Help me name a new product line please!

gjs_cds · « **Reply #340 on:** 24 Jul 2008, 02:19 am »

Hey Dennis--great to see you online. We actually met at a DC DIY event back a few years ago. Hung out w/ KenA a lot... It was the year they did that great Cap test--of which I could not consistently differentiate. Got to meet Darren K... Had a great time. (And have since relocated out of the DC metro area.)

For those who may not know--Dennis is a legit asset to the DIY (and greater 'audiophile') community. A prince of a guy who knows a heckuva lot about good loudspeaker design.

Congratulations on your Insight upgrade!

DMurphy · « **Reply #341 on:** 24 Jul 2008, 01:28 pm »

Thanks for the kind words. Too bad you've moved away from D.C. I hope to do another DIY event this October, hopefully with a controlled demonstration to see whether people can tell the difference between the sound of metal vs. paper or fabric drivers. Lots of noise out there about that, but not much light.

Wayner · « **Reply #342 on:** 13 Aug 2008, 07:44 pm »

I've just received a call from home that 2 packages have come via UPS, from Audio by Van ALstine.....Woopie!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

How can I stay here at work for another hour?

Wayner

dB Cooper · « **Reply #343 on:** 13 Aug 2008, 07:58 pm »

Quote from: Wayner on 13 Aug 2008, 07:44 pm

I've just received a call from home that 2 packages have come via UPS, from Audio by Van ALstine.....Woopie!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

How can I stay here at work for another hour?

Wayner

More like, how can you go to work tomorrow after being up til 3AM???

Wayner · « **Reply #344 on:** 13 Aug 2008, 08:43 pm »

That's right, I'm home! To my suprise, my 2 preamps are back! The T8 and all of it's glorious tubes (Sovetek 6N1P's and JJ ECC83S for phono) is back from a small repair (noisy something), and is such a fantastic marriage with the AVA170EX (In Dynaco Stereo 120 chassis). It makes me tear up when I hear my old favorites. This is a emotion machine combination, highly recommended with smaller efficient speakers like my Dynaco A25XL's.

The other preamp is the Insite EC preamp, freshly upgraded from Frank. I will save comments on this piece till I had some time with it, but I think we are going to have some fun, right into the weekend. The Insite 260EX amp hopefully will be here by Friday for a real stomping fun time.

For now the T8 is the center stage and I want to throw a couple of vinyls at it, then I'll switch over to the EC. I think supper is going to be late.

dbcooper, I have to go to work tomorrow......wait....I feel......a.......faint, yea that's it.....faint.

W aa

mark funk · « **Reply #345 on:** 13 Aug 2008, 09:42 pm »

Wayner, I would like to hear what you think about the deference between the all tub T-8 and the new Insite SS preamps. I have never heard Frank's SS stuff other then my old Dyna 416 and an old PAT-5 Super Fet.

Wayner · « **Reply #346 on:** 13 Aug 2008, 11:22 pm »

Yes, Mark I will try to tell you what is going on right now. I love the T8. It has incredible gain and it has a wonderful soundstage, blooming and dynamic with an incredible pace. You can feel the space of the recording but not harsh from either CD or vinyl.

Now for a brief what's going on with the new Insight EC. It took about 3 sides of LP's to notice that my soundfield was different. Almost slightly disappointing. I'm short one amp (one being upgraded) so I've been switching between the T8 and the Insight EC with my 170ex and also switching between the speakers (dynaco A25XLs and Paradigm 40v.3 studios). I put the EC on again with the Dynacos and for some dumb reason, thought to put an end to the speaker toe-in and aimed both of the suckers straight out.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>WE HAVE VINYL NIRVANA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I will let Frank explain this, cause I can't. I am going to start experimenting with toe-out which I think is unheard of. The EC has a tonal structure, that I'm not use to. I Know its transistor, but it sounds like tube, but it's fast like transistor, but bufferred like tube....and then there is the speaker thing. I didn't want to do it but it made me. And now we are into our 5th album. Roy Orbison's Mystery girl made me tear up. Now Thomas Dolby is doing the same thing to me. The Aliens Ate my Buick is a great album. Maybe tomorrow I will understand things better. I'm going to listen to one side of Bryan Ferry's Frantic and quit for the evening.

Wayner

rockadanny · « **Reply #347 on:** 14 Aug 2008, 12:27 pm »

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.

Wow - That you don't get paid. You are so well known and highly regarded I just assumed. And was surprised and very impressed to see this. Thank you for all of your contributions.

Wayner · « **Reply #348 on:** 18 Aug 2008, 09:43 pm »

Today we received the Insight 260EX power amp upgrade via UPS. It is just now playing and all sounds swell. Unfortunately in the Peoples Republic of Minnesota is really hot today and the AC is running, so getting to listen to fine points of the amp wont happen today. But I'm glad its back (with no scratches or dings) which shows the care your rebuild gets. Upgrading is very economical, produces less waste and you get a practically new unit, at least on the inside where it counts.

