[brosephus]

At Chairguy's and a few others suggestion, I went out and bought an ES1 onlin for $160. I plugged it in last night and have to say that it sounds phenominal right out of the box. My old reciever was a yamaha. I thought it lacked warmth and body. But, the ES1 has both. Using the dvd multi in for stereo music, my Paradigm Monitor 11's seem to have a body that they never did before, but they are also crystal clear! What more can you ask for? The thing that stands out the most for me, because I am a bass player is the clarity of the lower mid and higher bass frequencies. I've got this cd by The Mars Volta called "Frances The Mute" and I always thought the bass guitar was mixed a little too low. But with the ES1 the bass is clear and concise. Even through the multiple guitar tracks on the album. All I can say is WOW! Movies also sound amazing! Especially dialog. My center speaker is a Paradigm CC370 and this little guy sounds amazing matched up with with es1. Dialog is clear and realistic sounding. I could go on and on! Anyway, thanks Chairguy and others for your suggestions on getting this reciever. I can't wait to hear what it sounds like once its broken in!

[TheChairGuy]

brosephus,

As memory serves me, it might get worse before it gets better.  I remember liking it out of the box and liking it less several hundred hours later.  But, I never hated it.

Almost everybody has followed the same pattern with this little killer....great, then at various times good, then at about 200-250 hours you'll really dig it. But, the best news is that at about 300 hours the treble response extends out of nowhere. You'll really wonder how they do it for that price at 300 hours (2 weeks).

Then, and only then (300 hours) you will enjoy the full glory of this pint sized beauty.

Get some conditioning for it and it'll sound sweeter, still.

Great to hear your enjoying it!

[brosephus]

You know, I keep hearing everybody raving about the treble sounding better after 300 hours of use and I wonder electronically what exactly is going on that makes the treble open up so much. Is this a common characteristic of these digital amps? I don't understand.

p.s. Say I leave the reciever on fm radio few a few weeks at low volume to get it broken in. Would this be a good idea? Could it cause my receiver to overheat? Or, is there a better way to get it broken in?

[TheChairGuy]

That should break it in just right..monitor the heat.  Mine never got oveheated, others have , tho.

I have no idea why the treble opens up after 300 hours on that receiver.  On the F10, the break-in was not nearly as dramatic in any fashion - so I don't think it's characteristic with all 'digital' receivers. The F10 isn't as lovable and warm, but it drives difficult loads like no $200 receiver should.  The ES1sl crapped out driving the Maggies loud - and sounded bad most of the time even at low volumes. But, on my old Vandersteen 1c's and Linaeum Tower speakers - absolute bliss.

I think you're gonna be floored by the treble response at 300 hours.  Just before that you begin to think life couldn't get much better for $200...then the treble opens wide.  

Ooala at 300 hours, you got a tube amp that sounds better than any tube amp I've ever heard (price, be damned).  Solid lows, crystal clarity, scintilating highs, real tempo...with that wonderful see thru midrange intact.

Let us know!  

[fabaudio]

At Chairguy's and a few others suggestion, I went out and bought an ES1 onlin for $160. I plugged it in last night and have to say that it sounds phenominal right out of the box. My old reciever was a yamaha. I thought it lacked warmth and body. But, the ES1 has both. Using the dvd multi in for stereo music, my Paradigm Monitor 11's seem to have a body that they never did before, but they are also crystal clear! What more can you ask for? The thing that stands out the most for me, because I am a bass player ...

 I also just got an ES1SL to compare with my F10. Paid more though.    

 CHAIRGUY
 
 I purchased a 10ft pair of Paul Speltz anti-cables. Pretty amazing. They just get out of the way and let the MUSIC FLOW. It would be interesting to have your opinion on them compared to your Alpha Cores...hint hint.  

[fabaudio]

At Chairguy's and a few others suggestion, I went out and bought an ES1 onlin for $160. I plugged it in last night and have to say that it sounds phenominal right out of the box. My old reciever was a yamaha. I thought it lacked warmth and body. But, the ES1 has both. Using the dvd multi in for stereo music, my Paradigm Monitor 11's seem to have a body that they never did before, but they are also crystal clear! What more can you ask for? The thing that stands out the most for me, because I am a bass player ...

 I have a hunch you'd go deliciously insane hearing Brian Bromberg's "Wood" CD with your ES1. I just had an eargasm listening to it.

[TheChairGuy]

Fab,

I compared red jacketed, 13ga magnet wire to the Alpha-Core's and thought they fell short, overall.  Paul Speltz's stuff is 12ga...and has yucky spades to attach to each end.  How did you use it with spdes on the JVC spring clip terminals?

Overall, it didn't have the level of coherency and detail of the Alpha-Cores (especilly on the treble side of things)...tho it had many nice attributes.  It's all subjective I suppose, but the Alpha-Cores were my favorite of the many tested recently.  The magnet wire was the closest to it of all, tho.

I'd like to try multiple smaller gauge magnet wire...that might prove interesting.  Someday perhaps....

[fabaudio]

Fab,

I compared red jacketed, 13ga magnet wire to the Alpha-Core's and thought they fell short, overall.  Paul Speltz's stuff is 12ga...and has yucky spades to attach to each end.  How did you use it with spdes on the JVC spring clip terminals?

 I ordered them with bare ends. BTW I believe that's how Paul is currently using them.