Promitheus TVC passive preamp anyone?

Paul_Bui · « **Reply #1520 on:** 22 Apr 2007, 11:51 am »

Quote from: pardales on 21 Apr 2007, 05:13 am

Anyone have the Promitheus DAC yet?

Any Atlmann owners out there using a TVC?

It took a few hours but I slogged through most every page in this thread. Fun ride. Thanks, I think

Hi,

I'm here, I'm here. Yes, I first got an Altmann DAC and lately the TVC joined the team of my components. Together with the Audio Sector Patek they sound like nothing in between the music and you. That is, it's absolutely quiet, no hiss not even a fainted trace of hum or noise floor. When the music plays, you don't believe such music is coming out from a no-tube, no subwoofer system. Dynamic, fast, lush not overly warm, PRaT, extended yet sweet highs, the list goes on.

jaspal kallar · « **Reply #1521 on:** 22 Apr 2007, 12:32 pm »

Quote from: Paul_Bui on 22 Apr 2007, 11:51 am

Quote from: pardales on 21 Apr 2007, 05:13 am
Anyone have the Promitheus DAC yet?

Any Atlmann owners out there using a TVC?

It took a few hours but I slogged through most every page in this thread. Fun ride. Thanks, I think

Hi,

I'm here, I'm here. Yes, I first got an Altmann DAC and lately the TVC joined the team of my components. Together with the Audio Sector Patek they sound like nothing in between the music and you. That is, it's absolutely quiet, no hiss not even a fainted trace of hum or noise floor. When the music plays, you don't believe such music is coming out from a no-tube, no subwoofer system. Dynamic, fast, lush not overly warm, PRaT, extended yet sweet highs, the list goes on.

What version of the Altmann DAC have you? I know there's the standard model at 750 Euros and then some add on's, hence my question.

- jaspal.

pardales · « **Reply #1522 on:** 22 Apr 2007, 01:20 pm »

I have the all the options (sample rate, optical input, JISCO). www.mother-of-tone.com

Whitese · « **Reply #1523 on:** 22 Apr 2007, 02:07 pm »

jeeez, that BYOB stuff like the amp and DAC are expensive....

pardales · « **Reply #1524 on:** 22 Apr 2007, 02:52 pm »

I think the JISCO is a very important option to have on the Altmann--it makes the DAC compatible with any transport you throw at it (traditional or computer). The other options are relative to your system needs.

Value is, well, somewhat relative.

Sorry if this if off topic for this thread. I asked about Altmann users to see if anyone was using a TVC with the Altmann BYOB amp.

tanchiro58 · « **Reply #1525 on:** 22 Apr 2007, 04:07 pm »

Quote from: Paul_Bui on 22 Apr 2007, 11:51 am

Quote from: pardales on 21 Apr 2007, 05:13 am
Anyone have the Promitheus DAC yet?

Any Atlmann owners out there using a TVC?

It took a few hours but I slogged through most every page in this thread. Fun ride. Thanks, I think

Hi,

I'm here, I'm here. Yes, I first got an Altmann DAC and lately the TVC joined the team of my components. Together with the Audio Sector Patek they sound like nothing in between the music and you. That is, it's absolutely quiet, no hiss not even a fainted trace of hum or noise floor. When the music plays, you don't believe such music is coming out from a no-tube, no subwoofer system. Dynamic, fast, lush not overly warm, PRaT, extended yet sweet highs, the list goes on.

In my opinion, it depends on each system that the Altman products (DAC) can be matched into. I have been trying at least 10 DACs in system most of them were not matched with my system but only the MHDT is a NOS 1543 DAC chip is very synergistic after it had been modded. I can add with or without subwoofer to the system the music is still getting better and better after both the SB3 and the DAC had been installed with pulse transformers.

Friend of mine told me that he has the same excellent results (modded SB3 and modded Paradisea) with his three different versions of TVCs (stereo, dual mono and dual mono reference).

Paul_Bui · « **Reply #1526 on:** 24 Apr 2007, 02:58 am »

Quote from: pardales on 22 Apr 2007, 01:20 pm

I have the all the options (sample rate, optical input, JISCO). www.mother-of-tone.com

Mine is the same, a "full-monty" Altmann DAC.

PromitheusAudio · « **Reply #1527 on:** 24 Apr 2007, 01:19 pm »

Quote from: Say on 16 Apr 2007, 02:50 pm

The reviews keep coming in. Soon Stereophile and HiFi+. Congrats Nick.

Yes we are very happy with the reviews but I am very adamant on trying to maintain our current pricing even with the good reviews. But stuff like shipping cost, copper and silver price going up thus increasing our cost can’t be avoided

Nicholas

PromitheusAudio · « **Reply #1528 on:** 24 Apr 2007, 01:30 pm »

Here are some pics of our DAC, that some of you have requested

http://www.promitheusaudio.com/dac.htm

rollo · « **Reply #1529 on:** 25 Apr 2007, 11:06 pm »

The DAC is looking good. The features are first rate. This is $340. I hope you have stock this looks like its gonna fly out the door.

Good luck
rollo

jaspal kallar · « **Reply #1530 on:** 26 Apr 2007, 08:25 pm »

Quote from: rollo on 25 Apr 2007, 11:06 pm

The DAC is looking good. The features are first rate. This is $340. I hope you have stock this looks like its gonna fly out the door.

Good luck
rollo

A while back I think Nick called for 'beta' testers of the DAC. Did anybody participate in this and if so did you already have the TVC?

