New to Van Alstine

Derockster · « **on:** 13 Feb 2009, 08:14 pm »

Hi guys,I'm about to collect my first piece of Van Alstine equipment.It is a pas 4i.The system is going to be a
Technics sl 1200 mk2 (ADC XLM 11 cartridge)
Pas 4i
rebuilt Altec 1568 mono amps (22 watts each)
Spendor sp100s
Any thoughts good/bad would be greatly appreciated.Regards derockster

martyo · « **Reply #1 on:** 13 Feb 2009, 08:18 pm »

Welcome and congrats on your 4i. My AVA journey started with a Super PAS3i and you can see what happened.

Derockster · « **Reply #2 on:** 13 Feb 2009, 08:22 pm »

Sweet

charmerci · « **Reply #3 on:** 13 Feb 2009, 08:31 pm »

Maybe you already saw this?

http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=42979.0

Derockster · « **Reply #4 on:** 13 Feb 2009, 11:04 pm »

My initial thoughts on the Pas 4i.It has now been in the system for 30 minutes and the sound tonally is identical to my Tom Tutay built passive preamp and to me that's saying quite a bit in favor of the Pas 4i.This preamp is the quietest by far that I've heard thus far in my analog systems.This is shaping up to be a very long listening session tonight.Any cable recommendations guys??Regards

rcag_ils · « **Reply #5 on:** 13 Feb 2009, 11:28 pm »

Radio Shack brand patch cable.

oneinthepipe · « **Reply #6 on:** 14 Feb 2009, 12:18 am »

Several forum members use Blue Jeans Cables interconnects and speaker wires. They appear to be good quality and reasonably priced. I don't know about the spacing of the jacks on a Super PAS 4i, however, and the BJC interconnect connectors are too large to use on my Super 70i because of the space between the input jacks.

Listens2tubes · « **Reply #7 on:** 14 Feb 2009, 01:33 am »

Welcome, I started with a Pas 4i which Frank upgraded to the first version of the Transcendence Eight. I am an admitted tube roller but never felt the need with the 4i. It's a real compliment and proof of design/worth that it compares to your passive preamp. As it settles into it's setup you'll find even more pleasure from it, I'm sure.

Enjoy!

Derockster · « **Reply #8 on:** 14 Feb 2009, 02:13 am »

Thanks guys for all the comments.It truly is a nice preamp.It's almost as if it has no sound of it's own.It adds nothing and takes nothing away from the music.It's as if it's not even in the system chain.It leaves me to wonder how Mr.Van Alstine's amplifiers sound. Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmm

oneinthepipe · « **Reply #9 on:** 14 Feb 2009, 03:12 am »

Quote from: Derockster on 14 Feb 2009, 02:13 am

Thanks guys for all the comments.It truly is a nice preamp.It's almost as if it has no sound of it's own.It adds nothing and takes nothing away from the music.It's as if it's not even in the system chain.It leaves me to wonder how Mr.Van Alstine's amplifiers sound. Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmm

They don't.

gjs_cds · « **Reply #10 on:** 14 Feb 2009, 03:21 am »

Quote from: oneinthepipe on 14 Feb 2009, 03:12 am

Quote from: Derockster on 14 Feb 2009, 02:13 am
Thanks guys for all the comments.It truly is a nice preamp.It's almost as if it has no sound of it's own.It adds nothing and takes nothing away from the music.It's as if it's not even in the system chain.It leaves me to wonder how Mr.Van Alstine's amplifiers sound. Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmm

They don't.

Exactly!

dB Cooper · « **Reply #11 on:** 14 Feb 2009, 07:59 am »

****-eatin' grin is the usual reaction.

Derockster · « **Reply #12 on:** 14 Feb 2009, 07:04 pm »

Almost 1 day after receiving my Pas 4i and I'm still in awe of it.The one thing I have found scary about this preamp is one could sit and listen to it for hours on end.I didn't get to bed until 2am this morning(not healthy at all)For lack of a better way of saying it the "sound"of this preamp is so non fatiguing,smooth, relaxed, airy yet musical and revealing.I'm running Mullard NOS tubes in mine and am loving it.I can safely say this is yet another part of my system that's staying.Does Van Alstine make interconnects?Thanks for a great product.Regards Cleaton from Barbados

WGH · « **Reply #13 on:** 14 Feb 2009, 07:59 pm »

Quote from: Derockster on 14 Feb 2009, 07:04 pm

Does Van Alstine make interconnects?

