation. Instruments and voices still floated holographically in air, but not as singularly as they had with the previous AVA phono. The soundstage improved from a growing of photos, to an expansive complete painting of the performance.

I'm not a rich guy and I as I said, I don't tend to experiment by buying or swapping components.  I have long appreciated Frank's design and vendor philosophy, and my experience with AVA products is stellar.  When or if I update, I will look at their products first.

I continue to be happy with the Vision phono, used in MM mode.  I listen mainly to vinyl, and would make this choice again without hesitation.

Best Regards,

Mark.