SP Tech Experience with Amps

zybar · « **Reply #20 on:** 31 Aug 2007, 11:47 am »

Quote from: ted_b on 30 Aug 2007, 08:24 pm

Quote from: reefrus on 30 Aug 2007, 04:28 pm
Hi all,
I had a pair Parasound JC-1, McCormack 500, Belles 150A Ref Monos in the past. They all sound good on the Revelations or SP Tech's speakers in general.
I've been using a pair of 350A Ref for the last 1 1/2 year and woundn't change to anything else. Dave Belles was at the RMAF 06 and had a chance to hear the Revelations driven by a pair of 350A Ref. He was mighty impressed.
I'm currently considering Belles new class A monoblocks but a bit worry about the power. They are only 75w/8ohm. 165w/4ohm but will go up to 450w/1ohm. Dave said he will bring the classA monoblocks to the RMAF 07. Maybe I'll have a chance to try them out

Add this to the new Belles. now we're talking...Belles charm + mega steroids!
http://www.musicalfidelity.com/

Stereophile review this month is quite taken by this approach. In fact, take a nice tube amp and add this for incredible dynamics (adds up to 10db; MF goal is 110db peaks!)

I also read the review and it got me thinking that those would be a great match with my Bella Extreme 100's...unfortunately, $5k a pair is a pretty steep entry price.

George

ted_b · « **Reply #21 on:** 31 Aug 2007, 12:09 pm »

Very steep entry price; but an interesting approach that I would think could be made competitive (read: less money). Then one would choose his/her main amplifier for sonic characteristics, and less so for output. Maybe the Rogue's and McAlister's and Bella's of the world would be great value options even for inefficient speakers.

Wow, sorry...this thing has gotten way derailed cuz of my stupid hijack earlier.

I'm looking forward to hearing how my DNA-500 sounds, via biwire.

mcullinan · « **Reply #22 on:** 31 Aug 2007, 01:07 pm »

Quote from: RodMCV on 30 Aug 2007, 09:11 pm

Karsten,

What can you tell us all about the NuForce amps? Related to the SPTECH SPEAKERs.
I've been hearing a lot on the grape vine.
Thanks,

Rod

Bob did develop the S-9 for Nuforce so I would suspect? they might complement each other(SPTEch and Nuforce)...(But that might be an assinine presumption) Also the new Nuforce v2s are 190watts so I think the power is in the right range. Im looking forward to hearing the combo

Mike

RodMCV · « **Reply #23 on:** 31 Aug 2007, 08:59 pm »

Quote from: mcullinan on 31 Aug 2007, 01:07 pm

Quote from: RodMCV on 30 Aug 2007, 09:11 pm
Karsten,

What can you tell us all about the NuForce amps? Related to the SPTECH SPEAKERs.
I've been hearing a lot on the grape vine.
Thanks,

Rod

Bob did develop the S-9 for Nuforce so I would suspect? they might complement each other(SPTEch and Nuforce)...(But that might be an assinine presumption) Also the new Nuforce v2s are 190watts so I think the power is in the right range. Im looking forward to hearing the combo

Mike

Wow Mike,
You already have a set of the NuForce V2's?

I have heard that these are the Best Amps overall. Combo of slew, damping, power, sonics, sonics, size... quite a total package.
Scary to say though when you're thinking of the politics of the Amp World, what I like to call Ampdom,
I haven't heard the new V2.

What do you think and how do they compare?
Do you have SP-TECH to try them on yet?

Rod

RodMCV · « **Reply #24 on:** 31 Aug 2007, 09:00 pm »

boy, I'm new to this quoting posting Jazz
See Above.

Double Ugly · « **Reply #25 on:** 1 Sep 2007, 01:26 am »

Hey Rod,

When quoting, be sure to type your comments below the last "end quote" (which looks like this - [/quote] ).

Also, before clicking the "Post" button, click on the "Preview" button to see how your post will look. If your comments appear in the blue field (as in the post above), adjust the position of your text via cut/paste and hit "Preview" again. Keep at it till your post looks the way you want, then "Post."

You'll be a pro before you know it!

mcullinan · « **Reply #26 on:** 1 Sep 2007, 02:22 am »

Rod,
Previously I had the Nuforce 9 and treated myself to the full upgrade spa treatment. They are nice... compared to the nines v1 they are smoother, more tonally correct, more detailed, textured and fuller sounding. To me they sound lucious, but that might just be something else in my system..
No weirdness on the top end, they sound natural, best amps Ive ever owned, and fit nicely in my system.

Though I have heard some Bryston Amps that tickled my fancy. They are so big though... Id have to move next door to my tiny house and listen from there. hehe.