Those are fightin' words around here pardner.

Actually, no, AVA does not make any kind of cord.
Cables from Blue Jeans Cable are very popular and work well with AVA gear.

Wayne

Derockster · « **Reply #14 on:** 14 Feb 2009, 08:05 pm »

Sorry didn't mean to start any wars.

WGH · « **Reply #15 on:** 14 Feb 2009, 08:17 pm »

Quote from: Derockster on 14 Feb 2009, 08:05 pm

Sorry didn't mean to start any wars.

Don't worry, we always check our weapons at the door before entering "Frank's Place".

Also check out Monoprice for cables. I have bought a lot of stuff from them and have found their quality to be excellent.

Wayne

rajacat · « **Reply #16 on:** 14 Feb 2009, 11:32 pm »

Quote from: Derockster on 14 Feb 2009, 07:04 pm

Almost 1 day after receiving my Pas 4i and I'm still in awe of it.The one thing I have found scary about this preamp is one could sit and listen to it for hours on end.I didn't get to bed until 2am this morning(not healthy at all)For lack of a better way of saying it the "sound"of this preamp is so non fatiguing,smooth, relaxed, airy yet musical and revealing.I'm running Mullard NOS tubes in mine and am loving it.I can safely say this is yet another part of my system that's staying.Does Van Alstine make interconnects?Thanks for a great product.Regards Cleaton from Barbados

Hi,

I'm new to AVA too.

In fact UPS dropped off an used Transcendence T7 last Thursday that I bought directly from Frank. Like you, I was up till 2am last night perusing my music collection, losing track of time and today I have sleep deprivation.

I suspect that you snared the P4i that was on Audiogon recently....great price and score.

Other than the factory warranty, I doubt that there's much difference between your 4i and my T7.

Happy listening,

Roy

Derockster · « **Reply #17 on:** 14 Feb 2009, 11:52 pm »

Hey Roy let me extend a warm welcome to you.The 4i I have was bought right here in Barbados from another audiophile.This was actually built for him from scratch by Van Alstine.Hope you enjoy your purchase as much as I'm enjoying mine.Warm Regards D

Art_Chicago · « **Reply #18 on:** 15 Feb 2009, 12:11 am »

Quote from: rajacat on 14 Feb 2009, 11:32 pm

Hi,

I'm new to AVA too. In fact UPS dropped off an used Transcendence T7 last Thursday that I bought directly from Frank. Like you, I was up till 2am last night perusing my music collection, losing track of time and today I have sleep deprivation. I suspect that you snared the P4i that was on Audiogon recently....great price and score. Other than the factory warranty, I doubt that there's much difference between your 4i and my T7.

Happy listening,

Roy

Roy, congrats with the T7! That was a quick move! I guess it took you only two hours to make the decision! I was still thinking about it when Frank announced that it was sold ! Enjoy!

rajacat · « **Reply #19 on:** 15 Feb 2009, 12:50 am »

Quote from: Art_Chicago on 15 Feb 2009, 12:11 am

Quote from: rajacat on 14 Feb 2009, 11:32 pm

Hi,

I'm new to AVA too. In fact UPS dropped off an used Transcendence T7 last Thursday that I bought directly from Frank. Like you, I was up till 2am last night perusing my music collection, losing track of time and today I have sleep deprivation. I suspect that you snared the P4i that was on Audiogon recently....great price and score. Other than the factory warranty, I doubt that there's much difference between your 4i and my T7.

Happy listening,

Roy

Roy, congrats with the T7! That was a quick move! I guess it took you only two hours to make the decision! I was still thinking about it when Frank announced that it was sold ! Enjoy!

Yeah, that was quick. Actually I've been contemplating a new pre for some time. Ever since I got my Heathkit W5m monoblocks I felt that I needed a unit with more gain. In addition, for a long time I've been needing more connection options and a better phonostage. So.....when this T7 became available I jumped for it because it satisfied my functional needs plus it was an upgrade in sound quality although my previous pre was no slouch in that department. It balances out my system nicely providing a dose of driving bass and a shot of testosterone.

It certainly is a detail hound hunting down heretofore unnoticed sounds in the tall grass . Yesterday I was listening to the Bill Evans Complete Vanguard Recordings disk 2 and I heard some voices which I thought were coming from outside the house but they were part of the recording and they sure sounded real.

-Roy