- jaspal.

ferenc_k · « **Reply #1531 on:** 26 Apr 2007, 08:54 pm »

Quote from: pardales on 21 Apr 2007, 05:13 am

Anyone have the Promitheus DAC yet?

Any Atlmann owners out there using a TVC?

Today I got my Ref5 TVC with the ebony pot and brass plate options and I have an Altmann DAC and a BYOB amp as well. So I connected the TVC between the two, using small Yamamoto ebony feet and Acrolink cables. Even right out of the box the sound is very promising. The famous Altmann tone, fluidity and rhythmic capability did not change at all, the quiteness is the same, but the sound is a bit more punchy which is really entertaining. So it is looking good.

acd483 · « **Reply #1532 on:** 27 Apr 2007, 12:43 pm »

oh my that sounds like a tempting trifecta of tone!

as for the beta-testing, I was willing, but it never materialized for me.
I was excited to put it up against my solid state MHDT labs constantine.

goldlizsts · « **Reply #1533 on:** 27 Apr 2007, 03:03 pm »

Quote from: Whitese on 22 Apr 2007, 02:07 pm

jeeez, that BYOB stuff like the amp and DAC are expensive....

Indeed, just checked it out, it's pricey, the basic CD version $750 EUR? Does anyone know how the Altmann would compared with a say $400 non-oversampling DAC made in China/Hong Kong? How much is the lower-priced China/HK one give off in performance? Half as good only?

I am considering a HK-designed-and-made DAC for $350, that's why I'm curious.

Nels Ferre · « **Reply #1534 on:** 27 Apr 2007, 04:40 pm »

A question for those who have had the TVC long term:

Does it ever stop breaking in? I probably have 600 plus hours on mine. It just seems to get better and better. The depth of image has improved greatly, and it was no slouch before.

gooberdude · « **Reply #1535 on:** 27 Apr 2007, 05:08 pm »

Mine is still changing a bit, had it since October...probably has well over 1000 hrs. Once you pass 6 months the changes get real slight though. the Promi TVC is a gift that keeps on givin'.

aren't transformers supposed to last for decades?? isn't there about 10x more wire in a tranny than in a power cord?

don't most new powercords take a month to sound right???

0 - 400 Hrs was a bit dreary with the TVC, since then its been a raging party with lots of chicas.

Nels Ferre · « **Reply #1536 on:** 27 Apr 2007, 05:29 pm »

Quote from: gooberdude on 27 Apr 2007, 05:08 pm

0 - 400 Hrs was a bit dreary with the TVC, since then its been a raging party with lots of chicas.

Matt,

You scare me. If I was having "raging parties" with lots of "chicas" I wouldn't be concerned with my hi fi. aa

On the other hand I have one "chica", enough for me. She's a good lady, and doesn't give me s**t about my system/music. She actually enjoys when I put something new on the system.

If she only liked Tull...she would be perfect.

gooberdude · « **Reply #1537 on:** 27 Apr 2007, 05:41 pm »

C'mon Nels, don't you know that chics dig bad-ass stereos??!! Tull or no Tull.

I'm at the point in my life where i've given up on proper english...analogies, metaphors, synonyms, exaggerations - i run them all together for effect.

its when i 'tell it like it is' that makes people scared.

matt

rollo · « **Reply #1538 on:** 27 Apr 2007, 05:45 pm »

I have about 1500 Hrs on the Dual Mono TVC and yes like the EverReady Bunny it just keeps on giving. As Nels commented the soundstage, especially the depth has improved a great deal over time. So hang in there men it will not disappoint it just gets better day by day on the good ship Promitheus. I have not put my Reference Preamp back in the system as a line stage. It is now a very expensive dedicated phono stage. With the addition of Promitheus Preamp to the mix I am not changing a thing for a long time.

rollo

rayd · « **Reply #1539 on:** 28 Apr 2007, 02:02 pm »

Wow! Talk about quick delivery - less than 3 weeks. Got my TVC Ref 1 last night and just got it hooked up this morning with Nick's silver IC's and ebony feet (and ebony knob

). Kudos to Nick and his people for wonderful and careful packaging! (Also a tip of the hat to DHL for placing a plastic bag I left for them on the package as it was raining out while I was at work)

First off, I am surprised at the heft, build quality, and solidity of the TVC. I was expecting something a lot lighter but it has some weight to it. The IC's are also well made and professional looking as are the ebony feet. One small nit is with the brass couplers - the edges just need to be deburred a bit more so as not to scratch the surface they are lying on - they are a bit sharp. I took a small file to mine to turn the edges down a bit. That's it for complaints though

Initial impressions are very positive. This unit is quiet - black quiet. Prior, I would hear a minor hum about 1-2 feet away from my speakers between amp & source. After adding the TVC, this has been reduced. I need to get within a few inches to hear it. Nice! I'm using the direct (front) inputs on my Decware Select amp and get wonderful volume at the 12:00 position. This is about my normal listening level. By 2:00, we were getting into party db levels so it's nice to know I have some more juice in there. I feel a bit of the emotion and air is pared down a bit - but am not worried

I know this needs to break-in. I do like what's coming out. I immediately noticed a greater spearation between instruments and hearing more detail emerge from the recordings. I was a bit taken aback upon listening to "Prologue" from Loreena McKennitt's - The Book of Secrets. There's a low drum part that really popped out that I really didn't notice was there before. Nice surprise!

Well, that's it for now. Only 1+ hours of burn-in and this thing is a keeper!

- Ray