[daipat]

What's the latest on the ref pre-amp from Nuforce??

[rustydoglim]

We encountered some delay in taking P-9 from prototype into production.
We also decided to produce P-9 using the same styling as the Ref 9 series instead of the radical designer styling. We'll reserve that for P-10.
P-9 will come in two chassis identical in size to Ref 9 or P-8 etc. It will have 5 inputs and one XLR output. No XLR input. There will be a phono unit (yes, total of 3 chassis) sold seperately later (design is done and should come out a month or two after P-9).
Volume shipment date: Feb, 2007.    We need 6 weeks for manufacturing of new product.
MSRP: $2800

*** You can buy P-8 now and apply 100% of the MSRP toward P-9 for trade-in. But you have to take the trade-in offer within 3 months of P-9 shipping date. ***

P-10 will come out around mid 2007 with true XLR input and output but cost considerably higher.

[daipat]

Hi Jason,

Thx for the heads-up.

1/ I wonder if more detail specs of the p-9 will be posted on the nuforce web-site any time soon. Is p-9 true XLR out?

2/ What's the story with the prototype - is it going thru a/b testing & critical listening? any review of the prototype/production unit in the pipeline.

3/ How does the p-9 differ sonically from p-8?

4/ Also, "radical designer styling" really makes me wonder what it may look like. would p-10 be opting for a wider chassis  design to cater for regulated power supply & balanced lay-out design?

Too many Qs asked but thx !

Best,

Patrick

[stingfan]

We also decided to produce P-9 using the same styling as the Ref 9 series instead of the radical designer styling.

This is GREAT news for us Ref9 owners.  I'm glad you decided to follow through with this Jason.    I really think that from an industrial design standpoint, the P-8 form factor works so well with the Ref9 amps.  I will definitely be upgrading to 9SE's AND the new P-9 now as a result of this design decision (not solely based on design of course, audio quality presumed to be outstanding w/ P-9)   Function and form must always make sense.

How about the Ref 9SE upgrade bundle option now Jason?   -->  http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=31435.0

[rustydoglim]

1/ I wonder if more detail specs of the p-9 will be posted on the nuforce web-site any time soon. Is p-9 true XLR out?

P-9 has no true XLR out. We'll post information only in December.

2/ What's the story with the prototype - is it going thru a/b testing & critical listening? any review of the prototype/production unit in the pipeline.

That's why it is going to take so long.  P-9 uses very expensive parts (eg. transistors good enough to be used in military satellite) and pure analog volume control. To add remote control capability, we use a motorized knob controlled by the remote control.  And it has memory retention feature!!!
How does it work?  When you turn off P-9 (at certain volume level), the motorized knob will slowly goes to zero (very cool).  The next time you turn it on, the motorized knob will use information from memory to turn the analog volume back to the previous volume level.  It moves 
This implementation is not straight forward.

3/ How does the p-9 differ sonically from p-8?

Better in every way.  It has to be. It cost almost 3X the price of P-8.

4/ Also, "radical designer styling" really makes me wonder what it may look like. would p-10 be opting for a wider chassis  design to cater for regulated power supply & balanced lay-out design?

I think the "radical styling" was posted somewhere before.  With P-9, the current Ref series will be quite complete.  P-8 matches well with Ref 9 and P-9 will match well with Ref 9SE. With AVP-16 and a few more amps, you have the best of 2 channel and home theater.

P-10 will be in 17" wide chassis with true balanced input and output.

How about the Ref 9SE upgrade bundle option now Jason?

I am sure we'll have a bundle option for Ref 9SE and P-9 when we're close to ship date.  We'll take good care of existing customers.

[daipat]

Jason,

Thx for the detailed update.

On the upgrade option fof p-8 to p-9, will this be available thru your dealers in Hong Kong as well?

Best,

Patrick

[rustydoglim]

I am sure we can work out a deal with all our distributors to make the 100% trade in work worldwide.

[Glen]

Will the P-9 have the same HT-bypass as the P-8?

[nuforce-casey]

Yes, we have a very well-thought through bypass for HT for P9.   The Bypass can be trigger with a 12V trigger input, as well as when the P9 is turned off.