[maxwalrath]

Call me stupid (you'll have to get in line), but with all these options of plates, wires, knobs, transformers, etc. doesn't all this add up to producing and varying different colorations? 

I'm thinking the same thing.  GHM was great about lending me one, and I just picked up the used "basic" version from Wendell, but I'm holding off on buying a new unit until all these questions get sorted out.

[guest1632]

Call me stupid (you'll have to get in line), but with all these options of plates, wires, knobs, transformers, etc. doesn't all this add up to producing and varying different colorations?  As a purist and a "simplier the better" kind of audio-nut, that bugs me. 

Are the changes heard affecting imaging/soundstaging (or is it just frequency response)?  I know that midrange emphasis can be described as sounding "forward", so this can be a tricky call.  If I need to adjust the frequency response, wouldn't an equalizer make more sense (especially in the digital domain for those of us using digital sources)?

Hey JLM.

I think the issues here are a matter of fine tuning. This product is still in somewhat of a flux mode. I think this is where Nicholas is now looking for the ultimate TVC deluxe. For example, he recently found out that if rather than mount the switch to the front panel, if he mounts it on the base the TVC sounds better. Why? Who knows. The wiring is something that he is also playing with. But! ... I wouldn't let that discourage you. In any case, what you will be getting will be the best bang for the buck money spent. There are to many users on this thread that would agree with this fact.

The configuration that I'm gonna go for eventually, will be the dual controls, 4 inputs, chassis still up in the air, and 2 outputs. I will use the Silver RCA's, and not sure yet what wire gauge will be the best. Will probably get the steel chassis. It wohn't take much to dampen that at all. That's just 1 man's opinion.

Regards,
Ray

[JLM]

rollo,

My concession to "pure and simple" is digital sourcing as I refuse to be handcuffed to the limited vinyl selection and the associated pop/click/surface noise.  Even then I've owned a couple of battery powered DACs including the non-oversampling Ack dAck! v.2.

Actually I bought the Ah! Njoe Tjoeb 4000 CDP (used) as a temporary solution because it had a volume control and I didn't have a pre-amp (plus it gave me a chance to finally own something with tubes).  But the volume control only controls the "top half" of the volume range and so is useless in my situation (the system played way too loud), so I've swapped it out for my old Sony ES CDP that has a cheap variable output.  After I get a pre-amp in here I'll try swapping tubes and the upsampler.

This is our first full year in the new house, so we've got an idea now what the propane and property tax bills are like.  And wifey looks to be out of the woods after surgery at Mayo.  So hopefully I can move ahead and get a pre-amp soon. 


Ray,

The number of options now is mind-boggling, which is why partially I've been sitting on the sidelines.  But it does finally make me realize that all this tweaking ultimately is about changing the coloration of the sound.  I think everyone on this thread agrees that transformers improve the sound.

[Early B.]

I think some of us, including Nic, are getting too consumed in the TVC's tweakability factor. Every audio device can be tweaked. Forget about it and just enjoy the damn thing.

At some point very soon the manufacturer has to settle on the final product specs, take the TVC out of R&D mode and put the standard models (i.e., base and reference) in full production. If someone wants copper wire instead of silver, or any other "tweak," they should pay a premium for it or DIY. Better yet, don't even offer it as an option. For small shops, it increases costs and slows productivity which leads to diminished sales over time.

[Whitese]

I kind of agree with the last post...in my ears, I dont even bother thinking about tweakability, dampening the chasis, or whatever the the trannies are mounted on etc etc...

To me the fundamental design and sound quality of it is good enough to warrant the purchase. Thats where it ends with me.  I just cant allow myself to get inmersed in the super minute detail tweaking like different bases and cones and so on,,I even ordered the ebony knobs just for the looks....Without tweaking a thing, Nicks contraption sounds simply phenomenal, and his phono unit will be my next purchase..and to be honest,,one less switch and power cable is a good thing!..

