Rediscovering the Clari t

smargo · « **on:** 19 Oct 2005, 07:45 am »

One reason i believe we buy and sell equipment - is in our ever trying pursuit of purchasing some mythical piece of audio hardware - we believe when we do find it, that it will perform miracles in our system, thus giving us permission to move onto other things like- enjoying music. The nuptuals of amplifier and speaker marriage is problably one of the harder things to get right in our hobby and privately causes more angst than we know.

Thus the quest ---- but what does that to do with the clari t - well, if you value musicality truly, and would like to listen to music rather than equipment - then, im hear to tell -- that it's safe.

I think what vinni should really do is make this piece of equipment his trademark above all others. Make revisions and perfect this amp. After spending at least 9 months with the the original clari t i can honestly say that it does hands down sound better than a lot of other stuff i have tried over the years and recently.

If you can get the clari t and preamp and the speaker right - this amp's balance of virtues inscribes itself in your heart like no other i have heard in recent memory. Im not talking about 94db and higher either. I heard the clari t with the omega grande 8's and the combination was as lifeless as could be. ( I think the grande's are wonderful though)

With my polk lsi15's they are musical as all hell. I'm also using a dared tube preamp which really was the whipped cream with the clari t - those of you who are still using ss preamps with the t you really need to hear it with a tube preamp and the RIGHT speakers.

It's really not about the power rarting with the clarit - it doesn't apply at all. Once the synergy is right - you again like listening to music.

It's only now that i've come to really fully appreciate the clari t - especially since it is so easy to forget how wonderful this amp really is especially with all the new stuff that comes out monthly and what is hot now, etc.

The amp really is a shining star - if you have a clar t and you have put it away in favor of something else - pull it out - charge it up - let it play for about 5 hours and then listen - don't give up on this amp until you can try different combinations - you will be rewarded a lot more than you think.

Just wanted to tell you this - because i have had the amp for a while.

Thanks,
smargo

tigzstudio · « **Reply #1 on:** 19 Oct 2005, 10:17 am »

what are your experiences with louder listening levels and resulting distortion? do you notice any? I like to listen quite loud sometimes, can the clari-t go quite loud without distortion?

JLM · « **Reply #2 on:** 19 Oct 2005, 10:31 am »

I'm not a headbanger, but with my 89 dB/w/m speakers the Clari-T primarily just runs out of gas, no real noticable clipping.

smargo · « **Reply #3 on:** 19 Oct 2005, 04:30 pm »

Quote from: tigzstudio

what are your experiences with louder listening levels and resulting distortion? do you notice any? I like to listen quite loud sometimes, can the clari-t go quite loud without distortion?

I can listen reasonably loud i mean within reason - my room is nice and spacious but well damped so im ok - but i don;t listen really loud anyway fo any length of time - i don't hear the distortion i sometimes get with low powered tubes if that's what you mean.

regards
smargo

Col_Zimka · « **Reply #4 on:** 19 Oct 2005, 05:47 pm »

System synergy is the goal we are all questing for. The Omega speakers that Smargo is refering to, were the Omega 6 R's with about 150 hours of light usage; mine. It was my fault for even comparing anything so soon. These Fostex drivers take probably 400 hours to fully break-in. They sound wonderful now. But that break-in period is why Louis ( the Omega god ) has chosen different drivers in his new speakers. As soon as Smargo switched from the Clari-T to one of his tube amps, the system sounded much better. I'd be very interested to try the Clari-T again w/ the Omega's. I'll be selling them soon, because I heard Louis' new Omega M5 speaker. Now that sounded wonderful. Its a 90dB, so maybe we have to wait for Vinnie's new higher current Clari-T.

On topic, the speakers have to fit the room and the amp, not always easy to achieve, but when the fit is right, you know it. I still think a higher dB speaker is best.

Cheers,

Col Zimka

Zero · « **Reply #5 on:** 19 Oct 2005, 06:30 pm »

Smargo,

What pre-amplifier are you using?

It is interesting that you should mention the Clari-T. It is perhaps the single best (all-around) amplifier I have ever owned, or listened to. This is not a broad statement claiming that all others are inferior as there is a lot I havent heard and a lot of variables that could have hindered those I do have experience with; bottom of the line though, is that the Clari-T just had that foot tapping draw without damning sacrifice anywhere else in the range.

Funny, I tried it with the Lsi-15's and wow - what a combination right there. Typically the LSi-15 is a damn-damn to get right due to its flabby bass response, but most of those ailments were cured within reason.

I told Vinnie that I would get his dual mono amplifier - that was 8 months ago. Sorry for the wait Vinnie, I have gotten caught up in a lot of ****. Once the clouds clear - I will treat myself to your gear.

Cheers!

Vinnie R. · « **Reply #6 on:** 19 Oct 2005, 10:56 pm »

Quote from: smargo

It's only now that i've come to really fully appreciate the clari t - especially since it is so easy to forget how wonderful this amp really is especially with all the new stuff that comes out monthly and what is hot now, etc.
..

Hi Smargo,

Thanks for your long-term follow up post! I really enjoyed reading it, and just read your email about upgrades/customization (I'll reply tonight). Just wait 'till you hear it all modded out...it gets sooo much better!

http://www.redwineaudio.com/Custom_Clari_T_Testimonials.html

Hi Col_Zimka,

Welcome aboard and thanks for your post. I agree about the Fostex drivers taking FOREVER to burn-in. The new Omega models (HempTones, Aperiodic 8s) break in a lot faster and they both sound remarkable with the Clari-T-Amp. In fact, Louie voiced these speakers with the Clari-T. However, the Super 3s are also a terrific match!