Havent heard them with the Timepieces yet... soon... probably befor RMAF.
Mike

RodMCV · « **Reply #27 on:** 1 Sep 2007, 03:48 pm »

Quote from: mcullinan on 1 Sep 2007, 02:22 am

Rod,
Previously I had the Nuforce 9 and treated myself to the full upgrade spa treatment. They are nice... compared to the nines v1 they are smoother, more tonally correct, more detailed, textured and fuller sounding. To me they sound lucious, but that might just be something else in my system..
No weirdness on the top end, they sound natural, best amps Ive ever owned, and fit nicely in my system.

Though I have heard some Bryston Amps that tickled my fancy. They are so big though... Id have to move next door to my tiny house and listen from there. hehe.

Havent heard them with the Timepieces yet... soon... probably befor RMAF.
Mike

Mike,
I wonder if the Bryston have more of that bottomless pit of power for those power hungry transients?
Rod

Double Ugly · « **Reply #28 on:** 1 Sep 2007, 04:15 pm »

I do wish Karsten would respond.

I dare say he's had more experience with SP Tech/amp combinations than anyone, and is the holder of all knowledge with regards to amps with fully Mundorf-ized speakers (his are Revelations).

ted_b · « **Reply #29 on:** 1 Sep 2007, 06:28 pm »

Quote from: Double Ugly on 1 Sep 2007, 04:15 pm

I do wish Karsten would respond.

I dare say he's had more experience with SP Tech/amp combinations than anyone, and is the holder of all knowledge with regards to amps with fully Mundorf-ized speakers (his are Revelations).

I assume Karsten won't mind me quoting him from an email he sent me mid-July, after I asked him about amps and the Revelations, then asked about tube amps:

"For power amplifiers there are two I can recommend without hesitation. The first is the Crown Studio Reference, big and ugly, but does a very good job. The second is a bit trickier because it is the NuForce Ref9 V2 which I have modified with OPA2227 op amps instead of the stock NE5532. The tricky part is that the op amps are SMD type and covered with some nasty glue….. I know that NuForce are going to test the OPA2227 with them and I guess they will use these op amps in future versions of the SE amp...............
David Berning is coming with a new mono block design, which I guess might be the best amplifiers on this planet, however the price will be around 24k $ so….................Tubes are not a problem with the Revelations. I’ve been using both the Joule Electra VZN 160 and Berning ZH 270 with great enjoyment. However when you get a speaker with such high resolution, headroom and dynamic capability, most tube amplifiers will be a limiting factor one way or another. I like what tubes does, however the trade off using the upgraded NuForce is so small that I personally think the gained advantages in bass control and the fact that the NuForce manages extremely complex material without “mushing” things up, clearly is a compromise worth taking."

RodMCV · « **Reply #30 on:** 1 Sep 2007, 08:03 pm »

In defense of Karsten; there are no official Nuforce current mods of V2amps; (so related to me Yesterday).
Rod

mcullinan · « **Reply #31 on:** 1 Sep 2007, 08:30 pm »

How do the different opamps change the sound? Is karsten using the se version?
mike

Double Ugly · « **Reply #32 on:** 1 Sep 2007, 09:12 pm »

Quote from: ted_b on 1 Sep 2007, 06:28 pm

"For power amplifiers there are two I can recommend without hesitation. The first is the Crown Studio Reference, big and ugly, but does a very good job. The second is a bit trickier because it is the NuForce Ref9 V2 which I have modified with OPA2227 op amps instead of the stock NE5532. The tricky part is that the op amps are SMD type and covered with some nasty glue….. I know that NuForce are going to test the OPA2227 with them and I guess they will use these op amps in future versions of the SE amp..............."

Thanks for the info, Ted.

I'd heard about both, including the improvements Karsten heard with the op amp swap, but it was third- or fourth-hand info. I try to avoid making public recommendations unless my assessment was derived from (1) personal experience with the product in question or (2) direct communication with a trustworthy individual whose hearing I trust. Though you didn't make a recommendation, Karsten is most definitely trustworthy IMHO.

Let's hope the "undisputed leader in switching-amplifier technology" will take Karsten's advice and make an OEM-level op amp change.

Since the Ref 9SE V2 is their statement product, and since Karsten arrived at his opinion after listening via some of the best, most advanced speakers in the world (Revelations with the works!

), the decision would seem of the no-brainer variety, but time will tell.

I'm not terribly optimistic, but I hope I'm wrong.

Personally, I'd be interested in knowing how the OPA2228 compares. I like the improved bandwidth (33MHz vs. 8MHz) and slew rate (11 V/us vs. 2.3 V/us) of the 2228, but we're talking about as much as a $10 (2227) to $20 (2228) increase per pair of amplifiers, and maybe NuForce believes it isn't worth it.

'Course, those prices are for a single, non-OEM purchase. I'm sure a company with NuForce's manufacturing capabilities could get a far better price than you or I.

