My cans are getting me by...

gjs_cds · « **on:** 29 Dec 2008, 10:05 pm »

I get to take my family for an extended holiday between the fall and spring semesters--and while this is a great life perk, one of the things that I really do miss is my HiFi set-up. (Don't even get me started about the audio in the condo; it's a Philips sub/sat "home theatre" system.)

Fortunately, I brought my Sennheiser 600s and a Headroom Total AirHead amp. I'm currently at the local public library getting some work done--which got me to thinking... Is there any demand out there for a portable AvaHiFi headphone amp? (Frank's headphone-amp (in his preamps) are really, really nice--but "pocketable" they are not!) Seems to me that this could be a fun kit opportunity! (Wink wink, nudge nudge, say no more?)

dB Cooper · « **Reply #1 on:** 30 Dec 2008, 04:31 am »

Back in the days of the "Versa-Kit", AVA offered something along those lines (but not battery powered).
The concept of an AVA headphone amp makes me

cryoparts · « **Reply #2 on:** 30 Dec 2008, 04:50 am »

Quote from: dB Cooper on 30 Dec 2008, 04:31 am

The concept of an AVA headphone amp makes me

X2!

Peace,

Lee

bregez · « **Reply #3 on:** 30 Dec 2008, 03:54 pm »

I agree, It would be nice to take the headphone driver circuit from the ultra preamp series and place it in a reasonably priced kit. aa

Brad

Wayner · « **Reply #4 on:** 30 Dec 2008, 04:10 pm »

I don't think Frank's too interested in offering a kit anymore. The ones he has had have been discontinued.

Wayner

dB Cooper · « **Reply #5 on:** 30 Dec 2008, 04:21 pm »

Unfortunately, Wayner is probably right. The support involved is just not worth it. People today expect complexity and whiz-bang features that don't lend themselves to "kittable" designs, and also lack the time (and often, patience) to build the things. Today's consumer just wants to plug it in and turn it on. Also, some mfr's state that the cost of "kitting" the parts is almost as much as building it themselves.

I am in no hurry to replace any of my audio system- I have built the bulk of every system I ever had- first Dynaco, then Hafler, and finally Van Alstine. With the exception of the PAT5 and U70 kits, none of those options exist anymore. Dunno what I'll do when my current rig can no longer avoid the audio gear glue factory.

rcag_ils · « **Reply #6 on:** 30 Dec 2008, 07:21 pm »

The term "back in the days" gets thrown around quite often in the Audio message boards that makes me think that high end audio is a dying industry.

Many high end audio companies aren't like what they used to be, when the man behind the company is gone, it's gone, just take a look at AR, KLH, Advent, Threshold, Krell......and many, many others.

The lack of demand, high cost, and low expectation in audio quality from the general public, and change of living dynamic are what driving this industry down.

Back in the days, "kits" were sold to engineers, technicians, hobbyists with technical back ground, they were sold when electronics was young.

avahifi · « **Reply #7 on:** 30 Dec 2008, 08:08 pm »

I am working on a new little "all in one" Insight solid state line board right now. The board contains the power transformer, regulated power supplies, and stereo Insight line circuits. The audio section will also be able to be stuffed for an RIAA phono preamp, tape buffer, or headphone driver instead of line circuits (only one option per board).

Assuming that it works out as well as I hope it does, I will be thinking of offering it as a completely assembled and tested one board solution for some of your needs. Simply connect it to AC, your choice of inputs and volume/balance controls, and outputs in your choice of chassis. The board will be about 6" x 2.5" and will be an easy fit whereever you wish to use it.

Let me know if there is any interest. The price will be very reasonable, much much lower than a complete preamp.

Regards,

Frank Van Alstine

gjs_cds · « **Reply #8 on:** 30 Dec 2008, 08:25 pm »

Quote from: avahifi on 30 Dec 2008, 08:08 pm

I am working on a new little "all in one" Insight solid state line board right now. The board contains the power transformer, regulated power supplies, and stereo Insight line circuits. The audio section will also be able to be stuffed for an RIAA phono preamp, tape buffer, or headphone driver instead of line circuits (only one option per board).

