Special AVA prices at the AKFest next weekend.

avahifi · « **on:** 27 Apr 2009, 02:18 pm »

If you are coming to the AKFest in Livonia, MI next weekend, bring money.

There will be special "one time only" deals available for attendees.

First, most of the AVA equipment on display will be available for sale and take it home with you at 20 percent off at the show.

Second, orders for new AVA equipment placed at the show will receive a 15 percent discount.

See you there at our huge first floor display shared with SalkSound.

Best regards,

Frank Van Alstine

MaxCast · « **Reply #1 on:** 27 Apr 2009, 02:25 pm »

Hi Frank, what models will you have at the show?

avahifi · « **Reply #2 on:** 27 Apr 2009, 05:58 pm »

I will have Insight+ and Ultra DACs, an Insight+ EC preamp with phono and remote, a T8 preamp with some prototype ideas (not for sale or ready yet), Ultra Double 550 and Double 350 amps, an Insght+ Bridge, an Insight Control Amplifier, an Insight 440 power amp, and a few more odds and ends. Jim Salk will also have his Ultra SL preamp, DAC, and Double 550 amplifier.

I will also have a new Ultimate 70 vacuum amplifier in our new AVA chassis, ready to produce, but the prototype will not be for sale there, still a bit of fine tuning needed for the metal work.

There will be plenty of things to listen to and look at. We have so much room this year the plan is to have three complete systems up and running, with listening time rotating between the three systems (HT4s, HT2 TLs, and Songtowers, and maybe more).

Regards,

Frank Van Alstine

mark funk · « **Reply #3 on:** 27 Apr 2009, 09:02 pm »

Frank, you going to use some of the old rope on one of the set ups?

Wayner · « **Reply #4 on:** 27 Apr 2009, 09:36 pm »

I see that Nate's website is up and running, hoping that he is open for business.

http://www.natesaudio.com/naproducts_t05.html

I met Nate this winter at Frank's and he demonstrated his new speaker, the T5. It is very compact, but delivers a big soundstage and the cross-over point is remarkably low. If you have a smaller speaker requirement, give this a consideration. Congratulations to Nate on his new product launch.

Wayner

Wayner · « **Reply #5 on:** 27 Apr 2009, 09:43 pm »

Oops! I hope I haven't spoiled the new U70 chassis, did I!

I thought that no news is good news. Oh well, just like the rest of my day

Wayner

avahifi · « **Reply #6 on:** 28 Apr 2009, 12:10 am »

Hi Wayne,

Kevin is having trouble putting #4 pims nuts into polished stainless. We will eliminate several fasteners on the next try and keep everything at #6 where necessary as those work fine. I will get back to you on this as soon as Larry has the new U70 up and running in the next couple of days.

By the way Dynakitparts' quote is way better than the one from Phoenix. We will go with them on this project. I think we will be able to come out with a $1599 finished price in gleaming stainless.

Regards,

Frank

turkey · « **Reply #7 on:** 28 Apr 2009, 01:38 pm »

Quote from: Wayner on 27 Apr 2009, 09:36 pm

I see that Nate's website is up and running, hoping that he is open for business.

http://www.natesaudio.com/naproducts_t05.html

I met Nate this winter at Frank's and he demonstrated his new speaker, the T5. It is very compact, but delivers a big soundstage and the cross-over point is remarkably low. If you have a smaller speaker requirement, give this a consideration. Congratulations to Nate on his new product launch.

Wayner

3 KHz is remarkably low?

avahifi · « **Reply #8 on:** 28 Apr 2009, 01:51 pm »

Well, I might bring the old rope speaker cables for one of the three systems we will be setting up in our huge display room at the AKFest.

The "big system" using Jim's new HT4s will likely use Bella Extreme cables assuming there is no problem with them. They wanted a place to showcase their premium cables and Jim was happy to accommodate them and its OK with me too. If they work well with Jim and my equipment, they will likely work well anywhere, but at a high cost of course.

I am going to take an (fill in the blank here as I don't want to get intro trouble for any political statement

) like stand on cables at our display in the hopes that being nice is better than arguing about them in the absence of all the data.

Best regards,

Frank

turkey · « **Reply #9 on:** 28 Apr 2009, 02:04 pm »

Quote from: avahifi on 28 Apr 2009, 01:51 pm

I am going to take an (fill in the blank here as I don't want to get intro trouble for any political statement ) like stand on cables at our display in the hopes that being nice is better than arguing about them in the absence of all the data.

