I've joined the SP Tech Club

Bill Baker · « **Reply #40 on:** 21 Dec 2007, 02:29 am »

How about some of Kevin's amps over at DIYcable.com?

ooheadsoo · « **Reply #41 on:** 21 Dec 2007, 02:34 am »

I don't think there are many other vendors using the 500w into 8 ohms spec'd ice power module other than d-sonic and bel canto. Maybe Jeff Rowland, but that's another price ballpark. Ric is using the 500 into 4 ohm model.

Kevin also doesn't have any ultra high powered ucd modules ready yet, although those Face amps he just started to carry almost tempted me. Did you get a look at the under the hood shots?

His current sale price is also incredible.

At the sale price, I'd buy 2 and bridge them, if I had the guts.

spence · « **Reply #42 on:** 21 Dec 2007, 02:43 am »

I'm using Focal Twin 6 BE active monitors in my studio right now. I've got a pair of passive Tannoys in there too that I run with a Hafler P-4000 amp. I'll use the 3.0's once in a while to check the translation of my mixes, but most of the time I'll be using them for pleasure listening. I have a Pass Labs X250.5 that I'm selling because it eats power and gets pretty darned hot....not good in the summertime. It's a slammin' amp though. I would gladly look into a tube amp if there's one out there that's not hard on the old electric bill. I guess I should also mention that I'm using a Sim Audio P-5 Limited Edition preamp and a Bluenote tube CD player. I hope this helps to clear things up a bit.

Hey ooheadsoo, who makes the amp in your pic?

Bill Baker · « **Reply #43 on:** 21 Dec 2007, 02:56 am »

Hi spence,
I wasn't going to mention the Pass Labs amp as I figured you would chime in on that as I knew you were also primarily using active speakers in the studio. This is the reasoning for my last post redirecting things back to the fact that you were looking for an amp for your casual listening system and not the studio.
I did forget you mentioned you were selling the Pass Labs.

A 50-70 watt tube amp would not eat as much power as your Pass but will probably run as hot. At least one capable of doing justice to the Timepieces. You could always go with two pair of Hurricanes in a bi-amp setup but I doubt you want to deal with the heat of 32 KT88 tubes

I know from experience as this is what I once ran with the Continuums. It was a month after the flood (early August) and my central air system was dead from being under water but boy did those speakers sing

Russell Dawkins · « **Reply #44 on:** 21 Dec 2007, 03:23 am »

Quote from: RodMCV on 21 Dec 2007, 01:54 am

Crown Reference Amp on agon, that's the power!
That's also the amp Bob has used during the speaker's development.

If you are referring to the Crown Studio Reference II near the top of the listings, that's not the one!

It is only the Crown (or Amcron in Canada) Macro Reference.

ooheadsoo · « **Reply #45 on:** 21 Dec 2007, 03:33 am »

That's the Face amp that Kevin started to distribute: http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=48264.0

bhobba · « **Reply #46 on:** 21 Dec 2007, 03:59 am »

Quote from: spence on 21 Dec 2007, 02:43 am

I would gladly look into a tube amp if there's one out there that's not hard on the old electric bill.

If that's a concern, go for one those new fangled digital amps like the CI 200. On balance, after reading what everyone has said, that may be the best overall choice. I doubt 200W will run out of puff. Maybe Lonewofly can chime in here - he has heard them with a ton of different amps.

Thanks
Bill

lonewolfny42 · « **Reply #47 on:** 21 Dec 2007, 04:32 am »

Quote

Maybe Lonewofly can chime in here - he has heard them with a ton of different amps.

There are many to choose from....but my advice for now....and the same as what I posted at the start of this thread....

"As for an amp....I'd wait till you have your speakers....test them out...then see what direction you want to go."

Let Dave get his speakers first....

ooheadsoo · « **Reply #48 on:** 21 Dec 2007, 05:11 am »

Here are supposed measurements for the Face amp. Perhaps not the best for hifi, after all.

http://www.dvdplaza.fi/forums/showthread.php?t=56613

Bill Baker · « **Reply #49 on:** 21 Dec 2007, 01:17 pm »

Quote

"As for an amp....I'd wait till you have your speakers....test them out...then see what direction you want to go."

Let Dave get his speakers first....

Amen to that my leaning brother.

We can only go so far with biaed recommendations. In the end, I'm sure he will make a good decision.

spence · « **Reply #50 on:** 21 Dec 2007, 01:54 pm »

ooheadsoo,
I kind of figured those amps were probably lacking somewhere considering the price. Those new Channel Islands D-500 monos sure look good, but at twice the price of the D-200? I don't know.....

mcullinan · « **Reply #51 on:** 21 Dec 2007, 02:19 pm »

I have the Nuforce 9 SE v2s and at Mikes Rave in November we heard them with Chrises SPTECH TP2.0s. Sounded very good. Besides power, the sound will also be system dependent, with whatever else is in the chain. For a moment the Nuforce were edgy with the speakers, this was with no tube pre in the system. With Toprounds Mapletree pre with tubes, everything sounded great. GL
Mike

RodMCV · « **Reply #52 on:** 21 Dec 2007, 03:48 pm »

Quote from: spence on 21 Dec 2007, 01:54 pm

ooheadsoo,
I kind of figured those amps were probably lacking somewhere considering the price. Those new Channel Islands D-500 monos sure look good, but at twice the price of the D-200? I don't know.....

