Promitheus TVC passive preamp anyone?

Paul_Bui · « **Reply #1380 on:** 31 Mar 2007, 10:59 pm »

Quote from: rollo on 31 Mar 2007, 10:36 pm

OK guys, here we go. The clear transparent and pure sound of the passive alone is pleasing to say the least. With the addition of the buffer there is just more there there. The sound is BIGGER, FULLER more authoritative . A much larger sound stage with more 3D imaging. Tonality and harmonic structure remain the same as with the TVC alone.
The buffer just enhances what the TVC does and does well. Remember the difference over your previous preamp. Well be prepared to be shocked again.
Without sounding like a pompous ass, unless you [ in general] have had the pleasure of listening to a CJ Act2 , AR Ref. 2, Wytech Opal, Mark Levenson Ref, Loesch & Wiesner, or the like in your system you are not going to appreciate where I am coming from. I did not want to use this analogy before as not to insult anyone, however Class "A" is Class "A" for a reason.
The TVC alone is an excellent piece, with the buffer it is stellar. Can we live without the buffer, yes we can. When you hear what the buffer brings to the table with the TVC IMO there is no going back. The combo is that good.
To date the TVC is installed before the buffer as Nicholas reccommends. I have not tried the reverse as of now. When it breaks in 100% I'll give it a go.
The Energizer as well expanded the sound with a dead quite background. The bass is utterly explosive and even more focused than before which is unbelievable to me.
GHM if you are reading this , please shed some input as to your findings with the Energizer in place. Am I nuts altogether or a happy customer?

rollo

Rollo, now you're taking, and that makes me excited. Did I say someday I will try Nick's active tube pre?

rollo · « **Reply #1381 on:** 2 Apr 2007, 07:11 pm »

Roadshow is under way. If you would like to participate please email me. The TVC is the Ref. Dual Mono single box with silver internal wiring.

rollo

GHM · « **Reply #1382 on:** 3 Apr 2007, 01:43 am »

Quote from: rollo on 31 Mar 2007, 10:36 pm

Quote from: Randy on 30 Mar 2007, 08:24 pm
rollo, you'll have to fill us in a little more as to what the active pre adds to the sound of the TVC, because, I tell you what, it's hard to conceive what can be improved on the pure, transparent, clear, and detailed sound I get from my system during daylight hours here. (When the sun goes down, the sound of my system deteriorates considerably because the electricity becomes very noisy.) I have plenty of volume, plenty of bass, (I sold my subwoofer), and I nothing to complain about. One thing, I can't use my old phono preamp with the TVC, not enough gain I guess.

Randy,
OK guys, here we go. The clear transparent and pure sound of the passive alone is pleasing to say the least. With the addition of the buffer there is just more there there. The sound is BIGGER, FULLER more authoritative . A much larger sound stage with more 3D imaging. Tonality and harmonic structure remain the same as with the TVC alone.
The buffer just enhances what the TVC does and does well. Remember the difference over your previous preamp. Well be prepared to be shocked again.
Without sounding like a pompous ass, unless you [ in general] have had the pleasure of listening to a CJ Act2 , AR Ref. 2, Wytech Opal, Mark Levenson Ref, Loesch & Wiesner, or the like in your system you are not going to appreciate where I am coming from. I did not want to use this analogy before as not to insult anyone, however Class "A" is Class "A" for a reason.
The TVC alone is an excellent piece, with the buffer it is stellar. Can we live without the buffer, yes we can. When you hear what the buffer brings to the table with the TVC IMO there is no going back. The combo is that good.
To date the TVC is installed before the buffer as Nicholas reccommends. I have not tried the reverse as of now. When it breaks in 100% I'll give it a go.
The Energizer as well expanded the sound with a dead quite background. The bass is utterly explosive and even more focused than before which is unbelievable to me.
GHM if you are reading this , please shed some input as to your findings with the Energizer in place. Am I nuts altogether or a happy customer?

rollo

Sorry for the late reply guys. I've been tied up with re ripping my CDs and learning how to get the most out of the PC audio thing.

