Jaspal, what are your thoughts about your battery components?
There's a lot already been written (on AC) about the Altmann battery components. I think they are IMHO quite a cost effective way off getting nearly off the grid (completely if you use a macbook for example as transport). However, you have to get your own battery and charger and they don't look at that nice if I'm honest. So not WAF friendly. The amp has only 10wpc into 8 Ohm and 20 wpc into 4 Ohm ... so speaker choice can be a problem. I don't flip hifi components that often ... I bought the Altmann gear in 2007 and my former gear was bought in 1994. So I can't really compare to other similar components. However, again alot has been written about how they compete very easily with much more expensive components.
Can you hear the benefits of going off the grid?
Please share your experiences as well as pros and cons.
I have become a convert to battery power mainly for the black silent background. This enables one to peer deeper into the music and I feel it gives for me a more 3-D sound. Also, perhaps in addition this silent background results in better dynamics... voices and instruments hit you much quicker and with more impact. In the end it's more relaxing... one doesn't have to strain to listen to the music. However, you don't realise this until you have such battery operated components. I know for sure any future component upgrade will be done with a view to how it compares to off the grid components.
As for cons in the sound I'm not sure that for me there are any. Like I said I don't have much experience with different components. Apart from the sound I have to remember to recharge the battery, so that can be a con.
Recently I've been going to hifi shops to try out new speakers in the range of $4000 to $8000 or complete systems like Meridian active or Lyngdorf Dipoles and matched subs and amps costing around $16000. The cdp and amps used while at these shops were quite a bit more expensive than my Altmann products. Whilst there I always noticed the non-silent background ... as though there was some subtle interference in the sound. I would point this to the sales people in the shop but they couldn't understand what I was talking about.
Often I would return home and notice that my battery powered products (and my speakers) seemed to give me more satisfaction than the more expensive products in the shops.. just more relaxing. One exception was the all Lyngdorf system. This was the only product(s) where I immediately noticed the silent black ground.
In short off-the-grid has already left it's mark om me and something I would always consider fund permitting- That's why I'm looking to see if there is a cost effective to have an off-the-grid cd transport since pc audio is not for me at the present time.
jaspal
