Upgrade to Van Alstine?

WEEZ · « **Reply #20 on:** 18 Jul 2005, 12:07 am »

..as I told Charles, give us all a review when you have the opportunity, and congratulations on your purchase....

WEEZ

skrivis · « **Reply #21 on:** 18 Jul 2005, 04:23 pm »

Quote from: Charles Calkins

elcapitain88 wants to know if he should upgrade to Audio by Van Alstine equipment.
I say he should and as soon as possible before the prices go up.
I finally got my T7ECR preamp last wednesday. It has by far exceded my expectations. Best preamp I've ever had. Very sensitive. Probably as close as you can get to the source of CD playback. No coloration whatsoever. Very neutral. I can hardly wait until it's broken in. Maybe a month or so. I tip my hat to Frank and Larry for creating such fine audio gear. ...

I didn't know that electronics need to be "broken in."

WEEZ · « **Reply #22 on:** 18 Jul 2005, 11:54 pm »

C'Mon, now skrivis, let's not do 'break-in' like we did 'power-cords'..

WEEZ

avahifi_lj · « **Reply #23 on:** 19 Jul 2005, 01:23 pm »

Quote from: WEEZ

Congratulations Charles.

You may be one of the first to own a 'new & improved' T-7; or is it a T-9??

You owe us all a review when you get a few more hours on it so we can all either drool- or save for a T-8; T-9; or T-whatever

WEEZ

Hi:

I installed the "new and improved" preamp (whatever we end up calling the T7 replacement) in my system over the weekend. All I can say is WOW!!! The power amp I currently have installed is our Ultimate 70. I thought the U70 and the T7R sounded great, but this combination is better yet.

The sound I'm hearing from the tube power amplifier is something I thought I would only hear from our FetValve amplifier. The lows are super, the highs extend without sounding harsh, and the mids have a wonderful accuracy to them. I dare say it's the best my system has ever sounded.

There is no way I would believe a small 30+ Watt per channel amplifier would produce such sound. There is no doubt that this preamp and the U70 are a pretty darn nice combination.

Now I have to try the preamp with my FetValve amp....

Larry

Dan Kolton · « **Reply #24 on:** 19 Jul 2005, 03:27 pm »

Larry,

Both my T7 and my 550 are there for upgrade. I can hardly wait. I've never gotten an upgrade that wasn't an improvement. I'm anxious to read your comments on the "T7x"/"550EZXx" combination.

WEEZ · « **Reply #25 on:** 19 Jul 2005, 10:33 pm »

Hi Larry,

So could you give us a generic 'hint' as to the T-8 vs. the T-7'improved'? (The one I've been calling a T-9

)

T-8 vs. T-7(9)- that's the question..

WEEZ

mark funk · « **Reply #26 on:** 19 Jul 2005, 11:27 pm »

Hello all,
I have had my T5SLR for about a year and a T-DACR Fet Valve 550EXR6 in Febuary and I'm very happy. Thay make my DQ10s (Dahlquist for you young lads) I know that dates me a little. Anyway I could never get good low end from the DQ10s, with amps like Dyna 416,Levison,caver,Adcon and so on. I hope all of you listen to Frank when he talks audio! He knows! I damped my DQ10s like Frank said in Audio Basics #1 #1 yes, made them sound better. I could go on about the old days but this is today. Will the T5 be able to be up graded to a T8? What is the mod for the Fet Valve 550? Is there a up grade for the T-DACR in the works? Oh ya, I like the black boxs! Use the money for more R-D!

WEEZ · « **Reply #27 on:** 20 Jul 2005, 12:54 am »

mark, welcome to AC.

I'm old enough to remember the Dahlquist speakers. I'm actually old enough to remember stuff before that even

I only heard the DQ10's once at a local dealer back when; and I think the electronics were Phase Linear via vinyl. Nice.

I was a college student and could only afford the Large Advents. Used 'em with a Dyna ST-400 ( no Van Alstine mods, though) after a Dyna ST-70. Dyna tubed pre-amp; AR Turntable. Ahh....

As good as the older stuff was- I think today's stuff is better in terms of resolution and noise.

Looking for comments on the T-8....

WEEZ

Charles Calkins · « **Reply #28 on:** 20 Jul 2005, 01:04 am »

Yo weez and Mark Funk:
Remember Rectilinear? Ampex? Heathkit? Garrard? BSR? Pacific Stereo? etc. etc. etc. And the list goes on about long departed audio companys.