Quote from: RodMCV on 1 Sep 2007, 08:03 pm

In defense of Karsten; there are no official Nuforce current mods of V2amps; (so related to me Yesterday).
Rod

Hi Rod,

I believe most everyone realizes there are no "official" modifications for the V2, but the rumor I heard is that the amps were clearly better with the 2227 op amps. I'd hoped Karsten would chime in with a detailed accounting of his experiences and experiments, but I understand his hesitancy, what with being a NuForce dealer and all.

Even so, I wasn't in any way admonishing Karsten for not posting. I was merely expressing my desire to hear about his latest findings, that's all. It's been a while since we've heard from the Denmark Den of Auditory Excellence.

Quote from: mcullinan on 1 Sep 2007, 08:30 pm

How do the different opamps change the sound? Is karsten using the se version?
mike

How do they change the sound? I don't know, but in some cases the sound can be improved - or worsened - a *LOT*!

And yes, Karsten has the latest Ref 9SE V2 amplifiers.

J@ck · « **Reply #33 on:** 7 Sep 2007, 05:30 pm »

Hi all
Are there some other "compact" amps would be great for the SP Tech Mini?
I have a budget around 2k. Maybe something like the Stellavox PW1? I have tried some DIY UcD and ICE amps before, but those weren't my cup of tea.
The nuforce R9 V2 SE looks nice but it is way out of my range.
Thanks.

RodMCV · « **Reply #34 on:** 7 Sep 2007, 06:20 pm »

I've heard good reports on the Australian AKSA amp.
I'm not sure if I spelled it right, or of its cost but I think it might be the ticket.
Also looking at used amps may bring others into your price range.
Rod

Double Ugly · « **Reply #35 on:** 8 Sep 2007, 03:09 am »

Quote from: RodMCV on 7 Sep 2007, 06:20 pm

I've heard good reports on the Australian AKSA amp.
I'm not sure if I spelled it right, or of its cost but I think it might be the ticket.
Also looking at used amps may bring others into your price range.
Rod

On a personal level, Hugh is as good as it gets IMHO. He is one of the people I'm most looking forward to meeting at the RMAF, and I'm equally excited about hearing his latest contribution to the hobby.

If his amps are as good as some say, it will definitely be in the running for my Revelation bi-amp project.

J@ck
I agree with Rod in that an AKSA might be just the ticket. Unfortunately, I haven't had an opportunity to hear one yet, but I have to believe there's something to the near-universal acclaim they've received.

Another option is a pair of used Odyssey Extreme monoblocks, or even a stereo model. Klaus' amps are exceptional values, and you'll be hard-pressed to find a better amp for the money, especially on the used market.

Haven't heard the Stellavox either, at least not that I can remember (they all run together after a while

), but it may work beautifully.

What are you using now?

lonewolfny42 · « **Reply #36 on:** 8 Sep 2007, 03:27 am »

Quote

I agree with Rod in that an AKSA might be just the ticket. Unfortunately, I haven't had an opportunity to hear one yet, but I have to believe there's something to the near-universal acclaim they've received.

Yes Jim....Hugh makes a very good amp.I have the AKSA 100 N+ (now on loan to topround)....and I have one of Occam's AKSA Lifeforce amps(which he loaned me to compare) which sounds even better than the Nirvana (across the board). And I think Hugh's new AKSA Soraya will be excellent...thats the newest one coming out....and you don't have to build it.

I'm looking forward to seeing Hugh in Denver, and hearing the new equipment....

Double Ugly · « **Reply #37 on:** 8 Sep 2007, 03:58 am »

Quote from: lonewolfny42 on 8 Sep 2007, 03:27 am

I'm looking forward to seeing Hugh in Denver, and hearing the new equipment....

Yeah, me too. I'm looking forward to finally meeting you, too, Chris, assuming I can find you amongst the swarm thats sure to surround you the entire show.

I'll probably be hanging with Bob, so if you see him, I'll probably be nearby.

RodMCV · « **Reply #38 on:** 8 Sep 2007, 04:05 am »

I am looking to meet all you guys who have been effected by the Magical Sp-tech sound.
I'm learning a mile a minute.
Rod

lonewolfny42 · « **Reply #39 on:** 8 Sep 2007, 04:07 am »

Quote from: Double Ugly on 8 Sep 2007, 03:58 am

Quote from: lonewolfny42 on 8 Sep 2007, 03:27 am
I'm looking forward to seeing Hugh in Denver, and hearing the new equipment....

Yeah, me too. I'm looking forward to finally meeting you, too, Chris, assuming I can find you amongst the swarm thats sure to surround you the entire show.

I'll probably be hanging with Bob, so if you see him, I'll probably be nearby.

Jim....
Seems everyone knows what I look like....I don't know how...

Gonna be a big turnout this year....nice. See you there....

(Don't forget....around 5PM ...everyone to the bar/lounge area for a get-together...)