The all new CA1 and NP1

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DecibleDude

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Re: The all new CA1 and NP1
« Reply #40 on: 11 May 2024, 10:08 am »
 Would it be possible to post a picture or pictures of the new CA1 with it's cover off so we can see what the inside looks like as with the SET 120 control amp? One of the things I love about the set 120 control amp is the simplicity and clean layout inside and neatness of design. I suspect the CA1 is similar in that respect but of course with the phono preamp included. The most beautiful piece of gear I ever owned on the outside was the Tandberg TR2060 in the late seventies, but inside it was a spaghetti farm with wire crisscrossing from one side to the other. It looked a mess to be honest and offended my ocd nature I guess, so I kept the lid on at all times. The irony was that the unit they had on display in the store had a plexiglass cover so you could see the inside, and I thought why? Why spoil the illusion of perfection by showing people that mess, but whatever.

avahifi

Re: The all new CA1 and NP1
« Reply #41 on: 13 May 2024, 03:37 pm »
Insides of new AVA NP1 power amp.  Control amp adds phono board, headphones board,  remote receiver board, motor driven volume control, and four position selector switch.

Sound is over the top fantastic! Just starting to ship now.

Frank

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jmc207

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Re: The all new CA1 and NP1
« Reply #42 on: 13 May 2024, 09:13 pm »
Nice, clean layout. Hope to see a review soon.

DecibleDude

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Re: The all new CA1 and NP1
« Reply #43 on: 13 May 2024, 09:19 pm »
Beautiful, I'm probably one of the few that think the beauty of the inside is as important as the outside. You should probably post this on your website because there's likely a few like me that will be impressed by how tidy it is. :D
« Last Edit: 14 May 2024, 01:00 am by DecibleDude »

avahifi

Re: The all new CA1 and NP1
« Reply #44 on: 14 May 2024, 04:27 pm »
Here is another photo showing the insides of the new AVA CA1 Control amplifier.



Frank

hawkmoon

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Re: The all new CA1 and NP1
« Reply #45 on: 14 May 2024, 04:39 pm »
All of Frank’s equipment is this clean!  Note the large transformer - another trademark.

DecibleDude

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Re: The all new CA1 and NP1
« Reply #46 on: 14 May 2024, 07:56 pm »
 Lol, I thought the first pic was the CA1 and I couldn't figure out where everything was, but now it makes sense. This also looks wonderfully neat, even with all the added features over the 120 control amp. You design great stuff Frank, and to think I only heard about you and your company a couple of years ago. It doesn't seem possible with all the years of interest in HiFi gear I've had. I could have saved myself a lot of time and money if I had known, but better late to the party than never I guess.

Rusty Jefferson

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Re: The all new CA1 and NP1
« Reply #47 on: 14 May 2024, 08:22 pm »
Would just like to verify the gain of the CA1 is (max volume position) 36dB on any input, not the phono input?

avahifi

Re: The all new CA1 and NP1
« Reply #48 on: 15 May 2024, 12:19 am »
The CA1 gain is 36 dB as reported. Phono gain is normal for MM cartridges..

These two units resolve the music way better than any playback equipment you have ever heard. Nothing just blends together. Peter, Paul, and Mary are three separate wonderful voices, not a slightly blended mix. Everything is real and the experience just makes you listen.

After you hear one you can’t go back.

Frank

jandrews

Re: The all new CA1 and NP1
« Reply #49 on: 15 May 2024, 01:16 am »
Frank can you post a pic of the front of NP1?

Rusty Jefferson

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Re: The all new CA1 and NP1
« Reply #50 on: 15 May 2024, 02:02 pm »
The CA1 gain is 36 dB as reported....

Frank
Thanks Frank. Would there be any remote control interference having either one of the control amplifiers (CA1 or SET  120) in a rack with the digital dac/preamp? I have two independent zones housed in one rack. I wouldn't want the dac/preamp remote to also simultaneously raise/lower the control amp volume. I'm currently using 2 different manufacturers equipment and control them independently with each companies remote.

avahifi

Re: The all new CA1 and NP1
« Reply #51 on: 15 May 2024, 04:39 pm »
The digital preamp and CA1 use different remote senders that do not interact with each other.


