Help me name a new product line please!

avadoro · « **Reply #180 on:** 28 Jun 2008, 08:31 pm »

I think that " BLACK STAR " could also be a nice name.

It recalls the OmegaStar line, and black is the actual color of AVA gear.

It creates a rather impressive image.

Papajin · « **Reply #181 on:** 28 Jun 2008, 08:34 pm »

I'm a simple guy. I'd go with something like:

Van Alstine S²Z

I mean one of the first phrases you used to describe this new pre was that there was zero (hence the Z) solid state (hence the S² for S squared) sound to it.

patrickperry · « **Reply #182 on:** 28 Jun 2008, 09:23 pm »

Quote from: avahifi on 24 Jun 2008, 01:48 pm

We have perfected new solid state preamps, DAC, and power amps.

From your description of the new line of products, sounds like you've achieved something no other SS designer/manufacturer been able to do. Thus I propose..

Vanguard Series by Van Alstine
Vanguard Amp
Vanguard DAC
Vanguard Pre

van·guard /ˈvænˌgɑrd/ 1. the forefront in any movement 2. any creative group active in the innovation and application of new concepts and techniques in a given field

Also, the similarity in pronunciation of Vanguard and Van Alstine. People only need to hear the name once to remember and associate the new Vanguard Series to Van Alstine.

Good luck with your search on whatever name you decide to go with.

rlee8394 · « **Reply #183 on:** 29 Jun 2008, 03:32 am »

Quote

Remember we are shipping the new circuits in OmegaStar preamps and DACs right now at the old prices. You can be the first on your block to experience something completely different.

Frank, how about some specifics on the new circuits. How are they different? Assuming these new units are shipping at the old prices, they can't be the new differential solid-state series as you have already priced those. Are they still op-amp based, new current buffers, etc.?

Thanks,
Ron

jeffjazz · « **Reply #184 on:** 29 Jun 2008, 06:32 am »

Couple more.

What the heck

Van Alstine - Climax

Van Alstine - Conquest - success in mastering something difficult;
i.e mastering the the truth in audio.

JakeJ · « **Reply #185 on:** 29 Jun 2008, 08:49 am »

Hi Frank and Company,

Kudos to you for these new and improved circuits.

In keeping with your current leanings I suggest the "Audio by Van Alstine PenUltimate Series"

From Wikipedia:
The ultimate is the last and final item in a series. The related words penultimate and antepenultimate refer to the second-to-last and the third-to-last item in a series, respectively.

Thus the "PenUltimate Series" signifies that this is ultimately the best available at current technology standards and acknowledges that technology continually evolves. Implying that, perhaps, the ultimate has not yet been reached.

Yes, I am typing a capital "P" and "U" in penultimate as that is how I imagine it on the faceplate.

C'mon Lucky Stars! Papa needs a new DAC!

Thanks for your time, Frank.

Regards,
Jake

Rocket_Ronny · « **Reply #186 on:** 29 Jun 2008, 01:57 pm »

I don't know if these have already been named, I don't have the time to go over all the posts but,

The "Alstine Transcend" since this new amp transcends what has been possible with solid state designs.

or "Vanishingpoint"

or "Alstine Paradign"

Best to you on your new design.

Rocket_Ronny

Ryerse Rocks · « **Reply #187 on:** 29 Jun 2008, 02:06 pm »

Woa, hold on here guys. Let's wait and see if this stuff is any good before we start bestowing glowing praise on something that most of you haven't even heard yet. A cynical approach of course, but we need the Ralph Nader's of the world to keep things in check. Let's tone down the premature accolades and simply address this new line with an appropriate name.

avahifi · « **Reply #188 on:** 29 Jun 2008, 02:32 pm »

Just a bit more info about the new solid state product line.

First of all its a two channel stereo line for starters. Of course I have bridged mode (differential) versions running too, but they will be along a bit later as there is more special hardware needed for them.

The new solid state line gives the first generation bridge mode prototypes a real run for their money, and makes so much sense for value. The bridge mode versions are even better yet, but not by huge leaps and bounds.

What we have done with one hell of a lot of work, math, experiments, debugging, and listening is reduce the distortion by a couple three orders of magnitude, increase the internal bandwidths, make the feedback loops way faster, and remove any trace of "that's really nice for solid state" sound. Biasing changes, active parts changes, passive parts changes, feedback changes, and more.

Musicality? Ask Wayner, he has heard the result, and not even the best examples yet.

Regards,

Frank Van Alstine

P.S. Please keep up the kind and good work in suggesting product line names.

