[tobyw]

Okay, I dabbled with a Clari-T and really liked what I heard.  The battery powered amp matched my battery powered Teres table, but I was still using an ac powered phono stage and started thinking...
The people at Nutshell Audio decided to stop carrying the DACT product line for whatever reason, and were selling out the remaining stock at 1/2 price, so I couldn't say no.  The DACT CT 100 phono stage, CT 101 stereo linestage, CT2 volume control, and CT3 selector switch and the appropriate DACT knobs were to much to resist, so I bought them all.  I even purchased the CT 102 power supply so I could assemble a phono stage to ensure it was compatible with my Shelter 901 cartridge before sending it off to Vinnie.  The sound with the AC power supply was dynamic, and the phono stage was definitely adaptable to the Shelter 901, so off the components went for a full treatment a la Vinnie.  A nice box with dual batteries; one for the phono stage and one for the preamplifier, multiple inputs and dual outputs.  I had to remove the top panel to adjust the gain, the resistance and capacitance on the Phono stage, and the construction was first rate.
The whole job was returned in just ten days!
Absolutley the blackest blacks, extreme dynamics and a perfect match to the Clari-T (which Vinnie had completely modded with Black Gates, Auri Caps and Vinnie also removed the shunt volume control).
My Open Baffle PHY-HP's have never sounded better, and the experience of working with Vinnie was delightful.  We had numerous discussions as to what was to be accomplished, he provided several versions of the final  agreement and did exactly what he said he would do.
I read the reviews that said a tube preamp is a perfect match for the Clari-T, but I don't really see how it can get much better that what I was listening to this evening.  Vinnie Rossi is one heck of a craftsman who really knows his stuff.
I have posted pics of the custom preamp on my gallery page.
TobyW

[lonewolfny42]

Very nice !!! Enjoy it !!!    

tobyw's Gallery...[/list:u]

[maxwalrath]

damn....those are some cool looking speakers!

[Vinnie R.]

I read the reviews that said a tube preamp is a perfect match for the Clari-T, but I don't really see how it can get much better that what I was listening to this evening. Vinnie Rossi is one heck of a craftsman who really knows his stuff.
I have posted pics of the custom preamp on my gallery page.
..

Hi Tobyw,

Thanks for giving me the opportunity to build your custom battery preamp, and thanks for posting your impressions of it and your experience in dealing with Red Wine Audio!  I really enjoyed building it for you, and love how it allows for the gain to be adjusted (simple to use jumpers to set for 0, 6, or 12dB of gain).  I also really love how it is a minimalist design, add no noise, and has awesome synergy with your custom modded Clari-T-Amp, as well as my battery powered Monica 2 DAC that I tried it with.

Believe me, I wanted to tell you that I needed a few more months to finish it just so I could enjoy it for myself,
but that would have been dishonest      

If anyone else is interested in the same unit (or something similiar, but with more or less features) feel free to contact me.  

PS: Love your speakers, Tobyw, and I am working on a similar pair of transparent baffles (24"x 42") for the B200s (darkstar thread), which should be here hopefully next week.  Can't wait!

[tobyw]

Hi, Maxwalrath!
Thank youfor the kind words about my speakers.  I did get the idea of a clear baffle from the internet, initially the liuliu german glass baffle, and then I had extensive email correspondence to ericm (on AC).  Both of those designs didn't have the childproof-ness I was looking for, so I designed a different base that supports the baffle from toppling over if pushed from behind, as their designs allowed.  The reality is that the base is removable and I wil be able to modify the mount later, if necessary (and it isn't necessary, by the way).  I just mounted B200's in the same baffles with adapters, and for a tenth the price of the french drivers you don't miss too much.


Hi, Vinnie!
My B200's arrived yesterday, I just had to see what all the buzz was about. I made some adaptor plates out of teak plywood and mounted the 8 inch B200's where the 12 inch PHY-HP's were before.  They are a different sound compared to the PHY-HP's for sure, but you are going to love them.  Doobie Brothers, Pat Methany, Ottmar Leibert and the Eagles so far have all been guests in my listing room.  The preamp is set to 0 gain, and at half volume you don't need any more juice.  There is great dynamic headroom and the amp is never close to clipping.  I still like the creamy sound of the PHY-HP's, but the B200's are very very nice indeed.  I am sure you will enjoy them, too.

[holyghostfire21]

Hey Tobyw

I am glad you are enjoying your new B200 drivers. How does the B200 drivers compare to the PHY-HP 12" drivers? I know the bigger the driver the better dynamics and bass. Currently, the speakers I use are Hammer Dynamic which suit me just fine, but am looking for another set of full range speakers to try in an OB.

[tobyw]

Hello, Holyghostfire21!
The B200's really accomplish alot of the PHY-HP's sound at a tenth the cost.  There are some differences, though.  There is a thread on the need for bass augmentation with the B200's, that I don't really feel is necessary on the 12 inch PHY-hp's,  but you can live with the B200's very easily, and for the price, it's as if they were free compared to the french drivers. The PHY-HP's have a creamy wholesome sound while the B200's are a bit more constrained and sterile in comparison (but this might be since they are so new and haven't fully broken in or loosened up yet).  
That's the sonic difference; the aesthetic difference is greater, and I have been told that I am not going to use the B200's in my living room /listening room since the bronze surrounds and baskets look so killer on the french drivers when mounted in Lexan.  The utilitarian look of the black B200's will relegate them to a bedroom system where they aren't in full view of our guests according to my wife.
The sound of the B200's is open, articulate, accurate, quick and dynamic.  They image better than the 12 inch drivers do even when mounted in the same Lexan Baffles, so the difference in imaging has to be the drivers.
I have had musician friends who know what instruments are supposed to sound like say "WOW" when they listen to the Visaton B200's.  
The B200's seem to be more efficient than the PHY-HP drivers, even though the specs would lead you to believe otherwise.  Just be sure your sources and amplification are dead quiet with these drivers and you will be happy.
Best of luck and happy listening!