[rollo]

Jlm,
        My point was that You purchased the CDP because it had the OPTIONS you were looking for.
         It appears Nichcolas has reached out for our opinions for upgrades to his design through our listening experiences.
         The only revisions to date the inclusion of a ref. model which uses silver RCA's and S/S top and bottom plates which was implemented because of shipping damage to the wood.The switches were revised to Grayhill to eliminate crosstalk in multiple input units.Certainly a step in the right direction.As far as the wiring is concerned[internal] I suggested copper for MY unit as I am not a big fan of silver.
I asked for this as an option which I would PAY FOR.
         When Nichcolas tried the copper wire he realized it had its benifits of better bass and midrange body sacrificeing some detail on top.So if your into detail and an upfront sound order silver if not order copper.The biggest improvement IMO will be the grounding of the trannies and RCA's to a ground post to eliminate hum that some users are experienceing.All in all an advancement for US the customer.
        AS far as tweaking the unit with footers,wood plinthes etc is fun for some of us,especially when the results are positive.
        I believe that the input from the owners has been an aid to Nichcolas in refining his product.Not like some of the big boys who spend on R&D and charge way too much for their product which you have to tweak anyway.Or better yet buy the revised model the next year for more money yet.
       Promitheus only raised its prices due to wire cost and the addition of the S/S plates[ref edtion].Could promitheus have done this from the start?Sure,but it would not be as much fun and probably more expensive.
        Almost forgot the Ebony knobs,at first they were a cosmetic offering but some owners noticed an improvement in sound[bat ears] who knew?So now if you wanmt to spend $30 each as an option you can.I don't know aboput better sound but they look real nice.
       I'll agree that simpler is better and the TVC is pretty simple.The trannies are the key and the rest compliments to the overall design.The trannies are what makes the TVC what it is and that ain't changing anytime soon.
       I hope your wife is coming along.My wife fought off cancer and is in remission now,i feel your pain and wish you guys ALL THE BEST.
       IF you dont have a preamp I could send you mine since a 2 box unit is being made as we speak.Emailme to work it out if you like.
rollo

[Whitese]

Hey Rollo, you are basically getting two mono units?  interesting as that would allow to have the shortest cable length between preamp and amp, and between speaker and amp if so desired...the only caveat is that the sources to pre cables would get longer...

I think the thread and all the opinions and stuff got in the way of the nitty gritty and its obvious that Nick isnt doing a Grover Hoffman cable and always have tremendous upgrades every few months...I wonder when would it end...I have his older UR6 cables and stopped there.
 

[Randy]

The only "tweak" that interests me is the balanced option, and I wouldn't have ordered one without it.  It could well be the one option that really makes a difference.  (On a whim, however, I did order the ebony knobs which haven't arrived yet.)

[analogmart]

Hi every one
Below is what Nicholas said to me with lastest Ref.4
Selector is not as same as shown in his web site.
 
"I found out that by mounting the selector to the front chassis the unit sounds better. Not sure why. But I believe it has got to do with vibration. The selector is not exposed to vibration pickup from the plate. This plate vibrates lightly via the transformer vibration when music is played. When music is played the core of the transformer energizes and vibrates according to the music pattern. This disturbs the selector. \

 The selector in the picture could not be fix to the main chassis and I had to use your current selector
Also the wood panel helps to dampen any vibrations in the selector switch
Have you tried out you unit yet?"

[guest1632]

Ray,

The number of options now is mind-boggling, which is why partially I've been sitting on the sidelines.  But it does finally make me realize that all this tweaking ultimately is about changing the coloration of the sound.  I think everyone on this thread agrees that transformers improve the sound.

Hi, If you stick to certain parameters for those options, they aren't as mind boggling as you might think. I would first determine what is is you want.

I'm going for the steel case, dual TVC controls, silver RCA's with 4 inputs and 2 outputs. The balanced or unbalanced stuff is your decision. I'd also go for the Ebony knobs, unless Nick has figured out a way to minimize the sound difference there. Anyhow, that's my configuration profile that I'm gonna get. So I'd go from there.

Regards,
Ray

[tanchiro58]

Hi,

I would go with SS Reference TVC with 2 pairs of silver inputs and 2 pairs of silver outputs (like Ray's comment). Nick told me the SS sounds much better than a wood one. I am a fan of hard woods but this time it is an exception since I believe what Nick experiences not only because he is a TVC builder but also he has tried to do better to satisfy his TVC consumers. I have purchased quite a lot of expensive mass and expensive audio productions but I have never satisfied my taste. Therefore, I keep upgrading my audio stuffs with reasonable prices that suit with my budget.

