Red Wine Signature 30 prototype pics

Vinnie R. · « **on:** 22 Mar 2006, 04:25 pm »

All,

As promised, here are some pics of the new Red Wine Signature prototype that will be in Montreal (powering the new Omega Super Hemps):

http://www.redwineaudio.com/Signature_30.html

This link will be updated after the show with more and more details

Thanks for taking a look,

Vinnie R. · « **Reply #1 on:** 22 Mar 2006, 04:48 pm »

I forgot to mention that the production units will have volume controlled subwoofer outputs, as discussed here:
http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=25932&start=0

COSMETICS:

How do you guys feel about the vertically mounted binding posts? Would it be better if they were arranged horizontally?

The text "Red Wine Audio" will probably be engraved a little smaller, and the location of the front machine screws will line up better with the "dimples" engraved around the volume knob (which is recessed a little into the face plate....very classy looking

). The volume knob is 2" diameter and has a very nice feel with the DACT stepped attenuator.

I also won't be using the gold nuts shown on the RCAs....the gold kind of doesn't look right on this because there is no gold anywhere else on the enclosure. Or am I being a tad too picky here?

For the remote control option, the remote sensor will be installed in the dimple at 12 o'clock, and the soft blue LED is mounted at 6 o'clock.

The enclosure is made entirely out of 1/4" aluminum plate (6 individual pieces) and is as solid as can be. The total weight of this amp will be approx 15lbs.

It is shown with a clear anodize (flat finish, not shiny), but I will be working on even more attractive finishing of the metal before anodizing.

Ideally, they will only be offered one way but I know I am going to get requests for black, I just know it!

Again...this is just a prototype to give everyone interested an idea what the Signature 30 will be.

Thanks again,

Vinnie

miklorsmith · « **Reply #2 on:** 22 Mar 2006, 04:59 pm »

That's really pretty, Vin. It might even look a TAD better than my modded Teac.

I like those binding posts better than the plastic-jacketed ones.

The vertical posts look like a good choice.

My system is trying for silver, so no need for the black.

If you want to send one to me for marketing purposes, I'll be glad to describe in painstaking detail the differences between this amp, the Clari-T, and the modded Teac on Zu Definitions and VMPS 626r's. Consider it a public service.

This looks like a mature product that gives nothing away to the "big boys". Kudos.

Mike

Dmason · « **Reply #3 on:** 22 Mar 2006, 05:55 pm »

Very nice indeed!! Congrats.... it reminds me ~alittle bit of the Musical Fidelity A300 from a few years ago, whose aesthetics I always really liked. The great news is that I already know the Signature is going to sound far sweeter than the MF stuff ever could. In fact, likely the polar opposite, from a musical standpoint, in my experience...

I am going to be very, very interested in what people hear using that new amp, with its PIO caps, its loads of current, into the mondo SuperHemps. The Hemps must win some sorta 8 inch single-driver award for plain ol' GRUNT, not to mention unreal timbral accuracy. ...Vino, --make sure you take something dynamic as hell with you to La Cite, like your Telarc "Firebird." Add some volume and the SuperHemps will sound more like a 12 or 15 inch driver, thanks to the wide baffle wavelaunch.... I see the Signature 30 with the SuperHemp as the current benchmark example of the synergy between WB drivers and T amps I experienced over three years ago.

Et, ...bon chances dans la Belle Province!!

gbeard · « **Reply #4 on:** 22 Mar 2006, 07:20 pm »

Very nice Vinnie!!

What's the MSRP or do you know yet?

I had verticle binding posts on my Berning ZH and with big ol' honkin' Cardas cables and spades they were a pain. However, they didn't have the amount of room yours look to have. The layout is very clean indeed.

Good luck to you and Louis in Montreal!

Gary

Zero · « **Reply #5 on:** 22 Mar 2006, 09:53 pm »

Awesome.. simply awesome

F-100 · « **Reply #6 on:** 23 Mar 2006, 12:26 am »

Quote from: Vinnie R.

How do you guys feel about the vertically mounted binding posts? Would it be better if they were arranged horizontally?

IMO, if you use banana plugs then it really doesn't matter.
But with vertical orientation and using spade plugs, you have to apply a lot of torque to tight those terminal posts otherwise the speaker cable may sag from the weight of the cable.

So my vote is for horizontal layout.

roymail · « **Reply #7 on:** 23 Mar 2006, 12:36 am »

Beautifully simplistic... I like it! But what's under the hood matters most, and I'm confident it will sound amazing! The combo with the SuperHemps will be some serious competition for the big boys. Like Dmason, I can hardly wait for the reviews to start rolling in after the show. Have a safe and successful time in Montreal.

-- Roy

-Richard- · « **Reply #8 on:** 23 Mar 2006, 02:44 am »

Hi Vinnie,

YOUR TIMING IS PERFECT!!!

Thanks to your 30 highly skilled in-house engineers that you personally trained, you
were able to devote untold hours to the development of your new amp while
keeping up with the onslaught of demand for ClariT's, Lotus's, PuriT Passive Preamps,
Custom Dact Installations, modified iMods, Slim Sqeezeboxes, modified Teac's
and Lehmann Black Cube phono stages!!!!!!!!