I would expect to see a mention in some of the magazines or web sites that "Extra! Extra! Frank Van Alstine has evidently changed his mind and now recommends Bella Extreme wire!"

I also wonder why you would approve the use of unshielded RCA patch cords?

rajacat · « **Reply #10 on:** 28 Apr 2009, 04:20 pm »

Frank should bring some lamp cord and do impromptu A/B test. After the short test the display would return to the Bella Extreme wire. It would be a perfect opportunity and there should be some others hanging around to give their opinions on which speaker wire is best... $$$ Bella Extreme or 10 cent/ft lamp cord. Now if there is any difference at all then it would vindicate the opinion that within certain constraints speaker wire construction does make a difference.

-Roy

zybar · « **Reply #11 on:** 28 Apr 2009, 04:29 pm »

Quote from: rajacat on 28 Apr 2009, 04:20 pm

Frank should bring some lamp cord and do impromptu A/B test. After the short test the display would return to the Bella Extreme wire. It would be a perfect opportunity and there should be some others hanging around to give their opinions on which speaker wire is best... $$$ Bella Extreme or 10 cent/ft lamp cord. Now if there is any difference at all then it would vindicate the opinion that within certain constraints speaker wire construction does make a difference.

-Roy

Probably best not to do this at a show when you have a specific vendor supplying the cables and ic's for the room.

George

martyo · « **Reply #12 on:** 28 Apr 2009, 04:33 pm »

Gonna make it to the show George?

rajacat · « **Reply #13 on:** 28 Apr 2009, 04:36 pm »

Maybe do it after hours? You're right, of course. It would not be the right time to do the test but since everything would be set up it would be tempting. Maybe Frank's wrong and the Bella Extremes would kick a#s. That would be interesting.

Eats a little crow.

zybar · « **Reply #14 on:** 28 Apr 2009, 04:37 pm »

Quote from: martyo on 28 Apr 2009, 04:33 pm

Gonna make it to the show George?

Not looking good.

I can't leave until Saturday morning and flights are looking way too pricey (over $700).

Maybe next year.

George

orthobiz · « **Reply #15 on:** 28 Apr 2009, 04:44 pm »

I can't make it. I had a wedding, canceled that because my daughter made it to state finals in her high school forensics class. This weekend was doomd for me from the getgo.

I hope this thread doesn't go into the IGWB because of connects and cables!!!! As we would say in NY, "enough already with the cables!"

Paul

Bill Baker · « **Reply #16 on:** 28 Apr 2009, 05:13 pm »

Hello Ac'ers,

Just wanted to make a clarification. I did contact Jim asking if he would be interested in auditioning some cables. No obligations, just a personal evaluation. It was at this time that Jim mentioned the show and that he would like to use them. I was obviously honored that Jim would make this offer. I only mention this so nobody though I asked Jim to use them in the show.

I know cable opionions run everywhere and only hope that those who hear them keep an open mind.

Regardless, I am sure Jim and Frank's showing will be exceptional. I am just happy to be part of the process.

I have always admired both Jim and Frank and their products.

martyo · « **Reply #17 on:** 28 Apr 2009, 05:16 pm »

Quote

I hope this thread doesn't go into the IGWB because of connects and cables!!!! As we would say in NY, "enough already with the cables!"

Me too.

Jim did or still does market cables from a retired Bell Labs engineer (if I remember correctly)that have already been used in AVA/Salk rooms in the past without incident. Maybe that can be the headline.

With the larger room right off the atrium/lobby, hopefully many more will be introduced to the high quality products of Frank and Jim and Bill.

turkey · « **Reply #18 on:** 28 Apr 2009, 05:29 pm »

Quote from: rajacat on 28 Apr 2009, 04:36 pm

Maybe do it after hours? You're right, of course. It would not be the right time to do the test but since everything would be set up it would be tempting. Maybe Frank's wrong and the Bella Extremes would kick a#s. That would be interesting. Eats a little crow.

Funny, I didn't see that Frank made any claims one way or the other about the Bella Extremes.

bregez · « **Reply #19 on:** 5 May 2009, 03:50 am »

Did anyone snap some pictures of the new Ultimate 70 vacuum amplifier in the new AVA chassis prototype at the AKfest?