Frank's T8 review in TAS...what happened?

pearsall001 · « **on:** 10 Jul 2007, 02:56 am »

Not a big deal, but I was really waiting to read the review in this new issue of TAS. I now see it listed as a review for the next issue. I guess I'm gonna have to wait again. Bummer!

jbob_honkytonk · « **Reply #1 on:** 13 Jul 2007, 01:26 am »

speaking of the T8 - does anyone have any moving coil step-up devices that would be a good match?

Listens2tubes · « **Reply #2 on:** 14 Jul 2007, 02:46 pm »

I use a pair of Ortofon T-5 mini step-up transformers, also known as Sony HA-T10. They provide 26db of gain (1:20) and work very well with my T8/Dynavector Karat (.26 mV) combo.

Search the VinylEngine.com for "Sony HA-T10" for more info.

Enjoy

richidoo · « **Reply #3 on:** 14 Jul 2007, 04:34 pm »

Quote from: pearsall001 on 10 Jul 2007, 02:56 am

Not a big deal, but I was really waiting to read the review in this new issue of TAS. I now see it listed as a review for the next issue. I guess I'm gonna have to wait again. Bummer!

It was listed as a review for 'next issue' in last issues webpage. I too am looking forward to that read. I hope it is written by someone who knows tubes and tube listeners' priorities, not just typical TAS -> "Sounds great, ugly box, $1100."
Rich

jbob_honkytonk · « **Reply #4 on:** 16 Jul 2007, 08:05 pm »

anybody know the email address for AVA - I can't get through on the "info@avahifi.com" per te website?...thx

martyo · « **Reply #5 on:** 16 Jul 2007, 09:17 pm »

Try avahifi@comcast.net

avahifi · « **Reply #6 on:** 18 Jul 2007, 01:16 pm »

What happened? I asked for the preamp back for a very simple overnight improvement. We discovered we could make the noise floor even lower by moving a ground wire on the mother board. One wire moved from one eyelet to another a few inches away on the board.

We got the unit back, made the fix and tested and back UPS 2 day the next day. But they delayed the review for an issue. It should be out the next isssue I think.

Frank Van Alstine

Mountain-ear · « **Reply #7 on:** 18 Jul 2007, 10:42 pm »

Frank -

Was the relocation of the ground wire a repair or an enhancement? If an enhancement, is it something that you are going to do to all T-8's going forward? Is it worth it to upgrade existing T-8's?

Steve

avahifi · « **Reply #8 on:** 18 Jul 2007, 10:51 pm »

Not a repair or an enhancement, just a minor wiring change that makes the already low noise floor even lower. It requires moving one easy to identify wire on the mother board to a different eyelet. All built in the last several months have been changed. It is easy to do if you can run a soldering pencil, or we will do it free (you pay shipping).

Frank

jbob_honkytonk · « **Reply #9 on:** 29 Jul 2007, 03:22 pm »

If you or someone you know might be interested in purchasing a used T-8, there is one for sale at:

http://cls.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?preatube&1190830912

Toka · « **Reply #10 on:** 21 Aug 2007, 10:19 pm »

Just read the review today while at the bookstore. I had forgotten that the review was scheduled, so I was quite pleased/surprised to find the write-up as I leafed through the mag. Pretty good review overall, though I felt the author played the 'budget' angle a bit too much. Also didn't like the implied negative that it wasn't "romantic" enough, especially considering that isn't the point in the first place. I also caught Frank's response at the end, which was just right. All in all, a positive review, and one that would have had me interested even if I wasn't already aware of Frank's work, so I guess that is all that matters.

Wayner · « **Reply #11 on:** 22 Aug 2007, 12:27 am »

Toka,

What else was said? I don't subscribe and wont pay $10 to read their on-line review (that's a stupid policy!).

W

Toka · « **Reply #12 on:** 22 Aug 2007, 12:43 am »

Hmm...

Only gave it one read through, but the reviewer was pleased overall with the unit, but "only as a linestage", as the phono stage was "grainy" with whatever Grado cart was used (can't remember which one...one of the woodies). Credit was given to the simple-yet-effective design, as well as the power regulation vis-a-vie the tubes. Wish I could remember more, but the bookstore is right next to the grocery store so I'll be able to pop in again and give it a more thorough once over (wish I had one of those spy-cam thingies to takes pics...). Also, the reviewer said it would be best with a "romantic" amp, as the T8 "wasn't tubey enough" (quotes estimated, gist the same).

I should add that while I interpreted it as a good review, I could imagine a lot of other people not being thrilled with it, as it wasn't didn't give the impression that the equipment was sprinkled with magic audio dust. Not that I wanted to read that, but still. I'm sure Frank will be able to offer a more thorough analysis, but if not I should get a chance to read it again within 5 days or so (running low on beer).