Or is that strange rumor that you have actually been cloned a number of times
really true? No...no need to go into that here!

I am thrilled for you Vinnie, that you were able to have an example of your new
Signature 30 ready for the Montreal Show...

I know your new Signature 30 will be exactly the magic my new Super 3 Bipole's
will be thirsting for once they get here...Red Wine Audio is making history!!!!!!

AGAIN, GREAT GOOD LUCK IN MONTREAL!!!!!!!

Warmest Regards -Richard-

Gordy · « **Reply #9 on:** 23 Mar 2006, 03:36 am »

Superb Vinnie, you've a winning look there! I like the vertical posts, looks like there would be much more room for connections than with a horizontal layout.

As for 'tack'... Perhaps an option for more? Gold screws and selector switch(s)

A fairly large percentage of people will be looking/asking for black as an option I'd think... though it will tend to hide your logo...

Russell Dawkins · « **Reply #10 on:** 23 Mar 2006, 05:05 am »

I think it might look a little more interesting with mirror finish knob. Not gold - too Musical Fidelity - but polished aluminum or, better, chrome. This would also complement the 4 machine screws on the front which, I think, should be equidistant from both adjacent edges to look best.

I think that would be best accomplished by extending the face plate out further to the left and right, about 1/4" - 3/8" more. I think this would also improve the proportions of the face plate. I think reducing the size of "Red Wine Audio" by about 1/3 would also look good.

My vote would be for horizontally oriented binding posts, positioned toward the top so that stiffer speaker wires could bend up to them when spades were used.

All in the spirit of constructive criticism.

jkelly · « **Reply #11 on:** 23 Mar 2006, 06:16 pm »

I use spades and prefer horizontal layout.

Looking forward to this new amp.

Jeff

Paul_Bui · « **Reply #12 on:** 23 Mar 2006, 06:45 pm »

I agree with F-100, Russell and Jeff.

Congratulations, Vinnie.

Vinnie R. · « **Reply #13 on:** 28 Mar 2006, 02:55 pm »

All,

I really appreciate all your excellent feedback!

Looks like the horizontal placement of the binding posts is preferred, and I will see if I can raise them higher so stiffer cables do not bend too close to the bottom.

Quote

A fairly large percentage of people will be looking/asking for black as an option I'd think... though it will tend to hide your logo...

I can have the face plate black anodized and then engraved so the aluminum will show. Actually, the way it is now it needs to be more visible in that the aluminum front with the engraving makes it hard to read unless you are looking staight at it. This is the way is seemed to be at the show.

I have received a lot of comments from those who think that anodizing part of it a dark red would look good. Maybe the body in a dark red and the faceplate to be left aluminum? There are so many ways to go, and ideally I would find something that would appeal to as many people as I can. The silver and black finishes are the safe ones in that they are widely used and accepted, true?

I'd say the sound is where I want it to be, and the play time between charges is more like 24 hours

The enclosure is what needs to be finalized. I have also been considering a wooden enclosure, but there are so many wood finishes and who knows what would be the most popular?

Thanks again everyone for chiming in...

kbuzz3 · « **Reply #14 on:** 28 Mar 2006, 10:13 pm »

roughly?

Russell Dawkins · « **Reply #15 on:** 28 Mar 2006, 11:06 pm »

I've got it!

All except faceplate and maybe back panel anodized dark red, knob included .
Faceplate anodized black with engraved logo stained dark red to match body. This way the faceplate would closely match the design of your logo, which is a good-looking logo.
The very appearance of the faceplate would then be an extension of your logo.

This could be the "house look" for all similar products.

P.S. If you were willing to change your logo slightly, so that a cluster of grapes replaced the tilted wineglass, that is subtle enough to be put next to the name "Red Wine Audio" on the faceplate. That way the dots around the volume knob could be seen as grapes, if they were red (and it was late at night).
Alternately, at least go with a red power LED and buck this passing fancy for blue. I'm starting to get tired of it by now, anyway.

Russell

gary · « **Reply #16 on:** 28 Mar 2006, 11:35 pm »

I think it looks great, although I'm not a big fan of the cursive font. I'd probably go with something a little more recognizable.

Gary

onemug · « **Reply #17 on:** 29 Mar 2006, 12:27 am »

Hi Vinnie, I like the idea of dark red or burgundy for the majority of the surface. With it being your signature model and all, why not a nice wine color. BTW, I'm very happy with the burled walnut Lotus I got from you in January. I've been working 7 days a week and haven't had time to write up a nice evaluation of it. I did have fun with it on the Maggie 3.6s, but it usually stays partnered with Louis's A8.

ndpjr · « **Reply #18 on:** 29 Mar 2006, 12:41 am »

I really like the Signature-30 the way it is, but if you're going to have an option then I think a powder coated or anodized burgandy wine color would be nice. I just want one and I'm looking forward to any reports from the show about the Signature-30.

mca · « **Reply #19 on:** 29 Mar 2006, 02:20 am »

I think it looks nice as is. The important thing is to not get carried away with looks and have the price go way up. I'd rather have "all go and less show"