We'll start spinning some vinyl in a while. THANKS, FRANK!!!!!!

Wayner

avahifi · « **Reply #349 on:** 18 Aug 2008, 10:54 pm »

Remember that AVA upgrades include a new (transferable) three year parts and labor warranty too.

Regards,

Frank Van Alstine

philltubes · « **Reply #350 on:** 18 Aug 2008, 11:51 pm »

"The Black Hole" pulls you into the music. Or the "Galaxy" series, bigger than the Omega Star. Both are in keeping with the stars above.

Phill

Wayner · « **Reply #351 on:** 19 Aug 2008, 12:02 am »

I never thought that the amplifier would make that big of a difference. Great words that lasted only a few moments. The combination of the Insight EC preamp and the Insight 260EX power amp, in quick order have changed things here very quickly.

Why is it that great music makes one get soggy in the eyes? I played 4 albums tonight in spite of the AC running and had to leave the room about 5 times so the wife wouldn't see me. I'm a tough guy (kind of), but this stuff has broke me down. I have never heard vinyl or connected with it so much ever in my life. The music seeped into my mind and caused emotional upheaval, that I couldn't control. The speakers disappeared, leaving such a natural real soundstage that could pound the tunes out in an instant and then play the softest passage in an instant. I have never heard vinyl in this way EVER before.

The play list is: 1) Rik Ocasek, This side of Paradise 2) Klaatu, Calling occupants of interplanetary craft. 3) GTR, GTR and 4) Andreas Vollenweider, Dancing with the Lion.

The system is: Technics SL-1200 with Audio Technica AT440MLa cartridge, AVA EC Insight preamp, AVA Insight 260EX power amp, Paradigm 40v.3 speakers.

I am drained. We also for some reason had the system CRANKED! I usually never do that. I just really can't explain much now. I'm going to shut everything off and go away.

W

plaf26 · « **Reply #352 on:** 19 Aug 2008, 02:49 am »

Great! Another 1200/440 guy! And a sentimentalist to boot! It's a great combination I too enjoy thoroughly through Frank's electronics. Keep up the good work.

oneinthepipe · « **Reply #353 on:** 19 Aug 2008, 04:06 am »

Quote from: philltubes on 18 Aug 2008, 11:51 pm

Or the "Galaxy" series, bigger than the Omega Star.

Reminds me too much of a '65 Ford.

oneinthepipe · « **Reply #354 on:** 19 Aug 2008, 04:07 am »

TjMV3 · « **Reply #355 on:** 19 Aug 2008, 02:18 pm »

Wayner, if you don't mind me asking.....

Is your Technics SL-1200 in stock form or is it one of those KAB Modded SL-1200s?

Also, is this one of the recent production Technics SL-1200s, or a much older model?

Big Red Machine · « **Reply #356 on:** 19 Aug 2008, 02:30 pm »

Quote from: Wayner on 18 Aug 2008, 09:43 pm

Today we received the Insight 260EX power amp upgrade via UPS. It is just now playing and all sounds swell. Unfortunately in the Peoples Republic of Minnesota is really hot today and the AC is running, so getting to listen to fine points of the amp wont happen today. But I'm glad its back (with no scratches or dings) which shows the care your rebuild gets. Upgrading is very economical, produces less waste and you get a practically new unit, at least on the inside where it counts.

We'll start spinning some vinyl in a while. THANKS, FRANK!!!!!!

Wayner

That large greasy fingerprint inside the amp is probably mine!

Wayner · « **Reply #357 on:** 19 Aug 2008, 02:50 pm »

TjMV3,

The Technics is stock with the exception of the mat sandwich. That is made with an .09" thk EPDM sponge material on either side of an .06" thk galvanized steel plate. It is in essence, a Faraday shield to keep stray magnetic fields away from the cartridge during play. There is zero hum, even at full volume.

Big Red: The prints probably added to the upgrade, Thanks! It's funny how 1996 stuff can be turned into state-of-the-art 2008 stuff. Upgrades are great and this one is a killer.

Wayner

TjMV3 · « **Reply #358 on:** 19 Aug 2008, 03:03 pm »

Quote from: Wayner on 19 Aug 2008, 02:50 pm

TjMV3,

The Technics is stock with the exception of the mat sandwich. That is made with an .09" thk EPDM sponge material on either side of an .06" thk galvanized steel plate. It is in essence, a Faraday shield to keep stray magnetic fields away from the cartridge during play. There is zero hum, even at full volume.
Wayner

Thank you, Wayner.

May I ask where you got this Mat? Who makes them and where could I purchase one?

It sounds like a nice Mat.

By any chance do you have some pics of this Mat?

Sorry to ask so many questions.

Wayner · « **Reply #359 on:** 19 Aug 2008, 03:20 pm »

The mat is a DIY. I made it myself.

Wayner