[miklorsmith]

. . . Train kept a-rollin', all night long . . .

So much great gear, so little time (and funds).

Thanks, Chris.  I'm excited to get the Altmann back and I'll do my best to compare with the other two, and some other stuff as well.   

[lonewolfny42]

Mike....

. . Train kept a-rollin', all night long . . .

Ahhhh....the boys from Boston....Aerosmith.

So much great gear, so little time (and funds).

With my stuff Mike you can take your time.... no need to rush.



***Bump.......

"Anyone have any requests to compare anything else in the system while the Altmann is here....let me know."

                                             Chris

[lonewolfny42]

This was an interesting read....here...

It's packed for shipping and going out today.....thanks Mike !!!

[richidoo]

Nice article Chris. Another happy camper.

[miklorsmith]

Right on!

[ferenc_k]

This was an interesting read....here...

It's packed for shipping and going out today.....thanks Mike !!!

It is me! Now my system is a bit different, next level. Altmann DAC, BYOB amp, Altmann ADC as a clock generator, Promitheus Ref 5 between the Altmanns, etc.

[anubisgrau]

This was an interesting read....here...

It's packed for shipping and going out today.....thanks Mike !!!

It is me! Now my system is a bit different, next level. Altmann DAC, BYOB amp, Altmann ADC as a clock generator, Promitheus Ref 5 between the Altmanns, etc.

ferenc, do you still have your EAR 864?

it's interesting i have EAR 864 and promitheus with the latest transformers, and EAR is the clear winner....

[ferenc_k]

I had the EAR 834T, integrated. I know the 864 very well, it is really good, but I have no experience comparing the two.

[lonewolfny42]

This was an interesting read....here...

It's packed for shipping and going out today.....thanks Mike !!!

It is me! Now my system is a bit different, next level. Altmann DAC, BYOB amp, Altmann ADC as a clock generator, Promitheus Ref 5 between the Altmanns, etc.

ferenc_k....
Nice job on that article. Two questions....
Did you try any other battery besides the "red top" one ?
 
 and.......

What do you think about the Altmann BYOB amp ?

Thanks.......
                             Chris

[ferenc_k]

I have two batteries now, the red top and an Exxide. Both are spiral cell. I know it sounds strange but there is a bit difference between the two similar capacity and construction battery: the red top is a bit drier, the Exxide is a bit more "juicy", a bit more energetic. Not a big difference anyway just something I realized. I use both, while the empty one is being recharged I use the other one, so the difference is not a big deal soundwise.

I like the BYOB amp as much as the DAC. Some folks think I am dumb, but I changed my old Audio Note (original Kondo) Kageki amp to the BYOB after living with the Kageki for six years. There is something (emotion, fluidity, honesty, simple believable reproduction) which I get from the BYOB, and I did not get from any other amp - price no object. I do not say it is "better" than others. No. I say it is very special to me and it has a synergy with my way of decoding reproduced music. The price difference between the sold Kageki and the BYOB just let us to move  to nice new house with my family which is 50% bigger than the old was

I am hooked as quite a few others here. There is an audio forum in my country where folks never experienced Altmann goodies used to  say to the Altmann owners (quite a few, more then 2 dozens by the way) are a religious group, a kind of "sect", the "Believers". They do not understand why the Altmann owners do not want test, upgrade, etc.... They ask: if you do not test how do you know you have the best one. The Altmann owners here used to smile quietly.

[richidoo]

I have two batteries now, the red top and an Exxide....(snip) the difference is not a big deal soundwise.

That's good to know. I have read about people trying a capactor reservoir on the battery with good results. Anyone try any power source experimenting? I'm wondering if I should try to jam together a little filter circuit. I have a good linear 12V/300ma supply, not sure if that will be enough for the little DAC. Not even one cold cranking amps. I have red tops in the cars, will start with that of course.

(snip) ...The price difference between the sold Kageki and the BYOB just let us to move  to nice new house with my family which is 50% bigger than the old was

That's nice! Keep momma happy and everyone is happy! I bet she LOVES your hobby now!

I have been reading about Altmann stuff on the web for at least a year, and now it seems to be coming to life over here too. I would consider "testing" the BYOB amp, but I am concerned that they cannot power my speakers. They are 95dB/w/m, but have large bass drivers and low impedence. My Cary 70wpc integrated tube amp was handily defeated trying to play loud. So I'm thinking that in order to give the BYOB amps a try I would need new, smaller speakers, which might sound, well... smaller. I have read that the Altmann amps can play loud, but how bout driving 1.9ohms? Would the spruce board become kindling?  Thanks

Rich

[lonewolfny42]

Thanks ferenc_k....
Mike's touring Altmann came with this CSB battery....seemed to work well, and took up very little space.