Cheers
Charlie

WEEZ · « **Reply #29 on:** 20 Jul 2005, 01:19 am »

Yup. and KLH, Eico, Stromberg Carlson, Harman Kardon (when it was built in the USA) and even Marantz.

Way before CD; CD-r; DVD; SACD; i-pods; ear pods; down-loads; up-loads (er; upsample) etc.

WEEZ

Charles Calkins · « **Reply #30 on:** 20 Jul 2005, 02:15 am »

Yo weez!!!
In the 1940's when I was a preteen there was a store on Mission street in San Francisco that sold Stromberg Carlson gear. I had my eye on a unit that looked like a small suitcase with a record player in it. $24.95 Man that was a lot of bucks to me. Hooray!! It went on sale! Now I thought I could afforf it. That next Saturday I went to the store and it was on sale for(guess what) $24.95. Marked down from $29.95. Needless to say I didn't buy it. Another deal I let get away! BooHoo.

Cheers
Charlie

avahifi_lj · « **Reply #31 on:** 21 Jul 2005, 03:56 pm »

Quote from: WEEZ

Hi Larry,

So could you give us a generic 'hint' as to the T-8 vs. the T-7'improved'? (The one I've been calling a T-9 )

T-8 vs. T-7(9)- that's the question..

WEEZ

Hi:

The T8 is an all tube amplifier in the line stage and phono stage (if equipped). There are solid state devices used in the power supply. There is also a separate solid state headphone section. While the system had some roots in the T5 preamp, it has many significant changes, including an all tube phono section verses the tube/solid state phono used in the T5. A new active regulated power supply that drives the audio stages was added. We changed the operating parameters for the active circuits. Also added for the first time in our all-tube preamp is a mute circuit.

In the "yet to be named" preamp that replaces the T7 series there has also been some very significant changes from any of our previous preamp designs. This preamp started with the basic patented design that resulted in the original FetValve preamp and the later T7. This preamp, however, sees additional (major) changes, including changes to the original operating parameters. We changed the interstage coupling between the active devices. The system still uses a combination of a tube and Fet to provide more drive capability and isolation, thus allowing us to offer the system with tone controls (the EC version). Features from the T7 that still remain are the advanced headphone section, the mute circuit, and the optional remote control.

So in summary, what we have is the new T8 that is replacing all of the existing tube and tube/FET preamps. The "yet to be named" preamp that is an evolution of the FetValve/T7 series is the highest class offering we have. For now, those purchasing the T5 or T6 will get the new T8 in the original SL chassis. Those purchasing the T7 in the SL or EC chassis, will get the new tube/FET preamp in the original chassis. Once the new chassis styling is in from the suppliers the systems will be offered (hopefully with a name given to the new preamp), but will be at a higher price.

One point of interest regarding the OmegaStar series: There has been a lot of talk about the tube equipment which makes people wonder about the solid state product line. The OmegaStar series is one of the most popular product lines we offer. Many people who are interested in deluxe sound select this product line because of the lower cost. Some, like me, have a complete OmegaStar system as a second system (which I actually listen to more than the other system). Yet others use our OmegaStar line as part of their home theater. The OmegaStar power amplifier line recently underwent a significant upgrade to the EX series, using the same output section we use in the FetValve amplifier. If you want a superior sounding system that is virtually maintenance free, the OmegaStar series is extremely hard to beat. For those really looking for value we offer the low cost OmegaStar SL preamp kit. Couple the OmegaStar 240EX and the SL kit and you have a system for under $1,400!

Thanks for your interest in AVA products!

Larry

WEEZ · « **Reply #32 on:** 21 Jul 2005, 05:22 pm »

Thanks, Larry.

What about sonic differences?..

WEEZ

avahifi_lj · « **Reply #33 on:** 21 Jul 2005, 07:00 pm »

Quote from: WEEZ

Thanks, Larry.

What about sonic differences?..

WEEZ

Ah now for the subjective part....

In my opinion the T8 brings more detail, definition and clarity to the table when compared to any of the previous tube preamps. I hear no harsh edges, just a magnificent soundstage that has everything placed properly. I would not call the T8 a tube sounding preamp. As anyone who has followed our product line (and this group) has noticed, we don't strive to have a "tube sound" in any of our products. We try and reproduce the sound as accurately as possible. Does this mean the T8 has no tube sound characteristics? Absolutely not, the T8 has the wonderful mids you associate with tube preamps, but does not have the mushy lows and rolled off highs also often associated with tube systems. When I heard an early prototype of what finally became a T8 I was ready to replace my T7 with it simply because I liked the way it sounded.

