[Danny Kaey]

 

 

wow - guys, if you have Zu Def's GET a pair of original Quad II's... w/ 6l6 b00bs... err... t00bs... if you don't have either, get them ANYWAY...

you will be rewarded with the most unreal sound - I guarantee it!

I am speechless!!!

[ferenc_k]

I can say something similar after living with a Zu Druid and an Altmann BYOB amp. It is one of the most enjoyable and emotional synergistic product pair I have ever tried. Using Altmann Attraction DAC of course.

[anubisgrau]

I can say something similar after living with a Zu Druid and an Altmann BYOB amp. It is one of the most enjoyable and emotional synergistic product pair I have ever tried. Using Altmann Attraction DAC of course.

is it a better match than with trio's? i mean it would be great if something that cost 2500E sounds superior to 10.000E+ speaker.

how do you cope with zu druid positioning? i keep on hearing complaints they are bitch to get them properly placed. how big is your room ferenc?

[JDUBS]

Danny, what preamp are you using with the Quad IIs?

-Jim

[Danny Kaey]

Danny, what preamp are you using with the Quad IIs?

-Jim

Hi Jim,
a super quiet NAT Plasma...

seriously, the system is dead quiet!

it is absolutley astounding how this combo works.

[ferenc_k]

As I had the Trios in my room as well, it was really tricky. My room is 32 sqm.

[Zero]

D00D Leik , t3h system is pwn! LAWL!

Sorry - couldn't resist.   

Always great to hear about a wonderful synergy and a happy owner.

[Danny Kaey]

lol! 

[JDUBS]

Thanks for the preamp info, Danny.

Also, good to see you posting on Audiocircle.  I've very much enjoyed your Positive-Feedback writings.

-Jim

[Danny Kaey]

Thanks Jim!

look for more action soon......................

[macrojack]

My Def Pros are bi-amped using a Red Wine Audio Signature 30 for the front drivers. Compare that to the QUAD setup and report back. I can promise the RWA will be even quieter than what you are using.

Pardales is using a BYOB amp and he had an RWA Sig 30 in house for comparison. According to him, they are more or less interchangeable, but he kept the BYOB. I think that might be because the Red Wine had a return option and Altmann did not. For me, Red Wine is the clear choice since it has sub outputs and the Altmann doesn't.

As part of the Altmann Attraction tour I found the Altmann DAC to be the finest digital conveyance I've ever experienced. I still may buy one but I too have trouble justifying the price to parts ratio even though you can use a very inexpensive transport with it. Still sitting on that fence.

It's nice to see Zu get a little more positive comment from an esteemed source. I think they are the most underappreciated audio treasure out there. Keep up the good work.

[anubisgrau]

As part of the Altmann Attraction tour I found the Altmann DAC to be the finest digital conveyance I've ever experienced. I still may buy one but I too have trouble justifying the price to parts ratio even though you can use a very inexpensive transport with it. Still sitting on that fence.

isn't this a silly argument?

what if such a device would be housed in a krell-type heavy alloy case with 1 inch polished front plate and golden connectors all around?

it sounds good enough to justify ANY price, not mere 1000$.

[macrojack]

I agree that the argument is silly but I think my price in the U.S. would be more like $1700 and I have been stung enough times on digital to be gun shy about that big of a figure.

[jon_010101]

I agree that the argument is silly but I think my price in the U.S. would be more like $1700 and I have been stung enough times on digital to be gun shy about that big of a figure.

I don't think your argument is silly at all -- it appears that the construction has been purposely made a joke for the sake of reducing sales volume while maintaining reasonable profit margin.  Some may disagree, but I don't care how it sounds -- if it isn't built like a durable good, I don't think the cost is justified.  "Good sound" alone won't convince me to spend $1700 for a board, attached to a piece of spruce, that must be powered by an externally-charged battery.  If it is as good as it appears to be, it shouldn't be long before the technology makes it into a variety of "finished" products at varying price points.  So, I'll also pass for now.

Like the BYOB amplifier, the complete electronic assembly of the Attraction DAC is vibrationally optimized, as the pcb is flat-press-mounted on a specially treated spruce-board. This construction is time-consuming during manufacture, but improves sound quality, as all components are mechanically coupled to a musical sound board.

