AVA preamps

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robinje

AVA preamps
« on: 3 Oct 2008, 03:33 pm »
Anybody here ever compare the AVA preamps, particularly the Ultra SL, to the Modwright preamps?  The Modwrights cost a bit more, but I'm just wondering how they compare in terms of sound quality. 

Brett Buck

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Re: AVA preamps
« Reply #1 on: 3 Oct 2008, 10:28 pm »
Anybody here ever compare the AVA preamps, particularly the Ultra SL, to the Modwright preamps?  The Modwrights cost a bit more, but I'm just wondering how they compare in terms of sound quality. 

  Isn't Modwright one of the "Magic Cap" purveyors?

   Brett

Wayner

Re: AVA preamps
« Reply #2 on: 3 Oct 2008, 11:16 pm »
As an owner of 2 Audio by Van Alstine "Insight" preamps, I can only recommend them. Of course, I love vinyl and the phono section is glorious, but CD playback is fantastic. Make cd playback even better with an Insight DAC.

Wayner  aa

BrianM

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Re: AVA preamps
« Reply #3 on: 3 Oct 2008, 11:35 pm »
I can't comment on the Modwright preamps other than through hearsay (so I won't) but I can say that the AVA Ultra components deliver extremely uncompromising fidelity to the source.  They continue to blow me away.  Wayne's a vinyl guy, nothing wrong with that.  Personally I don't miss LPs at all because the AVA gear makes my CDs sound wet.  The immediacy is eerie, the frequency range and dynamics are (for all practical purposes) limitless.  If I knew I could have that in a preamp for well under $2 grand, I wouldn't think of paying more.

robinje

Re: AVA preamps
« Reply #4 on: 6 Oct 2008, 12:41 pm »
Anybody here ever compare the AVA preamps, particularly the Ultra SL, to the Modwright preamps?  The Modwrights cost a bit more, but I'm just wondering how they compare in terms of sound quality. 

  Isn't Modwright one of the "Magic Cap" purveyors?

   Brett

What is a "Magic Cap"?

BrianM

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Re: AVA preamps
« Reply #5 on: 6 Oct 2008, 01:12 pm »
I believe Brett is referring to capacitors of the boutique variety.

avahifi

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Re: AVA preamps
« Reply #6 on: 6 Oct 2008, 01:58 pm »
Capacitors who's claim to fame is that they are "good sounding."

I keep holding various brands of capacitors right up to my ear and for the life of me I can't hardly hear any difference in their sound.  Some however sound "squish" when you step on them, other go "crack".  And some electrolytics, when reverse polarized, go "BANG!!"  So maybe I am missing something.  :)

Regards,

Frank Van Alstine

thronbocaj

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Re: AVA preamps
« Reply #7 on: 7 Oct 2008, 02:17 am »
I've owned the modwright 9.0 se & have owned AVA's ultra & insight/omegastar gear.

IMO the omegastar pre I owned was better sounding than the Modwright.  But I did not have both pre's on hand at the same time to do a direct comparison.

robinje

Re: AVA preamps
« Reply #8 on: 7 Oct 2008, 08:49 pm »
Issue closed...  I just ordered an Ultra SL with phono and remote. 

 aa

Dan Kolton

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Re: AVA preamps
« Reply #9 on: 7 Oct 2008, 09:07 pm »
robinje,
You won't be sorry!

Wayner

Re: AVA preamps
« Reply #10 on: 7 Oct 2008, 09:19 pm »
Got it before the price increase too! You lucky dog.  :D

Wayner  aa

Toka

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Re: AVA preamps
« Reply #11 on: 7 Oct 2008, 09:26 pm »
Issue closed...  I just ordered an Ultra SL with phono and remote. 

Well played, sir...let us know what you think when it arrives!