[Charles Calkins]

Hi Guys:

 I've had my T7ECR for about two weeks and I thought that now would be a good time to express my opinions on it versus my C.J. PFR.

 First off let me try and say what I feel about Each Preamp. Advantages and disadvantages.

 Gain:



 The C.J. has more gain. As an example when the volume control on the C.J. is set to say a nine o'clock setting it has more gain than the T7ECR. At nine the C.J. is driving my NAD amps to over 100DB SPL in my listening room. The T7ECR at nine gets to about 90 or 94 DB SPL. Not a real big deal but something I think everybody should be aware of. As a result of this I think I have lost a little bit of bass. It seems to come back when the volume on the T7ECR is raised.

 Outputs and inputs:

 Both are about the same but the T7ECR has two audio outs and the C.J has only one. I like the option of two audio outs so in the future I will be able to add another amp or two.

 Remote control:

  The C.J. has a much better remote control. It is fully funciontial whereas the T7ECR has only volume and mute. Again no big deal but I would like to see Frank at least put a LED on the T7ECR face plate so we can see when the mute is engaged.

  Sound comparison:

 Yesterday and today I spent a lot of time switching cables between the preamps and doing a lot of CDplayer playback. I was looking for some sound or something that would sway me one way or the other. In my honest opinion I really can't tell much difference. The C.J. seems to have more bass punch whereas the T7ECR seems to be more sensitive. By that I mean the T7ECR hears instruments or notes in the backround and makes them more audible.

 Conclusion:

 Somewhere I read that Larry gave the new preamps a WOW!! Well I would have to say a maybe it is the best out there.
 In 1990 frank issued a challange to audio cable makers. If they would send him their cables he would evaluate them compared to his "crusty old Radio Shack cables" Kimber Kable sent him a bunch of cables for comparison. The results were that in an A-B comparison gave no "Better" results.  However Frank says "Then why am I using Kimber Kables?"
 He wrote that "Because when all the formal tests were done I went ahead and installed the Kimber Kables from input to outputof both channels of my reference system and simply went back to relax and listen to the music and that is when I started to"hear something" or more appropriately "not hear something"Everything sounded the same.but everything sounded a tiny bit closer to live real music" This article is avaible on Frank's website under newsletters.

 I guess that Frank's evaluation of the cable comparison is the way I feel about the T7ECR "It just makes things sound better"

            Cheers
            Charlie

[WEEZ]

Hi Charles,

Thanks for the comments re: the T-7.

My only comment would be that the gain is likely similar between the two pre-amps- but the taper of the volume pots are different. I think I read that the AVA pre-amps have 20db of gain in the line stage- which is quite high compared to many. The CJ has 18db of gain- ( I think..)

Glad you're enjoying the T-7!

WEEZ

[Charles Calkins]

weez:

  C.J. says it has 20db of gain.

  Cheers
  Charlie

[skrivis]

weez:

  C.J. says it has 20db of gain.

  Cheers
  Charlie

Based on my experience, AVA preamps will drive any amps out there as well or better than other preamps. The position of the marker on the volume knob is cosmetic more than anything else. The key question would be - will both preamps drive the amp to the same volume level?

[Charles Calkins]

Hi Guys:
 Frank sent me an email regarding a "Running hot" problem with the T7ECR preamp. Mine did not run hot but to play it safe he wanted me to send it back to him for upgrades and repairs to the "Running hot' situation.
 I got it back early Monday afternoon and since then I've been drinking Martini's and listening to CD's. I haven't a clue as to what he did to it but the results are phenomenol. As you can see in my first post regarding the T7ECR versus my trusty old C.J. PFR I thought things were just about the same. The T7ECR did make things sound somewhat better. Now there is no comparison!! the T7ECR clearly outshines the C.J.PFR. All of us have different tastes when it comes to music. I like smooth jazz. Mi Amigo Carl likes heavy rock. I'm sure you all get the picture. So everybody has their own opinion. In my case I've been listening to a song by Carol J. Toca. the title is "I'm yours" (Don't I wish) Obviously Carol is the main vocalist and that's the way it should be. So let's call this a "test song". Within this song Carol is backed up by other vocalists. Not all the time but in certain passages. When I play this CD song through the C.J. PFR I get the impression that there are vocalists in the backround but I'm not really sure. Playing through the T7ECR I can clearly hear the back up vocalists. They are there when they are supposed to be! I guess all of you can guess that I am a very happy camper!  My next Buy will be one of Frank's Fet Valve amps. If it performs as well as the T7ECR I will be the happiest camper in the world!!

 Hey Guys!! Buy AVA gear !! Trust me you can't go wrong!!

                       Cheers
                        Charlie

[WEEZ]

Hi Charles,

It sounds like the audiophile terms like resolution apply to the T-7 (Ultra).

That is indeed, a good thing. The sound is still 'relaxed', though- right?

WEEZ

[Charles Calkins]

Weez:
 Yes the sound is very relaxed. Very smooth and detailed. I would say a little bit on the forward side. Personally I don't like a presentation where the vocalist is buried in the orchestra. The T7ECR puts the vocalist kind of up front where he or she should be.

                   Cheers
                   Charlie

[MarkM]

I was kind of thinking the T-8 is precisely the way you described the T7, a little bit on the forward side but not necessarily bright, extended on both extremes, oh ya!  

I will experiment with different tubes that I have(12AT7, have a set of Mullards in my box of tubes) should get some good listening time in this weekend.

Charlie, curious as to what kind of amp you are using?  

Hey, maybe we could get a group buy on Fet Valve amps.

[Charles Calkins]

MarkM:
  I have two Nad 218THX amps running in mono. I'm thinking that because the Nad's have such a great low end output I would like to keep them to run the woofers. When I get my new Fet Valve 550 EXR amp I'll use the second audio out of the T7EXR to drive it and use it to drive the mid/treble module. Might work great or might be a dud. If it turns out to be a dud then I'll use the Fet Valve amp to power everything. What do you think about this setup? I know it's been done before. Solid state amps driving the woofers and tube amps driving the mid/treble module with "very good results"

                          Cheers
                          Charlie

[MarkM]

Ah, you pulled the trigger and ordered the 550EXR.   Somehow my gut tells me that that is a stellar amp.

You should be fine biamping-as long as the gain is matched between the 2 amps.  From the reviews I have read, the 550EXR will have great bass extension.  Best part is you can try it both ways and go with what your ears tell you.  There are some very thorough reviews on the 550EX in the critics circle.  Just do a search if you have not stumbled across them.

I too am eyeing a 550EXR.  Keep us posted.

[Charles Calkins]

MarkM:
 Can't order an amp right now. I just got back from a vacation in San Diego with my daughter and her three little girls. My credit card co. will want $3100.00 on the first of october.
 Let's say that I'm their "Sugar Daddy" or would it be "Sugar Grandpa"
  Probably order the amp around november or december. Santa is coming to town and I'm sure he will bring me one.

 Yo MarkM!!!
  I can't find anything about the amp in the circle. I guess I'm entering the wrong info. HELP!!

                           Cheers
                           Charlie

[MarkM]

To find the reviews of the 550exr, go to search.  Key word is alstine, then in the drop down screen, search Critics circle.  I believe it is like one of the last selections.  

There are a couple of thorough reviews to get a feel how several people feel about AVA amps.

[WEEZ]

Thanks for posting your impressions of the AVA pre-amps. The more the merrier    (did I spell that right? merier, marier... )

WEEZ