Assuming that it works out as well as I hope it does, I will be thinking of offering it as a completely assembled and tested one board solution for some of your needs. Simply connect it to AC, your choice of inputs and volume/balance controls, and outputs in your choice of chassis. The board will be about 6" x 2.5" and will be an easy fit whereever you wish to use it.

Let me know if there is any interest. The price will be very reasonable, much much lower than a complete preamp.

Regards,

Frank Van Alstine

Uhm... Yes, Yes, and Yes. (!) The only limiting factor is the AC current. So it would be great for the office--but if I'm on holiday or am working in the lab, DC would be preferential. (At least to me.) However, if you're engineering says "AC is the only way"...then I'm sure I can adjust.

The only other thing is the size vs. features. At least in (my desired) application, I wouldn't care about features one bit. Nor inputs. Just a dumb-as-possible single-line-input to headphone output. Balance--who cares? Tone controls--who cares? Volume control is even optional (or not--whatever would sound the best; this is where you excel.)

The only additional "feature" that would be appreciated on a dedicated headphone amp is "crossfeed" that crosses a small % of left and right channels. Reason being is that extended use of cans can get audibly/mentally fatiguing. It was explained to me that this occurs because cans aren't natural, and the body expects a certain amount of cross-over. When this audible cross-over doesn't occur, it leads to fatigue. And typical to my fashion--I didn't believe it at first. Until I experienced it. Then--I believed it.

dB Cooper · « **Reply #9 on:** 30 Dec 2008, 10:37 pm »

Quote from: avahifi on 30 Dec 2008, 08:08 pm

Assuming that it works out as well as I hope it does, I will be thinking of offering it as a completely assembled and tested one board solution for some of your needs. Simply connect it to AC, your choice of inputs and volume/balance controls, and outputs in your choice of chassis. The board will be about 6" x 2.5" and will be an easy fit whereever you wish to use it.

Let me know if there is any interest. The price will be very reasonable, much much lower than a complete preamp.

Regards,

Frank Van Alstine

There is interest here!!!!

(Puts hand up emphatically)
My Versa-Kit line buffer still works well but there have been many upgrades since (I think what I have is Omega II.) Sounds like about the same size board. Too bad Radio Shack long ago discontinued the enclosure spec'd in the VersaKit days.... But I'll find a box for it.

dB Cooper · « **Reply #10 on:** 30 Dec 2008, 11:07 pm »

Quote from: gjs_cds on 30 Dec 2008, 08:25 pm

The only additional "feature" that would be appreciated on a dedicated headphone amp is "crossfeed" that crosses a small % of left and right channels. Reason being is that extended use of cans can get audibly/mentally fatiguing. It was explained to me that this occurs because cans aren't natural, and the body expects a certain amount of cross-over. When this audible cross-over doesn't occur, it leads to fatigue. And typical to my fashion--I didn't believe it at first. Until I experienced it. Then--I believed it.

gjs- If you don't have a Mac, this info won't be directly useful to you, but there is an Audio Unit plug-in called Canz3D which does the crossfeed in the digital domain. This allows you to control things like the size and acoustics of the virtual room, speaker location, listener location, and a lot more. It costs all of $12 and requires a host app like Jack (free) or Audio Hijack Pro ($32) to get ahold of the audio stream.

It isn't perfect, but then neither is stereo, and like all good effects, it can be turned off. It does cut down on the headphone-imaging fatigue you mention. Could be a good option for people using Mac-based music server setups (or laptops) with headphones. Seem to remember from my PC days a program called WinDVD that had something similar called Dolby Headphone which also worked pretty well (minus the customizability of Canz3D). FYI.

nathanm · « **Reply #11 on:** 30 Dec 2008, 11:24 pm »

Hmph, only 350 views on this thread. Is it too late to rename it "A Great Set of Cans!"?

gjs_cds · « **Reply #12 on:** 31 Dec 2008, 01:16 am »

Quote from: dB Cooper on 30 Dec 2008, 11:07 pm

gjs- If you don't have a Mac, this info won't be directly useful to you, but there is an Audio Unit plug-in called Canz3D which does the crossfeed in the digital domain. This allows you to control things like the size and acoustics of the virtual room, speaker location, listener location, and a lot more. It costs all of $12 and requires a host app like Jack (free) or Audio Hijack Pro ($32) to get ahold of the audio stream.