Tan

[rollo]

So here I go again,
                           Tweak #123232A Take the top cover off listen put it back on and listen again.If you HEAR a difference your a bat if you dont have a cocktail and keep listening until you do.The worst that could happen is you will feel real good until the morning.
       Just having some fun waiting for new Dual mono two box unit with copper wiring.If anyone in the tri-state area would like an audition in their system email me to arrange time and place.crollo1@nyc.rr.com
rollo

[guest1632]

So here I go again,
                           Tweak #123232A Take the top cover off listen put it back on and listen again.If you HEAR a difference your a bat if you dont have a cocktail and keep listening until you do.The worst that could happen is you will feel real good until the morning.
       Just having some fun waiting for new Dual mono two box unit with copper wiring.If anyone in the tri-state area would like an audition in their system email me to arrange time and place.crollo1@nyc.rr.com
rollo

Hi Rollo,

Well, I got Gymane's TVC. As usual, UPS must have thrown it around. One of the transformers was almost dislodged from its mounting spot. So I took the four caps that are on the top plate holding on the countersunk screws and put them on both transformers on the bottom of the case.

There were 2 wires that somehow had become disconnected from the left transformer. So after fixing the problem so that the selector switch can move freely. I hooked it up.

Hmmm, only 1 channel. Left one works. I had the top off and looked around and to my dismay, the wire on the top of the right transformer left side was attached to the transformer, but obviously not attached to the volume switch. Oh well, wanted to hear it anyway.

My system is an old Linn 75W amp, a IRDA "Purist" preamp, some Source audio .1's, and a cheap Protron DVD player that I picked up for $25 .

Well, I listened to Toni Bracksten Unbreak my Heart. (with only channel) Tell you what, she was almost kissable. I could hear the emotion in her voice that the IRDA "purist" just wants to think about. There was more definition in the bass. When I hooked up the Purist only on that 1 channel, the bass wasn't as well defined.

All I know is when I have the money, I want one! Even with 1 channel down, the difference was unfortunately obvious.

Well, sorry to be long winded, but that's my quick review of the TVC.
Regards to all,
Ray

[GHM]

So here I go again,
                           Tweak #123232A Take the top cover off listen put it back on and listen again.If you HEAR a difference your a bat if you dont have a cocktail and keep listening until you do.The worst that could happen is you will feel real good until the morning.
       Just having some fun waiting for new Dual mono two box unit with copper wiring.If anyone in the tri-state area would like an audition in their system email me to arrange time and place.crollo1@nyc.rr.com
rollo

Hi Rollo,

Well, I got Gymane's TVC. As usual, UPS must have thrown it around. One of the transformers was almost dislodged from its mounting spot. So I took the four caps that are on the top plate holding on the countersunk screws and put them on both transformers on the bottom of the case.

There were 2 wires that somehow had become disconnected from the left transformer. So after fixing the problem so that the selector switch can move freely. I hooked it up.

Hmmm, only 1 channel. Left one works. I had the top off and looked around and to my dismay, the wire on the top of the right transformer left side was attached to the transformer, but obviously not attached to the volume switch. Oh well, wanted to hear it anyway.

My system is an old Linn 75W amp, a IRDA "Purist" preamp, some Source audio .1's, and a cheap Protron DVD player that I picked up for $25 .

Well, I listened to Toni Bracksten Unbreak my Heart. (with only channel) Tell you what, she was almost kissable. I could hear the emotion in her voice that the IRDA "purist" just wants to think about. There was more definition in the bass. When I hooked up the Purist only on that 1 channel, the bass wasn't as well defined.

All I know is when I have the money, I want one! Even with 1 channel down, the difference was unfortunately obvious.

Well, sorry to be long winded, but that's my quick review of the TVC.
Regards to all,
Ray

Hey Ray... see if Nick can help you in finding what wire goes where. If you can get it fixed ..I'll let you have it for only $0.00. In other words for free . Maybe a couple of photos to him will make the process of elimination easier. I sure hate UPS treated my preamp like a step child! I wanted you to hear it running on all cylinders.

I'll just have to work on getting another one in the future.

All the best,
Gymane

[guest1632]

 

So here I go again,
                           Tweak #123232A Take the top cover off listen put it back on and listen again.If you HEAR a difference your a bat if you dont have a cocktail and keep listening until you do.The worst that could happen is you will feel real good until the morning.
       Just having some fun waiting for new Dual mono two box unit with copper wiring.If anyone in the tri-state area would like an audition in their system email me to arrange time and place.crollo1@nyc.rr.com
rollo

Hi Rollo,

Well, I got Gymane's TVC. As usual, UPS must have thrown it around. One of the transformers was almost dislodged from its mounting spot. So I took the four caps that are on the top plate holding on the countersunk screws and put them on both transformers on the bottom of the case.

There were 2 wires that somehow had become disconnected from the left transformer. So after fixing the problem so that the selector switch can move freely. I hooked it up.