MaxCast · « **Reply #13 on:** 22 Aug 2007, 02:00 am »

Quote from: Wayner on 22 Aug 2007, 12:27 am

Toka,

What else was said? I don't subscribe and wont pay $10 to read their on-line review (that's a stupid policy!).

W

I got my whole subscription for 10 bucks.

Franks response was very good and classy.

richidoo · « **Reply #14 on:** 22 Aug 2007, 03:31 am »

I thought it was pretty negative review, just dressed up in typical TAS politically correct disguise. It had me in a downer because I had ordered mine the day before!!

A very wise man

calmed me down and reminded me of Olsher's known preference for the darker octal sound, and that I should decide with my own ears, which I intended to do anyway, but we like to feel in sync with the so called experts even if their taste is different.

I did not know about the mfg. response, thanks. I thought only Stereophile did that... I gotta look that up tonight! I am really looking fwd to hearing the T8 for myself.
Rich

honeybird · « **Reply #15 on:** 22 Aug 2007, 04:14 am »

I don't think it was such a bad review as much as it made no sense. On the one hand "Image outlines were tightly focused
within a deep soundstage and fleshed out with palpable presence... Tonal character was also unchanged with a variety of program material, being consistently close to neutral in presentation. The bass range was neither ripe nor lean. The upper octaves were
well extended and lacking the brightness that some mistake for genuine detail and presence. This was a good thing" then on the other hand "It’s fair to say that the T8 did not sound like a vintage tube preamp, but more like a hybrid. It lacked the harmonic warmth and liquidity that characterize romantic tube sound." Should it be neutral or should it be romantic??

I have been auditioning my new T8 for about a week now and I have not heard any of the grain or brittleness that are referred to in the phono section. There is no mention of the recordings being used.

Bob

martyo · « **Reply #16 on:** 22 Aug 2007, 11:55 am »

I haven't read the review. I used to subscribe to TAS in the '70's, but after a few years it seemed to me for something so subjective, they were highly biased, opinionated, and quite frankly, snobs.

I remember once HP commenting that he didn't sit in the sweet spot when he was listening, off to the right side, and he's making all these extremely supposedly sophisticated judgements.

Come on!

I know they are probably the most highly respected of this type of publication, personally I don't think that says much, but it would be nice for Frank to get his just due. Just TAS being willing to evaluate Frank's gear says a whole lot. Frank has had a successful business for over 35 years. Building some of the most musical gear around, and at times on the cutting edge. The trickiest piece is the balance of return for investment. Very few have succeeded at that, or maybe even thought it important.

This certainly was a biased post on my part.

Brett Buck · « **Reply #17 on:** 22 Aug 2007, 05:45 pm »

Quote from: honeybird on 22 Aug 2007, 04:14 am

I don't think it was such a bad review as much as it made no sense. On the one hand "Image outlines were tightly focused
within a deep soundstage and fleshed out with palpable presence... Tonal character was also unchanged with a variety of program material, being consistently close to neutral in presentation. The bass range was neither ripe nor lean. The upper octaves were
well extended and lacking the brightness that some mistake for genuine detail and presence. This was a good thing" then on the other hand "It’s fair to say that the T8 did not sound like a vintage tube preamp, but more like a hybrid. It lacked the harmonic warmth and liquidity that characterize romantic tube sound."

Man, I wish *I* could get paid for spewing incoherent drivel! Like a sucker, I've been doing it for free.

Brett

rustneversleeps · « **Reply #18 on:** 22 Aug 2007, 06:03 pm »

I haven't read the review, and I don't expect any audio review can present any honest opinion.

Keep in mind that not all audio reviewers are career audio professional. They are evaluators, Art Dudley used to evaluate tennis shoes, or luggage bags if I remember corredtly what he wrote about himself in one of his own article.

gjs_cds · « **Reply #19 on:** 22 Aug 2007, 07:35 pm »

This is exactly why I don't even bother with such tripe. A pre-amplifiers job is exactly that--to pre-amplify. It's not to change the sound, but faithfully render the sound exactly as it is recorded on the source.

So to say that it's best paired with a "romantic" amp is simply ludicrous. (What the heck does "romantic" sound like, anyway?) The gear either faithfully renders the source material, or it does not. And if you want it to add distortion, then just go ahead and say so. But relative to this review, the reviewer is confusing an issue of equalization and added harmonic distortion (which for him, is personal preference) rather than that of simple pre-amplification. I wonder if the author reviews his equalizers as if they were pre-amplifiers? I get the feeling that the reviewer would opt for buying special anti-vibration-stones at $50 a pop to improve his system, rather than moving this loudspeakers to their most optimized and proper room placement (for free).

Why do so many of us actually fall for this snake-oil hogwash?

To me, HP (and his golden ears) comes across as a tweako cultist nut. This reviewer--no different. Most of the "hi-fi" press is nothing more than paid advertisements, yellow journalism, or sheer make-believe quackery. I've always been on Team Aczel anyway.