The NP1 faceplate is identical to the CA1 faceplate less the knobs and remote sensor lens. Photo coming soon.

Frank

DecibleDude

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Re: The all new CA1 and NP1
« Reply #52 on: 15 May 2024, 10:55 pm »
The CA1 gain is 36 dB as reported. Phono gain is normal for MM cartridges..

These two units resolve the music way better than any playback equipment you have ever heard. Nothing just blends together. Peter, Paul, and Mary are three separate wonderful voices, not a slightly blended mix. Everything is real and the experience just makes you listen.

After you hear one you can’t go back.

Frank

What was the gain on the set 120 control amp by comparison?  Apologies, I know it's been given before, but all I can remember is that it's 6 db higher than on the 120 power amp.

BobRex

Re: The all new CA1 and NP1
« Reply #53 on: 15 May 2024, 11:29 pm »
The CA1 gain is 36 dB as reported. Phono gain is normal for MM cartridges..

These two units resolve the music way better than any playback equipment you have ever heard. Nothing just blends together. Peter, Paul, and Mary are three separate wonderful voices, not a slightly blended mix. Everything is real and the experience just makes you listen.

After you hear one you can’t go back.


Frank

Are you suggesting that these units are sonically superior to your other current offerings?


DecibleDude

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Re: The all new CA1 and NP1
« Reply #54 on: 15 May 2024, 11:47 pm »
 That's more or less what's suppose to happen with new products, no?

Rusty Jefferson

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Re: The all new CA1 and NP1
« Reply #55 on: 16 May 2024, 03:22 am »
What was the gain on the set 120 control amp by comparison?  Apologies, I know it's been given before, but all I can remember is that it's 6 db higher than on the 120 power amp.
32 dB of gain for the SET 120 control amplifier.

DecibleDude

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Re: The all new CA1 and NP1
« Reply #56 on: 16 May 2024, 10:50 am »
Thanks Rusty. Is there any interesting significance to this difference that might have to do with the nested improvements?

mannishjoy

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Re: The all new CA1 and NP1
« Reply #57 on: 16 May 2024, 01:08 pm »
Hi All,

My CA-1 is out for delivery.  My most recent amps were the DVA M225s powering Vandersteen 2Ces, and most recently the SET 120 powering Salk HT-1 TLs. Well, I've moved into my endgame speaker, the 99db efficient Zu Soul 6s. Other than the Zus I've been without any reference gear, and they've been connected to a $199 best buy Yamaha, which has been surprisingly engaging via the Zus. I do now have a border patrol DAC and Eversolo streamer on loan so I'll be able to give the CA-1 a fair go powering the Zus before my end-game digital arrives in a few weeks. I'll certainly post thoughts here.

The other day Frank posted internal photos of the CA-1. Compared to the SET 120, it probably has twice as many internal parts, if not more, and I can't imagine it is not a more expensive build than the 120....yet Van Alstine is only charging $200 more for the CA-1 than the SET 120. This sort of customer first, value pricing when introducing a new product that is replacing a legacy product is simply unheard of in the audio industry, even amongst other fair-budget minded boutique operations. Even before getting delivery of the CA-1, this is the most impressive aspect.

Thanks again Frank, Mary and the whole crew!

Matt in Pewaukee Wisconsin USA

dlparker

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Re: The all new CA1 and NP1
« Reply #58 on: 16 May 2024, 03:30 pm »

...
The other day Frank posted internal photos of the CA-1. Compared to the SET 120, it probably has twice as many internal parts, if not more, and I can't imagine it is not a more expensive build than the 120....yet Van Alstine is only charging $200 more for the CA-1 than the SET 120.
...

"Wait! There's more!"

The CA-1 has a phono preamp. That alone saves you $579.00!

DecibleDude

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Re: The all new CA1 and NP1
« Reply #59 on: 16 May 2024, 03:35 pm »
Yeah, it does look like a good deal, especially considering you would need to add a separate phono preamp to the set 120 control amp for vinyl.  In my own case I prefer a separate phono preamp, but for most people I suspect having it built in is better. Then again, there's also the remote, which is convenient if you don't want to combine your music listening with exercise.