I think that Ric has the 500 watt into 8 ohm Ice amp monos.
He is at tweakaudio.com.
From what I understand he used a Bel Canto as the stepping off point for his design modifications.

I have no amp agenda unless you're interested in my Luminance amp!

ooheadsoo · « **Reply #53 on:** 22 Dec 2007, 02:11 am »

I stand corrected. Perhaps one day I will be able to try one of these monster power amps.

spence · « **Reply #54 on:** 22 Dec 2007, 03:08 am »

You know what's harder than finding an amp? It's trying to figure out what finish to get for the speakers. I've got light maple floors so I want to go with maple. I'd like to get a nice figured maple (preferrably curly) for the front baffle, but I'm told it's hard to match up pieces to look right, and a solid one piece front would be outrageously expensive, so I'm in a quandry. This is a lot of money to spend on speakers, so I want them to look good. I really like the look of the sides of Frank's speakers, but I think that's sycamore, which is fine if I could get a front baffle that wouldn't get upstaged by the sides! I wonder if the picture of the 3.0's on the website is maple or sycamore? I like the inlaid walnut on the sides, but that's probably another arm and a leg to have done. Anybody have any maple speakers they can post pics of? Decisions, decisions!

Double Ugly · « **Reply #55 on:** 22 Dec 2007, 03:40 am »

Quote from: spence on 22 Dec 2007, 03:08 am

You know what's harder than finding an amp? It's trying to figure out what finish to get for the speakers.

I know a little about that.

I ordered Revelations over a year ago, and I still haven't decided on a finish.

Quote from: spence on 22 Dec 2007, 03:08 am

I really like the look of the sides of Frank's speakers, but I think that's sycamore, which is fine if I could get a front baffle that wouldn't get upstaged by the sides!

Claro walnut, crotch mahogany, a nicely figured bubinga... these are a few relatively exotic options that I believe would compliment maple or sycamore quite well.

And yes, considering the waveguide CNC requirements for the front panel, going 'bold' can get expensive. But it's worth it to me, which is why mine will likely end up costing quite a bit more than one of the standard options.

spence · « **Reply #56 on:** 22 Dec 2007, 04:11 am »

Funny you should mention crotch mahogany. I asked about that but apparently it's hard to get and $$$ to boot. I'd really like to see a price list with the upcost of the premium woods and some sample pics. Maybe that's asking a bit much, but it sure would save everybody time. By the way, I'd like to thank everyone who has responded to my post. I'm glad to be part of the SP family and so far everyone has been extremely helpful during my short tenure.

Thanks everyone!
Dave Spencer

Aether Audio · « **Reply #57 on:** 22 Dec 2007, 06:30 pm »

Spence

Quote

I'd really like to see a price list with the upcost of the premium woods and some sample pics. Maybe that's asking a bit much, but it sure would save everybody time.

That sure would be nice and it never hurts to ask, but...I don't think you realize the enormity of the request. Since we are able and willing to build virtually anything one may want that is available, that opens up an almost unlimited universe of possibilities. The hardwood species market is huge and very much like the commodities market. Prices fluctuate almost daily, depending on harvest conditions, time of year, mill runs, etc. Heck, you ought to see the bidding wars that take place on E-bay for small pieces of logs! We used to try and have a fixed price but on one end the customer got screwed and on the other we did.

We've decided to quote on a per order basis as many times certain species aren't even available. If you notice on the link to the veneer vendor's website that Bill gave you, certain woods (like the Crotch Mahogany) say "enquire for pricing." The above is why. One day they may get a big lot in and it goes for cheap... a couple of months later and you can't even get it. In that regard veneer is bad enough. When we're talking solid hardwood boards of the lengths we need, unless you are very well off... you don't even want to know what some woods will cost for what seems a relatively small amount.

So... sorry we can't do better. It's a hassle I know but like anything else in life, if you want something other than the "mass produced" stuff, that's what you're forced to deal with. It's a hassle for us as well to do the research and get prices. In the end a customer may decide against a certain combination due to the price. Then all of that time was spent for nothing gained. Nevertheless, we accept the fact that it's just part of the process.

Take care,

-Bob

spence · « **Reply #58 on:** 22 Dec 2007, 06:42 pm »

Hi Bob,
Thanks for replying. I understand your point completely. I'm probably going to fall into the catagory of the "customer who decides against a certain combination due to price"! By the way which woods were used on the 3.0 on your website? And (I have to ask), is the inlay on the sides a very expensive option?

Thanks,
Dave spencer

spence · « **Reply #59 on:** 29 Dec 2007, 02:49 pm »

I see where Audio Zone has a new pair of monoblocks on the market. Not much info available on them right now though. I wish I could go to CES to see what's on the horizon in the class D category. Anyone here going? Is SP Tech going to be there? If so, I'm curious as to which amps they'll be using.