Help me name a new product line please!

gander2 · « **Reply #320 on:** 10 Jul 2008, 04:10 am »

Congrats! Maybe I missed it, but when will these wonders be available to buy? Inquiring minds want to know...

Gary

dB Cooper · « **Reply #321 on:** 10 Jul 2008, 09:53 am »

Quote from: avahifi on 3 Jul 2008, 09:12 pm

For your information, the contest winner has selected a new Insight DAC. Good fortune for him, he already owns an AVA Omega III preamp and power amp. We won't come out too bad on this I bet. As soon as he hears the new DAC he will have the preamp and amp back for an Insight upgrade.

Regards,

Frank Van Alstine

Congratulations to the winner. That was a generous prize, Frank. All SalkSound had for the winner (me) of the Songtower speaker naming contest that inspired this one was a two-sizes-too-small t-shirt.

gjs_cds · « **Reply #322 on:** 11 Jul 2008, 02:32 am »

Quote from: dB Cooper on 10 Jul 2008, 09:53 am

Congratulations to the winner. That was a generous prize, Frank. All SalkSound had for the winner (me) of the Songtower speaker naming contest that inspired this one was a two-sizes-too-small t-shirt.

As Frank has already suggested--he'll get his profit out of me! In any event, Mr. Van Alstine has been exceedingly gracious with his generosity, and I'm absolutely excited to hear the DAC. I've already updated my transport, and made room on my rack.

Further--I've come to realize that all my existing gear is the (older) White on Black faceplates, not to mention the internal technology that is at least 1 generation old... I've also been eying the control amp for my office, and some upgrades for my home system (i.e., faceplates, internal updates, etc...) With tenure coming around, we'll be having a talk soon...

martyo · « **Reply #323 on:** 11 Jul 2008, 09:28 am »

Quote

Quote from: gander2 on 10 Jul 2008, 04:10 am
Congrats! Maybe I missed it, but when will these wonders be available to buy? Inquiring minds want to know...

Gary

They are available now, in fact, that is what he has been shipping for awhile.

avahifi · « **Reply #324 on:** 11 Jul 2008, 05:43 pm »

Heads up gjs_cds, your Insight DAC is on the way to you via insured UPS today!

Enjoy,

Frank Van Alstine

Wayner · « **Reply #325 on:** 11 Jul 2008, 06:05 pm »

Quote from: avahifi on 11 Jul 2008, 05:43 pm

Heads up gjs_cds, your Insight DAC is on the way to you via insured UPS today!

Enjoy,

Frank Van Alstine

You Lucky Dog!!!!!!

We will all expect a full report! Happy landing!

Wayner

martyo · « **Reply #326 on:** 11 Jul 2008, 06:32 pm »

What I think is so cool, or ironic, is that the first posts I remember from Greg around these parts is his lamenting that Frank wasn't keeping pace with the digital end of things in his DAC's. I think he wondered why no 24/196.......but he was very complimentary with Franks other work and engineering. There was a discussion..........Then a few months later after researching and listening his opinion had maybe changed a little. Now he owns one of those DACs, of course with the Insight improvements. I hope I am remembering it right. Until I got my DAC I never believed all the information that was on the vinyl was on the disc.

Enjoy

gjs_cds · « **Reply #327 on:** 12 Jul 2008, 12:24 am »

Quote from: martyo on 11 Jul 2008, 06:32 pm

What I think is so cool, or ironic, is that the first posts I remember from Greg around these parts is his lamenting that Frank wasn't keeping pace with the digital end of things in his DAC's. I think he wondered why no 24/196.......

Hey Martyo---For the record, check that thread again. You'll see that I ceded my point to Frank quite a long time ago. (And as a result, have just decided--as a matter of principle--to never question his authority again. It's tough to go against a track-record such as Mr. Van Alstine's... and I just finally realized that I was outclassed in every way.)

In short--I was questioning why higher sampling and bit-rates weren't used in AVA products. After all--increase the digital resolution should make the signal more analog-like, thereby increasing the sound quality. I'm a professor (speech science), this is a theory, and it seemed to have a certain amount of face validity.

