[bhobba]

Hi Hugh and All

The SB4 has just been released.  Guys are still trying to get around the exact differences, but a glaring one it is now 9V.  Although at present I am tending more towards the transporter as it obviates the need for a pre with digital sources, one never knows.  Can the Hologram be modified to output 9V?

Thanks
Bill   

[AKSA]

Bill,

Yes.  Current draw of the receiver is 550mA at 9V, compared to 745mA at 5V for the SB3. 

I like this new product, I particularly like the use of the Wolfson DAC and a backlit, TFT display on the controller.  This is very cool, particlularly for younger users.......   (Older, long sighted users like me will need to put on and take off spectacles to read the controller which could be a bind....)

I'm actually discussing this with Wayne of Bolder Cable right now!!  You can be sure that for US buyers the Ultimate Nirvana will be extended for this product, too, as will my own Hologram IV, I guess I'll call it!

Cheers,

Hugh

Hugh

[tonyptony]

Hugh, if this has been asked previously, I apologize. But I could not find any info on your web site for the Hologram. Is there any written material / pics for this?

[bhobba]

This is very cool, particularly for younger users.......   (Older, long sighted users like me will need to put on and take off spectacles to read the controller which could be a bind....)

Being an older short sighted guy I have the exact opposite problem - reading the display from where I sit.  The controller will be a great boon for me - even to the point where I will put off getting a transporter until it has similar features.  I am hopefully the elimination of the switching power suppleis will reduce the grunge of the digital outs - another option over a transporter is one of those new cool super dacs like the Steve Nugents formula one, the APL DAC1 (front runner at the moment), or Vinni's new NOD DAC and pre.  Not a big fan of NOS - much prefer up-sampling dacs.  Very impressed with those AKM DAC - people say very detailed and 3D, but cold and analytical - thing is I like cold and analytical - I call it 'transparent'. 

Thanks
Bill

[AKSA]

Tony,

Nothing on the website yet, because not yet available, but watch this space.......  VSonics, Hologram, these are yet to be released, but I have managed to get the Soraya out and done the deal with Wayne on the Nirvana regulators!

Cheers,

Hugh

[bhobba]

The controller will be a great boon for me - even to the point where I will put off getting a transporter until it has similar features.  I

Finally figured it out.  The new controller will work with the transporter.  Trouble is in buying a transporter you get the display and its controller which are now useless.  Hate paying for useless features.  Hope they bring out a version like the duet receiver.

Thanks
Bill

[Greg Erskine]

Hey Bill,

How are you? You'll be waiting forever at the rate you are going. The Transporter has lots of features you won't use, but the dual screens are not one of them. It's excellent being able to see track, album, artist and time to complete at a glance. I suspect the new gizmo is just so Slim Devices have the option to compete directly with the competition. (I suspect this direction has been set by Logitech who probably have more marketing nous). Luckily it also gives everyone the option to buy what they prefer.

Have you loaded SlimServer (or SqueezeCentre) and SoftSqueeze? This will let you get the hang of the interface.

Personally I like the remote and use it 95% of the time, in fact, I programmed one button to play random songs, very simple. So a fancy remote would be a waste to me.

Two things I bought on the spur of the moment, sight unseen, an AKSA amp and a Transporter. Best decisions I've ever made and they have paid themselves back many times over with thousands of hour of pleasure.

[bhobba]

You'll be waiting forever at the rate you are going. The Transporter has lots of features you won't use, but the dual screens are not one of them. It's excellent being able to see track, album, artist and time to complete at a glance.

Trouble is with my eyesight that may not be the case.  The new remote for me would be a real boon.  But point taken - only trouble is exactly when my fiances can afford it.  Right now I am thinking of a panny XR55 until my super comes through.

Thanks
Bill

[AKSA]

Hi Bill,

Interesting dilemma - could you please send me the addresses of all your fiances, and I will supply them each with a wishlist (CLK320 Benz, Moto Morini Corsaro 1200, Holiday to NYC, etc...) in the plaintive hope they can accommodate me too.......   

Yours in good humor!

Hugh

[AphileEarlyAdopter]

Not a big fan of NOS - much prefer up-sampling dacs.  Very impressed with those AKM DAC - people say very detailed and 3D, but cold and analytical - thing is I like cold and analytical - I call it 'transparent'. 

Thanks
Bill

Then, you need to try the Squeezebox, with the Behringer SRC2496 + Panny XR55.
Very detailed and Transparent. Maybe cold and analytical to some.

[bhobba]

Yours in good humor!

As always.  Ages ago I used to worry about typos in posts.  Now those that get through often creates unintended humor that more than compensates for it.

Thanks
Bill

[bhobba]

Then, you need to try the Squeezebox, with the Behringer SRC2496 + Panny XR55. Very detailed and Transparent. Maybe cold and analytical to some.

This similar is what I am initially considering.  My variation is a Steve Nugent pacecar on the Squeezebox to reduce jitter to inaudible levels.  But I eventually want to get away from digital amps.  I have heard them and they sound fine to me.  But guys like Hugh Dean, who has heard a lot more amps than me, have reservations about their musicality for long term enjoyment.  This is not to say I like coloured sound - just the opposite - I suspect the coldness of digital amplifiers is a form of distortion.  My ultimate aim is the Soraya:
http://www.diyaudio.com/forums/showthread/t-108756.html
'It did pretty much what all amplifiers should do - disappeared.'

That is what attracts me to Hugh's products - not cold, not musical, not any of the gush some reviewers go on about - simply disappearing.  My finances at the moment is the problem, as is deciding on my exact upgrade path as they slowly improve.

Thanks
Bill