 


(edit -- BTW, I won't edit what I wrote, but to clarify, I don't mean "joke" in a disparaging way at all.  Simply that the "chassis" was designed with an obvious sense of humor.  A subtle rebellion, but also a way to scare off the poor and lazy DAC bargain-seekers as myself, while simultaneously reducing parts/labor/overhead costs.  If it sounds as good as many say it does, but was the shape/size of a Ack Dack and had a self-charging battery system, they'd have to make a lot more of them a lot more quickly.)

[JDUBS]

I agree that the argument is silly but I think my price in the U.S. would be more like $1700 and I have been stung enough times on digital to be gun shy about that big of a figure.

I don't think your argument is silly at all -- it appears that the construction has been purposely made a joke for the sake of reducing sales volume while maintaining reasonable profit margin.  Some may disagree, but I don't care how it sounds -- if it isn't built like a durable good, I don't think the cost is justified.  "Good sound" alone won't convince me to spend $1700 for a board, attached to a piece of spruce, that must be powered by an externally-charged battery.  If it is as good as it appears to be, it shouldn't be long before the technology makes it into a variety of "finished" products at varying price points.  So, I'll also pass for now.

Like the BYOB amplifier, the complete electronic assembly of the Attraction DAC is vibrationally optimized, as the pcb is flat-press-mounted on a specially treated spruce-board. This construction is time-consuming during manufacture, but improves sound quality, as all components are mechanically coupled to a musical sound board.

 

Not sure I understand this.  Why would Altmann want to reduce sales volume by not putting the DAC in a metal case?  It costs very little to source a suitable metal case.  Have you read any of the stuff on his web site?  He's chosen the treated spruce and external battery intentionally for better sound.

Whether you buy off on the better sound is entirely up to you...but make no mistake, all Altmann parts were chosen for a purpose.

-Jim

[jon_010101]

Not sure I understand this.  Why would Altmann want to reduce sales volume by not putting the DAC in a metal case?  It costs very little to source a suitable metal case.  Have you read any of the stuff on his web site?  He's chosen the treated spruce and external battery intentionally for better sound.

Whether you buy off on the better sound is entirely up to you...but make no mistake, all Altmann parts were chosen for a purpose.

-Jim

I've read through the website several times, as I do find the DAC clever and appealing -- but Altmann even links to a data sheet of a much-more-expensive model he is working on, which includes a conventional chassis and external power supply.  I think the construction at present is engineered to reduce time and effort in building them, while maintaining a minimalist "cool" (plus, his board layouts do look pretty).  The current product may be appealing to others for its sound, and I see nothing wrong with that.  Surely he is a busy guy, and this saves him from having to build intricate DAC cases, and lets him focus on new designs.  Frankly, as an engineer, I'd do much the same.  But I can't personally justify paying $1700 for a board attached to a piece of spruce that requires me to maintain a charged battery in my listening room.  Maybe a wood box with plexiglass cover would change my mind.

(also, apologies to others for the threadjack/diversion )

[rpf]

I haven't heard the Druids yet but I recently picked up a pair of the reissued Quad II Classic and I am very impressed.
 
Still running the stock tubes, while awaiting replacements from Andy Bowman, yet, nonetheless, the amps have an incredibly life like quality. Unfortunately, I have to send them back for service due to one of them producing a hum through the attached speaker but I'm hoping they'll sound even better when I get them back and get some NOS tubes in them.

In the meantime I have a pair of Dodd 50 watt Monos due to arrive tomorrow and have high hopes for them as well. 

[Danny Kaey]

I suspect much the same change with the Druids... the Quad's seem to be a super fit for Zu's...

w/ 15w on tapp, you have nice headroom... I am getting a couple clicks above 100db @ my listening chair w/ the Def/Quad/Brinkmann for bass setup...

D.

I haven't heard the Druids yet but I recently picked up a pair of the reissued Quad II Classic and I am very impressed.
 
Still running the stock tubes, while awaiting replacements from Andy Bowman, yet, nonetheless, the amps have an incredibly life like quality. Unfortunately, I have to send them back for service due to one of them producing a hum through the attached speaker but I'm hoping they'll sound even better when I get them back and get some NOS tubes in them.

In the meantime I have a pair of Dodd 50 watt Monos due to arrive tomorrow and have high hopes for them as well.