[Wayner]

Well, on the way home from cheese land (Wisconsin), me and the wife stopped by Frank's place. He was his usual gracious host and was most happy to have us hear the new Differential pre-amp. Zowie! The combo with the Salks was impressive. I would say Frank has made CDs sound like vinyl. In fact, I brought some vinyl over and we enjoyed the Edmond Fitzgerald sink again and listened to some America. Bass is a close to real live performance as I've heard. That is the definitive base line for the sound and the top end is fast, fast, fast. Then Frank put on some Doc Severnson on Telarc CD. Double Zowie! That would be dynamic range at lightning speed. Everything just sounded real.

Wayner

[JerryM]

Wayner,
Did you have the opportunity to listen using the new Transcendence Eight DAC?
Thanks,
Jerry

[Wayner]

Jerry,

I'm sorry that we only had an hour and 1/2 to listen to two different set-ups. No T8 audition this time. I may go visit soon again.

Wayner

[Dan Kolton]

Wayner,

Did you have any opportunity to compare the differential set-up to the Ultra?  Frank wasn't set up for that at AudioKarma.  I won't repeat his comment on the comparison.  Were the two set-ups you listened to the Differential Ultra, and the Omega Star?  Any comments on the comparison?

[Wayner]

I listened to the Differential/DAC preamp for quite a while. Again, this system (and concept) though not new (Frank offers a phase inverter all ready), the preamp/phase inverter/DAC is a new approach. The impact is startling and the distortion is gone. The bass line is as real as I've heard, not just boom, boom, boom like from other audio manufacturers, but actual bass notes distinguishable between each other.

The other system I heard was a prototype. In fact, he's got a bunch of prototypes going. Of course this is nothing new because Frank is always working on new things or at least trying out new things. He is always looking for ways to improve performance.

As far as me commenting on a comparison of components from different family lines, I really can't. First, the price point between the Ultra and Differential and the goal of the 2 very different product lines are not apples and apples. I think the people who would be interested in either product maybe so for so many different reasons. I'll leave that up to Frank to comment on the virtues of each system. I don't even have an Ultra, it's out of my budjet for the time being and I don't need 3 preamps.

I guess the real message is that Frank is burning the mid-night oil and is really getting into some neat stuff. If it all works out in the end, we all benefit by becoming a customer of some very forward thinking audio designs.

Wayner 

[JerryM]

Wayner,

What a perfect review! Your candor shows through your words.    How very cool!!!

Thanks for sharing,

Jerry

[Toka]

As far as me commenting on a comparison of components from different family lines, I really can't. First, the price point between the Ultra and Differential and the goal of the 2 very different product lines are not apples and apples. I think the people who would be interested in either product maybe so for so many different reasons. I'll leave that up to Frank to comment on the virtues of each system.

I don't want to speak for Dan, but I think he was asking about the "regular" Ultra setup compared to OmegaStar differential setup (which would be very close in price). Thats sorta my curiosity itch at the moment as well...but if you didn't get a chance to listen to both in the same setting, its probably best to leave that hornet's nest to Frank, Larry, and crew.  Thanks again for your report! Now, whats this prototype...

[Dan Kolton]

Toka speaks for me correctly.

[Wayner]

Unfortunately, I didn't have time to listen to other products. Frank was very excited with his new Differential preamp and we did the bulk of listening there. Half LP's and the rest CD's although he did fire up his tuner. I am thinking of a return trip in the not too distant future, when I can spend some more time listening to some of his other new products.

The other toys are still in the "hush" stage and really are just prototypes, but proves that Frank certainly is always eager to try new technologies and topographies in his designs. Perhaps after cost analysis, perceived market performance and fit (into the existing product line) will prove to be exciting for AVA fans. Now if the economy can co-operate a little............

Wayner 

[Wayner]

Well,

Frank has let the cat out of the bag on the new solid state preamp, DAC and poweramps. Go to his new topic and give it a name and win. My only comment and very short review of this piece (I did hear this piece as a proto-type) is............Nice Tubes! Sounds like vinyl!

Wayner  aa