[DustyC]

I noticed on stereomojo site that AVA had some products sporting a gold finish, and that they were seeking reaction. Did gold make the cut, or is it basic black? The site mentioned an all gold (champagne) finish but I didn't see a photo.
Thanks

[martyo]

There wasn't a clear favorite and many preferred the existing faceplates. From a cost standpoint it wasn't feasable. Recently Frank posted that there were still some of the prototypes he had made available. I liked the gold on gold too. It's funny, right after the show I inquired about replacing my faceplates with the gold on gold, I've always liked gold. Once I had the chance I couldn't justify the cost because it was just faceplates, had nothing to do with improving the sound.

[DustyC]

Yeah, I guess that makes sense. Better to put superior parts into the circuit than to spend a fortune on a fancy box. The gold looks nice but probably costs a lot more than black. I remember a plater telling me than the highest yield is with black anodizing vs. any other color, hence the price is lower per part.

[TomW16]

Once I had the chance I couldn't justify the cost because it was just faceplates, had nothing to do with improving the sound

I agree with you Martyo.  I would replace the face-plates if I had unlimited funds but since I don't, the black ones look just fine.  Good value is what I am after, which brought me to AVA electronics in the first place. 

Tom

[martyo]

Hey Tom,

Can you describe your custom 3-ways?

[TomW16]

Hey Tom,

Can you describe your custom 3-ways?

I would be happy to describe the 3-ways Martyo.  They started out in life as Ellis 1801s with the "a" crossover and were a huge improvement over my previous Mission speakers in clarity and refinement.  The only thing that I missed slightly from the Mission speakers was a touch of bass and only on certain recordings that I knew had additional information.  The 1801s went much deeper than I expected for a two-way but on a few recordings, I knew that there was more information that wasn't fully fleshed out. 

I contacted Dennis Murphy who designed the original 1801 crossover, and who is an outstanding gentleman by the way, and he agreed to design a new crossover to add a 10" Peerless woofer that he used in his MBOW1 3-way.  I was somewhat apprehensive since I didn't want to destroy the magic of the 1801s just add deeper bass capability and a 3-way crossover can be difficult to get right.  I needn't have worried as Dennis designed an awesome crossover and I ended up with exactly what I was hoping for.  All the clarity and refinement of the 1801s plus added bass reach.  Everything sounded cohesive without any indication that 3 drivers were playing separately.

I built custom cabinets that were as close as I could get to the baffle dimensions as the original 1801 speaker but tapered out to mate with the bass cabinet that housed the Peerless woofer.  I also took the opportunity to isolate the top and bottom cabinets with Sorbothane and a 1 inch thick steel plate between the cabinets.  This is to eliminate vibrations from the base cabinet transmitting to the upper cabinet.  I don't know if it works since I didn't try it without but I can't argue with the results.

Here is a picture of the finished product

[martyo]

Ahhhh, They kinda look a little familiar.   

Very nice.    YOU built the cabinets! Are there some huge French caps in that crossover? I think I ran across some pictures in the gallery here of the building process. I would think our speakers probably share many sonic characteristics. I bet your speakers really disappear with those domes. And you're driving them with the 350? Nice set-up.

[TomW16]

Thanks for the compliment Martyo.  Yes, I made the cabinets but they didn't go together in a weekend  .  You may have run accross my thread a while ago where I showed the Solen caps for the crossover, some of which were just a little smaller than soda cans.  The crossover is complex and for a simpler is better guy like myself, I was amazed that the sound was so cohesive and transparent.  It's a pleasure listening to them. 

I would love to have the Salk HT3s but kits are not offered and I didn't (and still don't) have the cash to afford them.  I did (and still do) frequent Jim Salk's circle to obtain inspiration.  I think in both of our speakers, form follows function and the remblance of our speakers is close.  I only hope that I am getting sound as good as you are with your speakers and electronics. 

Cheers,
Tom

[martyo]

Hey Tom, you've got a PM.

[TomW16]

Thanks Brian.  No plans to give up the speakers any time soon.  I'm waiting for the rave reviews on the new AVA differential electronics so that I can pickup an "old" used hybrid DAC for a song. 

Cheers,
Tom