Ah..the Energizer. Well Rollo pretty much said it all from what I've experienced so far. My friend here in town didn't want to return the darn thing. It does suck up some juice . I unplugged it for a few weeks. My power bill dropped $10 or $15.

I noticed slight differences in my system verses my friend. As I switch out and move around components. ..evaluating it isn't easy.

I plan to experiment a bit more with this unit as I get more time. After my ears adjust to the USB+Paradisea I will report back.

Hey Rollo can I get on the list too?....Just kidding!

Good listening

rollo · « **Reply #1383 on:** 3 Apr 2007, 09:25 pm »

GHM,

You can be on any list you desire. With out YOU it would have taken some time to learn about the availability of the TVC. You are the man.

rollo

mihilli · « **Reply #1384 on:** 3 Apr 2007, 10:25 pm »

The buffer is shown on the Promitheus web site but there is no price. I sent an email a couple days and have yet to get a response.

So can someone tell me the price of the buffer?

Thanks

robert1325 · « **Reply #1385 on:** 4 Apr 2007, 08:11 am »

Last time I asked, the price was 550 incl. shipping ,

That DAC looks very interesting, good price

anubisgrau · « **Reply #1386 on:** 4 Apr 2007, 12:20 pm »

Quote from: robert1325 on 4 Apr 2007, 08:11 am

Last time I asked, the price was 550 incl. shipping ,

That DAC looks very interesting, good price

the DAC is ready

????

jaspal kallar · « **Reply #1387 on:** 4 Apr 2007, 02:10 pm »

Quote from: anubisgrau on 4 Apr 2007, 12:20 pm

Quote from: robert1325 on 4 Apr 2007, 08:11 am
Last time I asked, the price was 550 incl. shipping ,

That DAC looks very interesting, good price

the DAC is ready

I don't see the price on the website for the DAC , how much is it?

- jaspal

PromitheusAudio · « **Reply #1388 on:** 5 Apr 2007, 01:29 am »

Here is the picture of the DAC main board with its separate power supplies

Busy with the new dac and the active preamp and stuff,

Here is the picture of the main board without the nickel pulse trans and output trans and power trans

There are 3 gain settings for these
1.25 volts, 2.2 volts and 4 volts

This way you can up the gain if your power amp has insuffice gain or lower the gain if you have too much.

Needed to add this flexibility to allow users to fine tune their gain structure without resorting to attenuators for the signal.

On the price for now its is going to be set at USD340+shipping. Weights about the same weight as the TVC.

Will post more pictures once i put all the trans together

Forgetten to mention, the DAC as its own asyn reclocking to 100Mhz. The Clock is place at the bottom of the pcb. Its is located at the bottom left of the PCB

PromitheusAudio · « **Reply #1389 on:** 5 Apr 2007, 01:49 am »

The DAC features

Our own nickel pulse transformer (this separates the ground thus resulting in a quieter music) to couple the digital output of your cdp into our DAC similar to AN DAC3 models and above

Dedicated pre and post regulator (for each chip) to bring down the noise floor

Specially wound Balanced power transformer to power DAC, this is the same winding topology as our balanced power supply. This further brings down the noise floor. The power transformer is wound on a M6
core

Dedicated windings on the power transformer for the digital power supply and the analog power supply.

This is NOT shared to prevent the transfer of digital noise to your precious analog power supply.

The power transformer is fitted with MULTIPLE electrostatic shields to prevent the spreading of the noise cause by digital circuits. This electrostatic shields shunt noise to ground thus keeping the power supply clean

Asynchrous reclocking to 100Mhz. Clock module is place below the PCB to prevent spraying the board with noise. The clock module is located at the bottom left end of the PCB

Selectable gain structure of 1.25volts out, 2.2volts out and 4 volts output. This allows user to optimize their gain structure.