Hmmm, only 1 channel. Left one works. I had the top off and looked around and to my dismay, the wire on the top of the right transformer left side was attached to the transformer, but obviously not attached to the volume switch. Oh well, wanted to hear it anyway.

My system is an old Linn 75W amp, a IRDA "Purist" preamp, some Source audio .1's, and a cheap Protron DVD player that I picked up for $25 .

Well, I listened to Toni Bracksten Unbreak my Heart. (with only channel) Tell you what, she was almost kissable. I could hear the emotion in her voice that the IRDA "purist" just wants to think about. There was more definition in the bass. When I hooked up the Purist only on that 1 channel, the bass wasn't as well defined.

All I know is when I have the money, I want one! Even with 1 channel down, the difference was unfortunately obvious.

Well, sorry to be long winded, but that's my quick review of the TVC.
Regards to all,
Ray

Hey Ray... see if Nick can help you in finding what wire goes where. If you can get it fixed ..I'll let you have it for only $0.00. In other words for free . Maybe a couple of photos to him will make the process of elimination easier. I sure hate UPS treated my preamp like a step child! I wanted you to hear it running on all cylinders.

I'll just have to work on getting another one in the future.

All the best,
Gymane

Hi Gymane, Well, gee, thanks! Didn't expect that to come out from left field. You might send Nick a note letting him know it's mine in case of any sort of warranty. I wonder what the cost will be to ship back to him?

I'll look in to that as soon as I've heard back from him. It actually will hold up better being that the bottom plate on the new one is steel. I wonder why no one has tried making the type of transformer like this one in a toroidal type.

Ray

[PromitheusAudio]

Ray
Glad that you like it. I am going to PM you on how to fix the stuff.

Looks like UPS really did their number on this. We are looking for more ways to make our unit more bomb proof.
Back then we were having more problems with internals going bust.
Glad to say this now is less of a problem. The only problem i know now is when the US custom opens the box, chuck back the preamp into the box minus packing material and ship it out again. THe internals of the preamp survived but the 3 ebony wood(imagine ebony is one of the dense woods around) were all crack.


On your torodial trans, i hate this type of trans. Not for power or for output trans or signal or for anything period. It sounds clean, good bass and highs but always lacking in the mids for me. Not my cup of tea

[PromitheusAudio]

Also guys lets have some posting on how we can improve the tvc.
I see rollo has posted some.

Also for those with the cover on, place a piece of wood on it. In the middle it really helps. I was experimenting using the ebony knobs(mainly because i have them). The difference is not day and night but audible. you get more bass extension and followthrough and the highs are more define.

So what you do log on to ebay, search for ebony wood. Buy some for cheap price, i believe look for pen blanks. CHop/saw and place in the internals of the amp, don't need to glue them just place them there and on the top. In the US this option is really viable as the pen blanks are cheap.

People ebony really works wonders with this preamp. For the price of the pen blanks i don't think you can go wrong plus you have lots to spare. Of course bear in mind there are few types of ebony around. Even US ebony from Texas.

I was told by a mechanical engineer, he mention ebony as a nice resonsance that makes the music better

[PromitheusAudio]

OUr current DAC is finish in development.

We are going to roll out our first batch of prototype DAC for trial purpose.

I will be making 4 sets of DAC for sampling purpose. I will be keeping 1 unit for myself here for further development.
his DACs are intended to be sent out to gauge how well they sound in the field plus problems and and also any room for improvement.

So i will be sending a unit to the US and a unit to UK. Those would like to participant in this trial test to see how well the dac works in your system to sign up

[PromitheusAudio]

Also while experimenting with Ebony woods and how they effect our preamp, i decided to lathe some ebony woods and turn them into cones.

THe effect was good. THe ebony wood brought about more body, bass extension and smoothness. The bass had a certain bounce to the sound. I like the sound so much that i was experimenting with it more.

I had some brass plates form like a bowl shape with a dimple to interface the ebony point made. After interfacing 2 together, it was much better than the ebony alone. this new combo added more delicacy and inner detailling to the sound without being bright. It is like a veil of noise is remove from music. You would hear "less" highs but the more you listen you realise the noise was actually the highs.The highs gets more define this way too. Refinement is the word to use.

SO i had some left over ebony wood and i am having them lathe so that i can offer them to other users of the tvc.

Here are the pics of them


And my preamp now under them


This cones are relatively big, 1 3/4" diameter and 2" tall.

[Whitese]

cones look good Nick!   I am so stoked with the dual mono unit....I need more pump me up statements to help convince the wife that we need your Phono... aa