[robinje]

From the Stereophile RMAF blog...



Here's the text that was posted with the photo...

"Here's a more modest system than some of the others featured so far that really nailed the raucous highs on a curious wind version of Revueltas' wild, ritualistic Sensemaya. Veteran high-end designer Frank Van Alstine was justly proud of his Ultra 550 hybrid power amp with its 300Wpc ($2395), Transcendence Eight vacuum-tube preamp ($1299 with optional remote and phono stage), and Insight Solid State DAC ($999). Paired with the Jim Salk Sound Veracity HT3 3-way loudspeakers with their 10" woofer ($4895), this system was making sounds worth checking out. "

Hey, Frank, what's with the 300wpc power spec on the Ultra 550?  Your website indicates 250wpc into 8 ohms.  The pic shows what must be an old prototype of alternative power amp face plates.  Can you confirm this and whether or not these are available on new amp purchases?  Anyway, the Stereophile text is quite complimentary on the overall sound quality when paired with the Salk speakers.  Man, your vehicle must have been REALLY loaded down with all that gear!  Your setup looks really nice.  Great work!

[dB Cooper]

I notice that the flagship HT3s seem to be connected with ordinary zipcord while the others (are those Songtowers?) are using welding cables.

[avahifi]

The "welding cables" were simply a outer plastic sheath from Parts Express slipped over Jim Salk's very ordinary speaker wires to eliminate lookers from casting disparaging remarks about our crummy speaker wires.

For more, see my post near the tail end of the Get Some Bluejeans Cables thread elsewhere on this circle.  The test used the bare naked 16 gauge zip cord from Home Depot vs: MIT cables.

http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=60159.msg539794;topicseen#new

Regards,

Frank Van Alstine

[mca]

How about the amp question Frank?

[martyo]

I'm not Frank but it's still rated at 250wpc, some have claimed it's more like 280.
And that is one of the faceplate prototypes from last year. That might have been Jim's 550 with the "double" faceplate.

[Listens2tubes]

The sound was clean, detailed and extended. Don Byron's Bug Music CD made the rounds and showed me what differences could be found among the better sounding systems at RMAF. The AVA/Salk combo exibited a clarity of the HF was uncanny and the first thing that struck me. All the power and dynamics of the piano were present as well as the rythm punch this recording presents. Frank and Jim were their usual affable selves making one and all feel welcome and comfortable. If you were there you know what I mean, if you weren't you need to make plans to attend next year.

[dB Cooper]

The "welding cables" were simply a outer plastic sheath from Parts Express slipped over Jim Salk's very ordinary speaker wires to eliminate lookers from casting disparaging remarks about our crummy speaker wires.

For more, see my post near the tail end of the Get Some Bluejeans Cables thread elsewhere on this circle.  The test used the bare naked 16 gauge zip cord from Home Depot vs: MIT cables.

http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=60159.msg539794;topicseen#new

Regards,

Frank Van Alstine

Hehe, counterfeit magic cables... I like it. Wonder how many of the gullible went home saying "Van Alstine finally got some good speaker cables...."