On the output, output transformers is used to couple the analog voltage from the DAC to the outside world. This way the DAC is impedance match to your down line equipment. This output transformer is wound on a M6 core

NewBuyer · « **Reply #1390 on:** 5 Apr 2007, 07:52 am »

Nicholas this DAC is looking fantastic. Will those DAC output transformers interact or interfere with the transformers in the TVC?

anubisgrau · « **Reply #1391 on:** 5 Apr 2007, 08:37 am »

well all i can say is the configuration looks fantastic and definitely it will be a bargain for the price.
nick pls take some time to actually tune the DAC and get the absolute maximum from the design you implemented.
i am writing this because i found too many devices with a good design and layout at the end being flawed cause their designer followed rather a route of an engineer not a route of a listener. i think that charles altmann and what he is doing in terms of tweaking and tuning his products should be seen as a role model, taking a certain principle to absolute limits. in this matter i was a little critical of promitheus, i thought there is even a greater potential into it, but as the TVC was developing over the time, i am sure that the later version are much ahead of the earliers.
looking forward to hear the DAC - when do you expect you will start taking orders for the DAC?

anubisgrau · « **Reply #1392 on:** 5 Apr 2007, 08:39 am »

actually this news on promtiheus DAC distracted me from what i wanted to ask:

anyone here using altmann attraction DAC together with promitheus? do they like each other?

Piwi · « **Reply #1393 on:** 5 Apr 2007, 11:48 am »

Does anyone know something about the 6moons pre(re)view ? A month or so ago it was in the previews but haven't seen it since.

Say · « **Reply #1394 on:** 5 Apr 2007, 01:33 pm »

Quote from: Piwi on 5 Apr 2007, 11:48 am

Does anyone know something about the 6moons pre(re)view ? A month or so ago it was in the previews but haven't seen it since.

I am a new member on the forum. After reading most of the pages on this thread I got the bug and ordered a TVC (dual chasis, balanced, single ended). Look forward to sharing more with you all when the time comes (haven't received the unit yet).

btw, not sure about 6moons but the Promitheus Audio TVC Passive Transformer Volume Control is to be featured in a new edition of enjoythemusic. http://enjoythemusic.com/magazine/comingsoon.htm

davetroy · « **Reply #1395 on:** 5 Apr 2007, 01:40 pm »

I'm very interested in hearing comments about this DAC. Many months ago, before I owned the TVC, I tested a Theta DAC (used in conjuction with my Rotel CD player). The result: No difference at all. In fact, the Rotel might have actually sounded better without the DAC. I'm assuming that's because the on-board DAC in the Rotel was superior to the Theta DAC (which was a 1990s model)? I don't know. I'm assuming, too, that there would be no problem using the Promitheus DAC with the Rotel? That would simply mean I'd be using the Rotel as the transporter, correct?

gooberdude · « **Reply #1396 on:** 5 Apr 2007, 02:14 pm »

The Dac looks cool & the price is right aa

Has anyone tried the TVC in conjunction with any of the tiny budget T-amps?

Last night another AC member brought over a pair of A/D/S 210/2 monitors & his stock Trends T-amp. Powering the monitors via the Trends alone was cool, amazing what a few watts will do with an efficient speaker. Next, i ran Source>Tvc>Trends>monitors & left the TVC volume open 100%...just using the Trends' volume control.

the sound was insane, the first time musicians were plastered against my back wall....room boundaries simply didn't exist. With my cd player & Imod the volume knob was at about 70-80% up, with my TT we couldn't turn it past 40% or the windows would start rattling.

The quietness of the Trends amp is spooky. the combo of the Trends + TVC + 94db efficient speakers + powered stereo subs was bad-ass.

thanks again Anthony! After the Hawthorne Silver Iris' are up & running you have to bring that tiny amp & the speaks back over....

matt

robert1325 · « **Reply #1397 on:** 5 Apr 2007, 02:38 pm »

Interesting comment! I'll consider a TVC in the future then

TomekZ · « **Reply #1398 on:** 5 Apr 2007, 02:39 pm »

Had a similar experience with a Sonic Impact Super-T. With the Promitheus, a much weightier, fuller sound. Imaging too is more distinct...wonder why this occurs?

rollo · « **Reply #1399 on:** 5 Apr 2007, 02:41 pm »

Hey Matt,

If you think the Trends Amp sounded good. Try bi-amping with one per channel. If you have separate binding posts for bass and mid/hi you can try vertical bi-amp as well. The killer is [4] 2 per side. They are inexpensive enough.
rollo