Right up until the point I read an excellent peer-reviewed scientific article that dealt with this very subject. The methodology used a double-blind methodology that compared redbook vs. the 24/196 format on a variety of recordings (of different qualities) over a variety of "hi-fi" systems (of different qualities) with over 1,000 research participants (if I recall correctly).

The results were clear. Nobody (except 4 or 5 participants) could tell a difference between the two formats at reasonable listening levels. The only times that people could differentiate between the two formats (reliably) was at unreasonable listening levels. (Which would have produced permanent sensori-neural hearing loss, thus making it a moot point.)

After reading that--I contacted Frank personally, ceding my point and offering my apology. (I also posted on the thread.) I also sent him a copy of the article (in PDF format). What I got from the experience, other than an ass-whoopin', was the realization that the analog circuitry in a DAC may be more important than the chipset itself. And the funny thing is--Frank knew this all along.

I could be persuaded to post said article someplace, if there is interest. Feel free to reply or send me a PM if you're interested.

gjs_cds · « **Reply #328 on:** 16 Jul 2008, 11:21 pm »

It. Has. Arrived.

Gotta put my kids to bed. *swears* Will post later...

konut · « **Reply #329 on:** 19 Jul 2008, 01:22 am »

Still no pricing on this DAC on the AVA website. Did I miss the price announcement on this, or any of the Insight components for that matter?

avahifi · « **Reply #330 on:** 19 Jul 2008, 05:06 pm »

The Insight products are all priced the same as the previous generation OmegaStar products for the time being. Prices will have to go up in about 6 weeks.

Regards,

Frank Van Alstine

DMurphy · « **Reply #331 on:** 23 Jul 2008, 05:15 pm »

Hello Everyone. I'm new to this circle and wanted to be perhaps the first owner to report on the Insight power amp. I think I'm the first to receive one. I design speaker crossovers for individuals and for Jim Salk. Although I don't accept payment for any of that work, several years ago someone insisted on sending me a Hafler amp in appreciation for crossover work I had done. It was a Van Alstine rebuild, and has spent many reliable hours doing subwoofer duty in my HT setup. I often have people stop by to listen to one of my speaker designs, and I've always used a big-name (and expensive) amp in the music system just so no one would claim that I was cheaping out in the electronics department. It sounded fine on most speakers, but really couldn't deliver the goods driving the Salk HT3 speaker, which is a very low-sensitivity design. It would often just give up and head for protection mode when I played Wagner at full cry. Very frustrating. Anyhow, Frank learned that I had one of his old Haflers, and very sternly admonished me to send it in for a redo. I wasn't sure what that involved, but Frank is not to be ignored, and I finally shipped it to Minnesota. Back it came a couple of weeks ago with the complete Insight upgrade. I got it into my music system a few days ago to test out a new 3-way design in comparison with the HT3. (I have a volume compensated A-B comparison preamp that allows for valid comparisons between designs of widely differing sensitivity.) After a few preliminary tracks, I gingerly placed my Wagner disc in the player, ramped up the volume, and waited for the HT3 to cut out. But--all I heard was the best sound I've ever experienced with the HT3. I stayed up way later than I should have Monday night listening and to and enjoying Frank's handiwork. Can I say that the Insight sounds better than other amps on less demanding loads and at lower volume? No, because I haven't conducted a valid controlled experiment, and those are the only kinds of results that count in my book. But I can say that the pricey big-name unit is now driving subwoofers, and the Insight isn't even breaking a sweat delivering the goods to my HT3. Thanks Frank!

BrianM · « **Reply #332 on:** 23 Jul 2008, 05:30 pm »

Wow. And what's the wattage of your amp?

DMurphy · « **Reply #333 on:** 23 Jul 2008, 05:55 pm »

Which amp? The one that can't handle the HT3's is 200 wpc. I've since seen many complaints about this particular amp not being able to handle 4 ohm loads. Frank will have to give you the specs on my Insight.
(Then I will carefully check to see whether they comply with the FTC's Power Output Rule.)

rockadanny · « **Reply #334 on:** 23 Jul 2008, 06:27 pm »

Quote

I design speaker crossovers for individuals and for Jim Salk. Although I don't accept payment for any of that work

(DMurphy)

Wow.