[mgalusha]

Mike's touring Altmann came with this CSB battery....seemed to work well, and took up very little space.

I put this in the box with the Altmann as it didn't come with one. I had purchased it for the alarm system in our old house and it wouldn't fit in the panel so it was just gathering dust. Figured this would be a much better use of the battery.

[lonewolfny42]

Mike's touring Altmann came with this CSB battery....seemed to work well, and took up very little space.

I put this in the box with the Altmann as it didn't come with one. I had purchased it for the alarm system in our old house and it wouldn't fit in the panel so it was just gathering dust. Figured this would be a much better use of the battery.

I stand corrected...thanks Mike.

I guess otherwise I would of had to get the battery from my car....

[mgalusha]

I guess otherwise I would of had to get the battery from my car....

Chris, I stole the battery from our garden tractor and it wasn't until the day before I was ready to ship it that I actually found the SLA. We moved last August and I *knew* I had that battery but couldn't find it. Turned out to be sitting in plain sight on a shelf, apparently wanting to be found.

[lonewolfny42]

I guess otherwise I would of had to get the battery from my car....

Chris, I stole the battery from our garden tractor and it wasn't until the day before I was ready to ship it that I actually found the SLA. We moved last August and I *knew* I had that battery but couldn't find it. Turned out to be sitting in plain sight on a shelf, apparently wanting to be found.

Well...it worked fine...nice and compact Mike.
And...I did some checking...$26.00 to $28.00...retail for the HC 1228W battery online....

[anubisgrau]

I've always thought that Red Optima is necessary for BYOB, but not for Attraction DAC.

Just to have a peace of mind, it would be great if someone outthere would have a chance to compare a DAC's performance with SLA battery against Red Optima or Blue Exxide DC.

I've thought that Charles Altmann recommendation for Red Optima came after many experiments but just recently I've learnt from the well informed source that for example he never tried any other optical cable than 5$ plain plastic Toshiba toslink. I wouldn't be surprised if Charles had Red Optima sitting somewhere around, tried it and it worked well so maybe he didn't bother. Actually I remember he mentioned somewhere on his website that a small motorcycle battery would be fine for his DAC too, except that it should need charging more often.

How long the Altmann DAC can work on one SLA battery charge? It would be good to know before I waste $200 on Blue Exxide DC.

[lonewolfny42]

Thank you again Mike.....I've posted my review here......

Herr Altmann has left the building......

[richidoo]

I've always thought that Red Optima is necessary for BYOB, but not for Attraction DAC.

Just to have a peace of mind, it would be great if someone outthere would have a chance to compare a DAC's performance with SLA battery against Red Optima or Blue Exxide DC.

I've thought that Charles Altmann recommendation for Red Optima came after many experiments but just recently I've learnt from the well informed source that for example he never tried any other optical cable than 5$ plain plastic Toshiba toslink. I wouldn't be surprised if Charles had Red Optima sitting somewhere around, tried it and it worked well so maybe he didn't bother. Actually I remember he mentioned somewhere on his website that a small motorcycle battery would be fine for his DAC too, except that it should need charging more often.

How long the Altmann DAC can work on one SLA battery charge? It would be good to know before I waste $200 on Blue Exxide DC.

It burns 200ma, so a battery chanrge will last a month or more. You can rig a trickle charger up with the power switch so it is effortless to have the battery. Charles has a 10 yo red top, likely used it during development. Folks say battery type affects sound, as it would since it is the voltage rails with no sugar coating. Batteries do make noise and have different discharge rates. Not ideal, but relatively quiet and CHEAP compared to rectification to same quietness. You just want the quietest battery you can get, with highest cranking amps. Outside of special custom stuff, optima is best battery you can buy. Some have tried a filter cap across the battery leads to further reduce noise, increase speed, and it may be getting the thumbs up for the first Altmann products tweek.

Having a battery indoors is not safe unless it is totally sealed and spillproof. Optima is not liquid, but gel, no puddles of acid sloshing around in there. I don't know if it makes hydrogen gas when discharging like SLA. I would not bring a traditional SLA plate battery into my house.
Rich

[miklorsmith]

Thanks Chris - very nice.  I agree with you that my system is better than when it left.  That Lamm pre is a mutha.  It meshes with the Sig. amps incredibly well.  I'm excited to truly hear the Altmann for the first time myself.  Since it never played perfectly with the TacT, I had to listen loud all the time to get it to sound right.  Hey I like loud, but I like quiet too.

On the price/appearance question - I couldn't care less what it looks like it costs.  If it sounds better than other stuff, that's what I pay for.  To me, it ain't about rack appeal.  If Charles can take $50 worth of parts (not that I'm saying he does) and turn it into $3,000 worth of sound, sold for $1,500, I call that a deal.

We all have our own priorities of what we *pay* for.