Panelman · « **Reply #189 on:** 29 Jun 2008, 03:23 pm »

I also heard the new preamp last week and second what Frank says. The amount of detail that comes through is simply amazing both because of the detail that is available and because the balance is so correct, nothing is unduly emphasized. We listened to Paul Simon and Lady Smith Black Mambazo "Diamonds on the Soles of her Shoes" and the naturalness of the voices available on the recording is something I had not heard before. The character of the backup singers throaty delivery is something I have not heard before. Also the varied layers of the soundstage were very apparent and natural.

Listening to the equipment there wasn't any reason to think about the design, tubes vs. solid state, it was more a case of just being able to relax and enjoy because everything sounded so natural. I own Magnepan 1.6QRs and very much prefer their sound over voice coil speakers and usually try to mentally adjust when I hear new equipment not played through Magnepans but at Frank's the sound was so good, so right that I forgot all about making the mental adjustment I normally do.

Toka · « **Reply #190 on:** 29 Jun 2008, 03:29 pm »

Sounds good Frank...thanks for the info! Will these improvements spill over into the tubed designs too? I'll get started on some names already.

Wind Chaser · « **Reply #191 on:** 29 Jun 2008, 04:09 pm »

Frank

The more I think about this, if these products are as good as you say...

What's new? The sound! Zero "solid state" sound, you would never guess. We suspect they are more musical in the truest sense than any other solid state equipment in existence, price not an object. Not just an improvement, but a "fall out of your chair" experience. Very close to the sound of our more expensive tube and hybrid equipment, but much more affordable.

...then you've really created something puzzling or contradictory in nature. Solid state with zero solid state sound is one thing (others have made that claim) but entry-level priced solid state that doesn't sound like solid state is another matter.

If this is really so, then my best effort is the original name I suggested. To attain that level of performance by contradictory methodology combined at an entry-level price point is a bewildering mystery. Therefore what we have is an "Enigma" ...inexplicably 100% solid state.

TjMV3 · « **Reply #192 on:** 29 Jun 2008, 04:37 pm »

The Van Alstine Conduit Series

Your Connection To The Essence of Music!

strat95 · « **Reply #193 on:** 29 Jun 2008, 04:54 pm »

How about "ATOM" or "ATOM Series"?

Reason:

Here are a couple of definitions:

Atom - a hypothetical particle of matter so minute as to admit of no division.

Thus, no division between you and the music.

or

Atom - A part or particle considered to be an irreducible constituent of a specified system.

strat95 · « **Reply #194 on:** 29 Jun 2008, 05:04 pm »

How about "Unity"?

Definitions:

1. the state of being one; oneness.

2. a whole or totality as combining all its parts into one.

3. (in literature and art) a relation of all the parts or elements of a work constituting a harmonious whole and producing a single general effect.

Basically, the feeling created by listening to music through this gear provides a unity with the music/performance. All sense of solid state artifacts are eliminated... vanished.... bringing you ever closer to being one with the music.

strat95 · « **Reply #195 on:** 29 Jun 2008, 05:14 pm »

I think it would be a bad choice to go with "Ultimate" simply because you already have the "Ultra".

It will become confusing for the consumer to distinguish by these two names which version provides the best fidelity. Surely right now the Ultra gives the best fidelity (although Frank and anyone who has heard the latest solid state gear will have to confirm this). If the Ultra is still the best in terms of audio fidelity, what is one to think when they come across the name Ultimate... is it even better? That will vary from person to person and create confusion.

TV

alwayslearning · « **Reply #196 on:** 29 Jun 2008, 05:31 pm »

Nexus

Meaning "a connection, tie, or link between individuals of a group, members of a series, etc."

"the group or series connected"

Etymology: Latin, of nectere, to tie

It's short, to the point, and has a fine sound to the word as well.

Wayner · « **Reply #197 on:** 29 Jun 2008, 06:53 pm »

Panelman summed up a review for Frank's new stuff very well. I'm a designer, not a writer (as if you couldn't tell), and when I was at Franks a few weeks ago, he put on some Doc Sorenson on Telarc (CD) and it blew me away. As Panelman said, life like. My comment would be in regards to the bass line. Have you ever gone to hear a big band or an orchestra live in a wood floored ballroom? The bass gets into everything, not booming, but breathing a deep breath of life into everything. The floor moves with the music, the table and chair move with the music. Even the walls breath in and out. Each bass note is distinguishable and the midrange and highend just finish painting the musical, natural picture. It is just like real life.

Wayner

Tom Alverson · « **Reply #198 on:** 29 Jun 2008, 07:26 pm »

Given Wayner's review, maybe the new name should be the "Transporter" or maybe "Quantum Leap"

dB Cooper · « **Reply #199 on:** 29 Jun 2008, 08:00 pm »

Clef series

There's my shot.