It isn't perfect, but then neither is stereo, and like all good effects, it can be turned off. It does cut down on the headphone-imaging fatigue you mention. Could be a good option for people using Mac-based music server setups (or laptops) with headphones. Seem to remember from my PC days a program called WinDVD that had something similar called Dolby Headphone which also worked pretty well (minus the customizability of Canz3D). FYI.

Wow--I happen to be bi-platform, but tend to use my MBP more than anything else. I've also got AHP, so I'll definitely give this app a look. Thanks so much for the heads-up; it sounds like it's a great product and a great answer to this can-fatigue phenomenon.

bregez · « **Reply #13 on:** 31 Dec 2008, 04:11 am »

Mr. Van Alstine,
I am confused as to the configuration options of the board.
Will it have a
linestage + (RIAA phono preamp, tape buffer, or headphone driver circuit)
or
just one of the following (linestage, RIAA phono preamp, tape buffer, or headphone driver circuit)
Both configurations would be a great entry level AVA product.

Brad

avahifi · « **Reply #14 on:** 1 Jan 2009, 03:34 pm »

One circuit configuration per board only.

Frank

Listens2tubes · « **Reply #15 on:** 2 Jan 2009, 06:01 am »

If it could run on DC it would be a great product for the Headfi crowd. Headphone users need great sounding portable gear.

Art_Chicago · « **Reply #16 on:** 13 Jan 2009, 02:22 am »

Quote from: avahifi on 30 Dec 2008, 08:08 pm

I am working on a new little "all in one" Insight solid state line board right now. The board contains the power transformer, regulated power supplies, and stereo Insight line circuits. The audio section will also be able to be stuffed for an RIAA phono preamp, tape buffer, or headphone driver instead of line circuits (only one option per board).

Assuming that it works out as well as I hope it does, I will be thinking of offering it as a completely assembled and tested one board solution for some of your needs. Simply connect it to AC, your choice of inputs and volume/balance controls, and outputs in your choice of chassis. The board will be about 6" x 2.5" and will be an easy fit whereever you wish to use it.

Let me know if there is any interest. The price will be very reasonable, much much lower than a complete preamp.

Regards,

Frank Van Alstine

Frank,
I am very interested as well, and AC should be fine for me.
What is the time frame for this unit to be offered? Also, I know it may be asking too much at this point, but... what is the price range for the unit with the Insight line circuts?

Thanks,
Art

avahifi · « **Reply #17 on:** 14 Jan 2009, 12:50 pm »

I am still plugging away on the PC card design, probably a month or so before I have prototypes done. I won't be sure of pricing until I get it all put together.

I am kind of wondering if there would be any interest in a new version of the RB (Real Basic) preamp with Insight circuits. Just a precision volume control, precision balance control, three sets of inputs selected by pushbuttons, and phono and remote options (and a great headphone circuit too).

Regards,

Frank

jmc207 · « **Reply #18 on:** 14 Jan 2009, 01:29 pm »

Quote from: avahifi on 14 Jan 2009, 12:50 pm

I am kind of wondering if there would be any interest in a new version of the RB (Real Basic) preamp with Insight circuits. Just a precision volume control, precision balance control, three sets of inputs selected by pushbuttons, and phono and remote options (and a great headphone circuit too).

Regards,

Frank

Yes, I'm actually interested in both ideas, the board kit and the RB preamp.

Art_Chicago · « **Reply #19 on:** 14 Jan 2009, 04:51 pm »

Quote from: avahifi on 14 Jan 2009, 12:50 pm

I am still plugging away on the PC card design, probably a month or so before I have prototypes done. I won't be sure of pricing until I get it all put together.

I am kind of wondering if there would be any interest in a new version of the RB (Real Basic) preamp with Insight circuits. Just a precision volume control, precision balance control, three sets of inputs selected by pushbuttons, and phono and remote options (and a great headphone circuit too).

Regards,

Frank

Real basic preamp is just what I need! Until my kids grow up it is unlikely that I will upgrade to Ultra. It may be a real hit considering the situation in the economy right now. According to Jim Salk, he doubled the sales in 2008 due to more affordable SongTowers.