ArthurDent · « **Reply #335 on:** 23 Jul 2008, 07:07 pm »

Quote from: DMurphy on 23 Jul 2008, 05:15 pm

Anyhow, Frank learned that I had one of his old Haflers, and very sternly admonished me to send it in for a redo. I wasn't sure what that involved, but Frank is not to be ignored, and I finally shipped it to Minnesota. Back it came a couple of weeks ago with the complete Insight upgrade. I got it into my music system a few days ago to test out a new 3-way design in comparison with the HT3. (I have a volume compensated A-B comparison preamp that allows for valid comparisons between designs of widely differing sensitivity.) After a few preliminary tracks, I gingerly placed my Wagner disc in the player, ramped up the volume, and waited for the HT3 to cut out. But--all I heard was the best sound I've ever experienced with the HT3. I stayed up way later than I should have Monday night listening and to and enjoying Frank's handiwork. Can I say that the Insight sounds better than other amps on less demanding loads and at lower volume? No, because I haven't conducted a valid controlled experiment, and those are the only kinds of results that count in my book. But I can say that the pricey big-name unit is now driving subwoofers, and the Insight isn't even breaking a sweat delivering the goods to my HT3. Thanks Frank!

Geez Dennis - Frank hasn't even posted upgrade price on the Hafler rebuilds yet, hopefully it will be the same $300 noted for the std OmegaStar equipment. You are one lucky dog.

As noted elsewhere he just rebuilt mine last fall, and a friend shot me your post noting now he's going to 'have' to send his in for the 3nd time having had it upgraded twice already. This again speaks to Frank's genius & practicality that his gear is for the most part upgradeable as opposed to having to go out and buy new gear.

Quote from: BrianM on 23 Jul 2008, 05:30 pm

Wow. And what's the wattage of your amp?

If there's no change in the wattage the Hafler rebuilds run the same as the 260EX I believe, which was/is 130 watts pc into 8 ohms, or close to 260 into 4 ohms. (could be wrong, might be the 240EX which would be 125 watts).

Guess I'll just 'have' to buy an Insight so I can pull the Hafler out of the system to get it upgraded, again. Then I'll have a spare. Should make the STs sing even more. Great review, keep the info coming when you've done the other a/b & low level analysis.

Quote from: DMurphy on 23 Jul 2008, 05:55 pm

(Then I will carefully check to see whether they comply with the FTC's Power Output Rule.)

Now be nice

DMurphy · « **Reply #336 on:** 23 Jul 2008, 07:52 pm »

Quote from: rockadanny on 23 Jul 2008, 06:27 pm

Quote
I design speaker crossovers for individuals and for Jim Salk. Although I don't accept payment for any of that work
(DMurphy)

Wow.

Wow--I design stuff for Salk, or wow I don't get paid? if the latter, I have to maintain my amateur status to avoid any conflict of interest at work. It also helps me maintain a semblance of credibility. Well, maybe not.

avahifi · « **Reply #337 on:** 23 Jul 2008, 09:29 pm »

Your unit is an Insight 260, built into an old Hafler DH-220 chassis. It makes about 130 watts per channel into 8 ohms. We have no distortion specifications for it at all.

Regards,

Frank

Wayner · « **Reply #338 on:** 23 Jul 2008, 10:07 pm »

I'm sending amp (260ex) and preamp (EC) in this weekend....... Can't wait.........

Wayner

TomW16 · « **Reply #339 on:** 24 Jul 2008, 01:49 am »

Quote

Wow--I design stuff for Salk, or wow I don't get paid? if the latter, I have to maintain my amateur status to avoid any conflict of interest at work. It also helps me maintain a semblance of credibility. Well, maybe not.

For those that do not know Dennis Murphy's work, he has a web site www.murphyblaster.com that outlines some of his public designs. I am one of the individuals that have benefited from his crossover design expertise and generosity and I can assure you that Dennis's speakers with Frank's amplifiers are a combination that is pretty special.

Cheers,
Tom