Regarding the M5s, we had them at RMAF and the Clari-T drove them pretty damn well, but the RWA modded Teac was an even better match when playing at loud levels. Those little speakers pack a serious punch for their size and have a pleasant, warmish tone. I'm sure they will gain popularity soon..

hi A6M-ZERO,

No rush, and thanks for maintaining your interest in the custom Clari-T. Whenever you are ready, I'll be ready to make you one

Thanks, guys!

smargo · « **Reply #7 on:** 19 Oct 2005, 11:03 pm »

Quote

As soon as Smargo switched from the Clari-T to one of his tube amps, the system sounded much better.

Your right col_zimka the 6's sounded glorious with the tube amp and it was only to bring about a point on sensitivity and impedance matches with the clari t - peace brother!

Thanks,
smargo

JLM · « **Reply #8 on:** 12 Jan 2006, 12:36 am »

Somewhat off topic, but didn't want to start a new thread:

Just got my Clari-T back from Vinnie's hot rod shop.

Previous options:
-2nd set of inputs
-mounted 2 mini-toggles to the front (power and input switches)

New options:
-2nd set of inputs
-mounted 2 mini-toggles to the front (power and input switches)
-standard shunt pot replaced with Alps 10K (less power loss, more useable range to better match the SB3 output)
-Auricaps
-Black Gates
-minor resistor change to squeeze just a bit more power out for my 89 dB/w/m speakers

Result:
-WoW!!
-improved inner detail
-more power
-bigger, more solid bass
-can't wait for it to break in

System:
-Ikea nightstand used as a rack
-RWA fully modded SB3
-Element Cable Twisted Pair II interconnects
-RWA Clari-T (as Vinnie said, this is the way it was intended to be heard)
-Cryo'd plenum rated single strand CAT5 speaker cables
-Bob Brines FTA-2000 speakers (mass loaded transmission line with single Fostex F200A driver)
-dedicated listening room as per Cardias recommendations (room treatments coming next)

Note that the F200A driver is pretty special (30- 20,000 Hz, no nasty thin sound or midrange emphasis that most extended range drivers exhibit).

gary · « **Reply #9 on:** 12 Jan 2006, 01:03 am »

I sent my Clari-T back to Vinnie a while ago to get the caps upgraded to Black Gates, and it was such a significant improvement that IMO no amp should be ordered without them. I don't have the Auricaps, probably should have got them though and it may go back soon for the upgrade.

Gary

gslashcpc · « **Reply #10 on:** 19 Feb 2006, 05:48 am »

I had a bad experience with a Clari-T purchased from a prior owner and had to send it to Vinnie before his move.He said the circuit board was fried and I kept thinking about that burnt smell. Because I never heard the amp I wondered what to expect when Vinnie repaired it. Vinnie graciously honored the warranty and upgraded the volume control. Last night my wife and I had the pleasure of listening to Eva Cassidy, Katie Melua, Natalie Cole and more and the Clari-T and single driver speakers working together is something I hope to share with my friends. I was reminded at times of the "is it live or is it ......" commercial. I use the RWA Teac also and have appreciated the lack of listener fatigue which plagued me for many years....Thanks to Vinnie for his service and great products.

JLM · « **Reply #11 on:** 19 Feb 2006, 11:03 am »

gslashcpc,

Wow, thanks for breaking the ice (first post at the RWA site in a week!).

I can understand Vinnie's "need" to sell to a price point, but I agree with Gary. The "standard" Clari-T should include Auricap and BlackGate options and if you don't want them Vinnie could discount.

Vinnie R. · « **Reply #12 on:** 19 Feb 2006, 04:53 pm »

Hi gslashcpc,

Thanks for posting your feedback, and I'm glad to hear that you are enjoying Clari-T (a highly modded Clari-T at that!

)

Hi JLM and all,

Sorry for not posting in a while. I have been EXTEREMLY busy with designing the new Clari-T Signature-30 (more details to follow soon enough!) and doing lots of mods and custom Clari-T orders.

Quote from: JLM

Wow, thanks for breaking the ice

I don't sell ICE amps

Sorry, I couldn't help myself. I need to get out more....

lonewolfny42 · « **Reply #13 on:** 19 Feb 2006, 05:02 pm »

Quote

I need to get out more....

Chris[/list:u]

Vinnie R. · « **Reply #14 on:** 19 Feb 2006, 05:07 pm »

Quote from: lonewolfny42

Quote
I need to get out more....
....Might be hard to do Vinnie....your in Hidden Pines Circle.....
[/list:u]
Good luck at the new place.... [/list:u]
Chris[/list:u]

Thanks, Chris!

I asked my wife when we moved, "so where are the
pine trees?" She laughed and said, "that's the whole point...they are hidden!"

It is all making sense now!

Dmason · « **Reply #15 on:** 19 Feb 2006, 07:17 pm »

Vinnie

Congrats on the feedback. (the positive feedback that is.) Another anecdote indicating the level of service Vinnie provides to his customers is that provided even when they are NOT his customers, but his product owners. THAT is True Professionalism. Kudos to Vinnie for being a True Professional.

I cannot wait for the new Clari-T 30 watter. If I like it as much as I imagine I will, I will definitely be sending it in for more extensive mod's, some of which I already have in mind.

I see the new 30 Clari-T as the perfect power complement to my upcoming design, which uses a Fostex F200A to its full capability, adds ~3db room gain, and measures pretty flat to about 26Hz .. a real cracker, yet slender and highly WAF, it is designed as the logical evolution of loads such as the Bob Brines TL, and I will make plans available to those wishing to upgrade to the tentatively named, "DeepStar." I am also contemplating a DeepStar/Clari-T value laden package for those who might wish to pursue this outstanding pairing, and plans available to those who may wish to "upgrade" their Brines TL.