[thedatabase]

Greetings all!  This is my first post here, and my first foray into high-end audio 

I'm planning a new computer audio system.  I have tight space requirements and a ~$3000 budget so was planning on Orb Classic One/two speakers at one end, a USB DAC (Scott Dixon maybe?) at the other, with a great big "X" in between

Now today I had the following flash of inspiration on the "X = Signature 30" scenario:  "I could take this baby up onto my roof deck!"

These questions are troubling me though:

 - the Orb's Super Eight subwoofer has an integrated 200W BASH digital amp; what are it's power requirements, ie could I rig this up to *another* battery/set-of-batteries??

 - does the Super Eight power supply make it a crime to hook up to a Signature 30?  My requirements are for a compact speaker solution with a deep and accurate bass response priced at under $1500

 - the Scott Nixon UFO DAC can be powered from a 12V DC source.  Would it be asking for trouble to try and source this power from inside the Signature 30?

Thanks for any help people.  I am astounded by the depth of knowledge I see in places like this --- looks like I have a lot of sliding to do down this slippery slope! 

[IronLion]

Although I don't know anything about the Orb speakers, if it has a BASH plate amp then you just plug it into that wall and thats that; no need for batteries and I don't even think it would be possible to supply it with the current it would need for sustained music listening with batteries. 

Don't worry about the fact that the subwoofer isn't battery powered; I've never heard of one in existence and it will probably never happen with current battery technology. 

Lastly, you wouldn't want to try to power the Scott Nixon DAC off of the Signature 30's power supply.  Vinnie could probably rig something up that would let it run off of SLA battery power. 

[thedatabase]

> Scott Dixon maybe?

perhaps even a Scott Nixon! 

[thedatabase]

> Don't worry about the fact that the subwoofer isn't battery powered; I've never heard of one in existence and it will probably never happen with current battery technology.

OK good, thanks! --- I was kind of thinking 200W was a lot for a battery!

Is the reason I don't need to worry something to do with the powered component living downstream from the main amplification?  I was worried I was being some sort of philistine suggesting a powered component with this amp... 

[IronLion]

I have this amplifier (the Sig 30) and use it with a powered subwoofer with no issues.  If you want to go the all-battery route (other than the sub), which I have done but will soon switch away from due to new lower-efficiency speakers, that will result in nice black backgrounds, less noise, etc, but don't consider it the end all and let your selection of components be influenced by battery power too much.  It is nice not to have to worry about power cords or power conditioning, but there are certainly a lot of dead-quiet AC powered components out there that sound great as well. 

[thedatabase]

OK this makes me much happier, as I quite liked the sound of these Orbs! 

Such a quick reply too! thanks!

[Vinnie R.]

OK this makes me much happier, as I quite liked the sound of these Orbs! 

Such a quick reply too! thanks!

Hi thedatabase,

Welcome to Audiocircle and the RWA forum!

I am in no way bashing the Orb system (I have not even heard it), but for $549, they are working at a much lower price-point and I do not believe you are going to get the most out of a Signature 30 or 30.2 with this type of system.  You are probably better off using something like the Trends TA-10 amp ($120) if you are going with the Orb system.

My requirements are for a compact speaker solution with a deep and accurate bass response priced at under $1500

How compact does this system have to be?  I see that the Orb Classic One is compact, but can you go larger with the stereo speakers?  For $1500, you can get the upcoming Omega P-Zoe system, which features two speakers that are 7" wide, 14" tall, and 10" deep with a 4.5" hempcone driver, and a DeepHemp Cube subwoofer... this is an AMAZINGLY good value!  That subwoofer alone should be priced at $2k.. it is that good... sealed, tight, fast, musical, very easy to set up.  A system like this would do a lot more justice with the Signature 30.2, but it might be out of your budget.

- the Scott Nixon UFO DAC can be powered from a 12V DC source.  Would it be asking for trouble to try and source this power from inside the Signature 30?

The Scott Nixon USB UFO JF (JFET buffered USB dac) is a really nice match with the Signature 30 / 30.2!  Yes, you can run it off of a 12V SLA battery (and I have found that it sounds quite a bit better on SLA than using it with the stock wall-wort), but as IronLion pointed out, it is not recommended to tap into the Sig 30 or 30.2's intenal power supply, as it uses two 12V SLAs (24V system) and you don't want to drain one SLA more than the other, as this will reduce battery life and it just not the best way to go.  It is much better to use a dedicated SLA battery for the dac, and I can work with you on making an enclosure that contains the battery, the On/Charge switch, the charger jack, etc.  Feel free to email me ([email protected]) to discuss.


I hope this info helps.  Take your time and decide what your budget is and what your goals are. 

