[rustneversleeps]

I understand it's an AVA forum, but how many times do we need to talk about what each AVA piece sounds like comparing to the others?

We will never know by just talking about it. Let's talk about their circuitry, or some other audio related subjects.

[robinje]

I understand it's an AVA forum, but how many times do we need to talk about what each AVA piece sounds like comparing to the others?

We will never know by just talking about it. Let's talk about their circuitry, or some other audio related subjects.

I thought my last inquiry about the tape buffers was a pretty specific question about AVA preamp circuitry.  Is this not the type of discussion you would like to have? 

[rustneversleeps]

That would be exactly the kind of discussion I'd like to see, but how many response did you get. I don't track every one of them, however.

Room acoustic discussion, Turntable isolation, vintage audio restoration, collectable audio equipment, vintage compare to the current, personal audio experience, etc, are good discussion.

Things like "which one sounds better, T-8 or Ultra?" it seems old.

[martyo]

Room acoustic discussion, Turntable isolation, vintage audio restoration, collectable audio equipment, vintage compare to the current, personal audio experience, etc, are good discussion.

There are specific circles devoted to many of the topics you mention. They might get more in depth than we do here on non AVA specific's.

Things like "which one sounds better, T-8 or Ultra?" it seems old.

I must admit that the 2 questions I first have are, "How does it sound?" and "How much?" I would think new folks showing up and the many AVA owners out there that may be wondering about "mods" are very interested in what a piece of gear sounds like.

[I.Greyhound Fan]

Ok, does any one have a Bechmark DAC-1 pre?

http://www.benchmarkmedia.com/dac1pre/

It seems like a nice piece that can be both a DAC and preamp.  It has analog, digital and USB inputs and
also has XLR outs.  There is a great review in TAS on this little piece of equipment.

[rustneversleeps]

There seems to be endless discussion on "cable" in this forum other than "which AVA sounds better".

If we want to keep this forum AVA specific, I wish we, or Frank would discuss the AVA circuitry in more indepth fashion.

[Dan Kolton]

I.Greyhound Fan,
Ask Frank about the Benchmark.  I'll not put words in his mouth by telling you what I think he said.

[Wayner]

Ok, here is a neat little trick Frank told me about. On an EC preamp that has the EPL (external processor loop) you can hook 2 short cables up to the EPL output, but then switch the left and right channels of the cables to the EPL input. When you have the EPL button out you will hear stereo in the normal mode. When you push the button in, it will put the left channel program material into the right channel and the right channel program material into the left channel. A stereo reverse, if you will. A neat thing anyone can do with little or no cost (just an extra stereo patch cord.

Wayner

[sueata1]

Had a Benchmark Dac 1,,,

Insight wipes it out!!!

Mel

[rustneversleeps]

I thought Wayner's stereo reverse function was used back in the early 60's, my old Heathkit AA-151 has that function, mainly used for speaker troubleshooting.

[robinje]

Ok, here is a neat little trick Frank told me about. On an EC preamp that has the EPL (external processor loop) you can hook 2 short cables up to the EPL output, but then switch the left and right channels of the cables to the EPL input. When you have the EPL button out you will hear stereo in the normal mode. When you push the button in, it will put the left channel program material into the right channel and the right channel program material into the left channel. A stereo reverse, if you will. A neat thing anyone can do with little or no cost (just an extra stereo patch cord.

Wayner

That is a neat trick.  I just wonder what it would be useful for...

Edit:  Nevermind...  I guess 'rustneversleeps' just provided an example of usefulness of this function. 

[rustneversleeps]

A neat little trick for Empire turntable owner.

I've had the Empire 598 for quite sometime, and the motor made some noise while it's turned on. It's a normal kind of noise, thinking the motor being so heavy duty, it's bound to make some noise, right? The motor grommet isolators that came with the table were 40 years old, but still soft to the touch, so nothing's wrong, right?

Wrong. I decided to track down the original motor grommet isolators and bought some, and had them replaced. Guess what, the motor noise is less audible, it's still there, but I would have to put my ear a lot closer to the motor to hear it, it's almost inaudible.

The sound? It has been improved a bunch, more refined bass, less harsh treble, more punch and faster, I can call this night and day improvement.

Old school engineering work, that's what I like about vintage equipment, they are well engineered and well thought out. The company that make those isolators are specialized in vibration control, they make stuff for different industries, even for NASA. Now my Empire 598 is back to the original spec. as the day it left the factory.