AVA Fetvalve EC Preamp for sale on Ebay

jackman · « **on:** 19 Mar 2003, 02:29 am »

I have this model and like it a lot. It's on ebay and looks to be in decent shape. This is NOT mine, I plan to keep my Fetvalve. Here is the link:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=3013738636&category=14974

Tyson · « **Reply #1 on:** 19 Mar 2003, 02:50 am »

I have the latest version of the FetValve (now called the Transcendance 7), and it is a very nice preamp, easily on par with my previous Audible Illusions preamp.

drphoto · « **Reply #2 on:** 19 Mar 2003, 05:18 am »

Thanks for the tip....think I'm in on this one.

TheChairGuy · « **Reply #3 on:** 19 Mar 2003, 02:56 pm »

Hey Tyson,

Both the Trascendance 7 and Audible Illusions are preamps that I may aspire to in the future (maybe others in the forum, too) - how do they compare in your opinion?

At least on paper, the Trans 7 (as a hybrid) would seem to give the attack, speed and dynamics of solid state with the grainless and warm, less veiled quality of tubes. Sort of the holy grail for most folks on this forum

. But, how does it really stack up against a classic, rave reviewed tube pre like the AI3a?

JoshK · « **Reply #4 on:** 19 Mar 2003, 03:21 pm »

Man, I want his "Van Alpine"!

Tyson · « **Reply #5 on:** 20 Mar 2003, 10:43 pm »

Well, the T7 is certainly quieter than the AI, put your ear up to the speaker and you can hardly tell the system is powered on. In most areas the AI and the T7 are more alike than similar, but I would give the edge to the T7 overall because the highs are more extended and clear, the bass is deeper and tighter, and there is very little low level compression. I've noticed that "many" pieces of high end audio gear have a bit of low level compression, where the soft notes or quiet parts are boosted a little bit, giving the impression of having more "detail". With the T7, the low level stuff is still there, but it's not pushed out at you as much. As a consequence, where there is a quiet part to the music, the T7 lets it play as truly quiet. I am suprised at how much just this one area makes listening to music more enjoyable.

Also, the T7 has a stepped volume control, but it's nowhere near as big a jump in volume between settings. That was my main complaint against the AI (besides the fact that the AI was susceptible to the RFI problem I have here). The reviews all say that the AI was a heck of a preamp, and I agree, it really is. That said, I do like the T7 just a little better.

JoshK · « **Reply #6 on:** 20 Mar 2003, 10:50 pm »

Tyson,

How does the T7 compare to the Symphonic Line preamp you had?

Rocket · « **Reply #7 on:** 20 Mar 2003, 11:16 pm »

hello tyson,

actually i was just thinking that when i read your post. i'm sure you had the symphonic line preamp, do you still have it or have you moved on to the ava preamp?

regards

rod

Tyson · « **Reply #8 on:** 20 Mar 2003, 11:35 pm »

I liked the SL better, especially in conjunction with the Dual Mono stratos - that was some very nice synergy there.

TheChairGuy · « **Reply #9 on:** 23 Mar 2003, 05:09 pm »

Excellent Tyson, thanks.

I'm pretty sure the SL preamp is more $ than the T7 or even AI3a, so I guess it shoulda' been better on that basis.

I think we're all looking for the Holy Grail here, but it doesn't really exist - dammit!

jackman · « **Reply #10 on:** 23 Mar 2003, 05:45 pm »

I think Tyson means the SL was better with the DM amp, with the Transcendance amp it may be a different story.

J

TheChairGuy · « **Reply #11 on:** 24 Mar 2003, 05:42 pm »

Yep JMan,

Could be...synergy accounts for alot usually.