Best regards,

Vinnie

[thedatabase]

This was exactly the kind of information I needed, thanks a heap for being so forthcoming --- I really don't want to let down any of the new components I'm thinking of buying; and having nagging doubts about my shiny new equipment wouldn't be much fun either!

Your suggestions I think have galvanized me into staying true to my original project:  I stumbled across RWA while reading about Gainclones!  I don't want to be that spoiled kid who gets a Rolls Royce and has no idea how to drive --- so maybe I should experiment a bit eh?

My current thinking is to go ahead ASAP and buy the Orbs + Gainclone + Scott Nixon UFO DAC combo I was originally looking at, and perhaps the TA-10 as well.  If I can't tell the difference between a TA-10 and the Gainclone through the Orbs then maybe they don't have the detail I'm looking for (or more likely my own ears don't have the detail  )

In a few months I can then revisit the whole RWA/Omega thing, hopefully with a bit more nous about me.  The Omegas in particular look like such beautiful kit it potentially could help with this elusive WAF quantity I've been hearing about  .

[kyrill]

vinnie
Omega P-Zoe system, where can i find info about it?
Googling like this: "Omega P-Zoe" only delivers one entree: this post

[JDK1]

Hi All:
Regarding the P-Zoe: From Louis’s Forum: http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=46734.20

"Great posts on this one and even though I didn't know about the tread, I have come up with a 3 piece system made for this. I originbally built it for my parents house as it needed to be compact. I call it The P Zoe. It is a pair of TS3 type monitors with a Deephemp Cube. The cube is 13 x 13x13. There is one finish and it's factory direct. This is really special at the price. It's all hemp and will be $1495 complete.
I think this will work out great for you. My deephemp subs blend in so well that I can't believe the synergy myself.

I will have pictures soon. Thanks, Louis"

I've got a pair of Deephemp Cubes on order to form a 2.2 system with my XLS - According to both Louis and Vinnie, matched with the Sig30.2 should be a killer...
- Jonathan

[Vinnie R.]

Hi JDK1,

Wow... two DeepHemp cubes! 

I have one here on test and I am blown away by it... but stereo subs is always better!

Yes, according to Louis the P Zoe will include one DeepHemp cube sub and a pair of smaller bookshelf speakers (rear ported, with the same 4.5" hemp driver used in the Super 3 and Super 3 XRS).  I believe the speakers are 15" tall, 6.5" wide, and 11" deep.  I did convince him to make it available in least 2 different finishes (a lighter finish and a darker finish) and these are very nice wood vaneers.

The DeepHemp Cube alone should be priced over $1500.. it is that good!  It is all about sounding great for 2-channel music... not HT explosions and "boom."  It is sealed, and very fast and punchy.  As always, the build quality is fantastic.

Hi Kyrill and all,

Louis just needs to get pictures and details on his website. 

I've got a pair of Deephemp Cubes on order to form a 2.2 system with my XLS - According to both Louis and Vinnie, matched with the Sig30.2 should be a killer...

JDK1,

Please let us know when you get those DeepHemps!  Also, with the Signature 30.2, you can connect to the DeepHemp using the speaker level connections... this is the only sub I've tried that works like this! 

Best regards,

Vinnie

[texendo]

Vinnie,

How does the Omega DeepHemp Cube mate with the Devore Nines?

[Vinnie R.]

Vinnie,

How does the Omega DeepHemp Cube mate with the Devore Nines?

Very well!     

[OrJazzM]

 

Also, with the Signature 30.2, you can connect to the DeepHemp using the speaker level connections... this is the only sub I've tried that works like this! 

Best regards,

Vinnie

Vinnie, could you elaborate on this? Thanks.

[Vinnie R.]

 

Also, with the Signature 30.2, you can connect to the DeepHemp using the speaker level connections... this is the only sub I've tried that works like this! 

Best regards,

Vinnie

Vinnie, could you elaborate on this? Thanks.

Sure... the plate amp of most active subwoofers tie the Left Negative (L-) and Right Negative (R-) speaker level input jacks together (to the common GND of the plate amp). 

As mentioned in the Signature 30.2 Owner's Manual:

IMPORTANT: The negative (-) speaker outputs of both channels of your Signature 30.2 stereo amplifier DO NOT share a common ground!  Therefore, NEVER connect the speaker outputs to a subwoofer or any other device that has speaker-level inputs that have a common ground.  In other words, do NOT connect the negative (-) speaker binding posts together.  Doing so will short the outputs of the amplifier stage and cause your Signature 30.2 to shut down if it overheats.

What is very nice about the plate amp used in the Omega Deep Hemp sub is that it does NOT tie the L- and R- speaker level input posts together, so you can connect to it with the  Signature 30 or 30.2 using the speaker level connections.

Best regards,

Vinnie