The new tube/FET preamp is even more detailed than the T8. What I mean by that is that it digs out nuances in the music that you rarely hear. The detail is more defined. The lows reach further. The highs extend without adding harshness often associated with extension. Again the soundstage is accurate, and the mids have a wonderful presence. There is simply more definition and content in this preamp. Like the T8 there is no "tube sound" even though we use tubes in the circuit.

Last weekend I installed the new tube/FET preamp in my system. Along with the preamp, I have the new U70 tube amp and an AVA DAC all driving a set of Alon II speakers. I sat and listened to some of the reference material that I use when evaluating systems in my home. As I have reported earlier, the U70 is an amazing amp that has sound reproduction not often found in most hi-fi amps, let alone tube amplifiers. When I put the new preamp in I was expecting a nice improvement, but what I got was a major improvement! I never knew that a 30+ Watt power amplifier could deliver so much sound, with such accuracy, and with such definitive lows. I have yet to try the preamp with my FetValve power amp, but my guess is that the FV amp will be even better yet.

I hope the information helps. It's often hard to put into words what one "feels" when hearing new things.

Thanks for your questions!

Larry

WEEZ · « **Reply #34 on:** 21 Jul 2005, 11:38 pm »

Thanks again, Larry.

I realize I asked a subjective question

....

Sounds like maybe the T-9 (T-7 'revised') has maybe more resolution than the T-8? Is that a fair statement? Please- I'm not trying to split hairs but I guess I'm curious as to whether the T-8 might sound slightly more 'relaxed' than the T-9 (T-7 'revised') ?

You pointed out that neither have a "tube-sound". I take that to mean 'no classic 'toob'-sound'- and that's as it should be, IMHO

.

Any further comments would be appreciated

WEEZ

avahifi_lj · « **Reply #35 on:** 22 Jul 2005, 04:22 pm »

Quote from: WEEZ

Thanks again, Larry.

I realize I asked a subjective question ....

Sounds like maybe the T-9 (T-7 'revised') has maybe more resolution than the T-8? Is that a fair statement? Please- I'm not trying to split hairs but I guess I'm curious as to whether the T-8 might sound slightly more 'relaxed' than the T-9 (T-7 'revised') ?

You pointed out that neither have a "tube-sound". I take that to mean 'no classic 'toob'-sound'- and that's as it should be, IMHO .

Any further comments would be appreciated

WEEZ

Hi:

You hit the nail on the head. Yes, the new preamp has more resolution than the T8, and yes the T8 is a bit more "relaxed" than the new preamp. The T8 does, however, have more resolution than the T5, T6 and T7 preamps.

For those wanting the older "toob" sound they probably would find both lacking. We do have the Dyna PAS rebuilds that are much more softer sounding, but naturally you would need to have a PAS to upgrade.

Larry

WEEZ · « **Reply #36 on:** 22 Jul 2005, 05:10 pm »

You have answered my questions very well. Thanks!

WEEZ

WEEZ · « **Reply #37 on:** 22 Jul 2005, 11:43 pm »

Hey Charles-

Your post about the Stromberg Carlson 'suitcase' record player reminded me of a record player I listened to as a kid in the 50's.

My dad had this little RCA 45rpm record changer that had a black plastic case- maybe 15" square by about 9" tall that fit into a leatherette carrying case. It was a self contained mono amp/speaker/record player. It was a tubed unit and I will never forget the way it 'smelled' when it got warmed up

.

I sorta had 'ownership' of this device 'cause dad 'upgraded to a Magnavox console stereo for the living room

and I got to play my records in my room. Stuff like Elvis; Danny and the Juniors; Little Richard; and stuff like that. Later came the Beach Boys

!!

(Sorry Frank and Larry, for posting such drivel..). Your customers and potential customers (at least some or us) have been at this hobby for a long long time

WEEZ

Charles Calkins · « **Reply #38 on:** 23 Jul 2005, 12:53 am »

Yo Weez!!!
My era was the Weavers. Remember them? Elvis,Little Richard. Danny and the juniors were in the future for me.

Cheers
Charlie

avahifi_lj · « **Reply #39 on:** 23 Jul 2005, 02:54 am »

That's okay, I seem to remember the above mentioned artists too

Larry