[avahifi]

OK, this unit was built here in 1992.  It does have the solid state output buffers on both the phono and line sections. This makes the unit more interesting because the buffer stages can be substantially upgraded here ($300) to turn this unit into a really great modern unit.

The original buffer design was an interesting trade-off.  The unit gained definition and transparency and dynamics, and a better bottom end, but some users were not wild about the extreme top end, which lost some of its "tube like" musical presentation.

The new Insight buffers fix that in spaces.  All positives, no negatives, just great musicality and dynamics from top to bottom.

With the new buffers, it is still not as pristine as a T8, but its a good runner up and likely will far exceed your expectations.

Regards,

Frank Van Alstine

[moboman]

Well I bought the super pas III on ebay. (http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=220476630798&ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT)
I was eying it and the T8 on Audiogon.

I'm hoping it will be somewhat of an upgrade over my previous pasIII that was starting to have a few problems.

[rcag_ils]

You should have bought the Super Pas4i currently listed on Ebay now, that would've been an upgrade.

[moboman]

You should have bought the Super Pas4i currently listed on Ebay now, that would've been an upgrade.

Is it your pas4? Or did you just see it on ebay?

Does it have a phono input?


Thanks,
David

[rcag_ils]

No, it isn't my pas4i, but I have one and upgraded by Frank to a higher level. I think now it's equivelant to a T-8. All Pas4i have phono. Pas3 with buffer boards was the prelude to the pas4i

[Nels Ferre]

He did good. I have owned both the Super PAS3 as well as the 4i. The 4i was more accurate, but the Super PAS was far more emotionally involving. I no longer own either, but as I told Frank some years back, the Super PAS3 is stlll one of my favorites.

[oneinthepipe]

moboman bought a nice preamp in the Super PAS3. 

Regarding the Super PAS4i, the seller wrote that he/she was motivated to sell the Super PAS4i by the sale of the Super PAS3, and I suspect that the Super PAS4i's reserve price will not be very low. 

[moboman]

Thanks guys, I thought I did pretty well considering last week a Jensen's modified pas III sold for 420 shipped. This one atleast is new enough to have the Van Alstine boards instead of the stock Dyna ones.

I'm sure I'll enjoy the pas III and I'm very happy that I was able to purchase it. I really like the faceplate on this preamp vs the one on the Pas 4 on ebay. I have an omega 3 with that same faceplate and dont really care for it. (I'm not trying to start a discussion on thousand dollar faceplate)


Now, I wonder what I should upgrade next..   

[gjs_cds]

Thanks guys, I thought I did pretty well considering last week a Jensen's modified pas III sold for 420 shipped. This one atleast is new enough to have the Van Alstine boards instead of the stock Dyna ones.

I'm sure I'll enjoy the pas III and I'm very happy that I was able to purchase it. I really like the faceplate on this preamp vs the one on the Pas 4 on ebay. I have an omega 3 with that same faceplate and dont really care for it. (I'm not trying to start a discussion on thousand dollar faceplate)


Now, I wonder what I should upgrade next..   

Wow--congrats!  That's actually a great buy, considering the cost of the Pas3x upgrade kit (let alone the assembled price!) 

[boycephoto]

Hi Moboman,

If you are looking for a tweek for your Super Pas3 try a good set of Telefunken 12AX7s.  I have used several different brands in mine and the Telefunkens are the best so far.  I have tried Chinese 12AX7's that AVA supplied, JAN 12ax7's, Sovtek 12AX7lps. The Telefunkens made a noticable improvement in the sound.   

Have fun,
Dave   

An Ultimate 70 (or soon the UltraValve) would be a relly nice upgrade too!

[moboman]

Hi Moboman,

If you are looking for a tweek for your Super Pas3 try a good set of Telefunken 12AX7s.  I have used several different brands in mine and the Telefunkens are the best so far.  I have tried Chinese 12AX7's that AVA supplied, JAN 12ax7's, Sovtek 12AX7lps. The Telefunkens made a noticable improvement in the sound.   

Have fun,
Dave   

An Ultimate 70 (or soon the UltraValve) would be a relly nice upgrade too!

How much of a difference could a matched set of telefunkens make?  Looks they are worth about half of what the preamp is worth.

[avahifi]

Of course we can put a new Insight line buffer board in the Super Pas Three now ($300) and that will make a VERY significant improvement in its performance.  Better dynamics, clarity, transparency, extended powerful low end, extended top end, with zero negatives at all.  Really!

We are using a new device for the buffer circuits with a slew rate of over 2000 v/uS and rated distortion at about .0003%.  It really makes a big difference musically.  Available factory installed only.  Older units with the early buffer design can be upgraded for the same price.

Regards,

Frank Van Alstine

[gjs_cds]

Of course we can put a new Insight line buffer board in the Super Pas Three now ($300) and that will make a VERY significant improvement in its performance.  Better dynamics, clarity, transparency, extended powerful low end, extended top end, with zero negatives at all.  Really!
Regards,

Frank Van Alstine

Hey Frank...I was planning (at some point) to get the upgrade kit as a fun hobby/project for myself.  Does the kit have this Insight line buffer, or is that (only) a factory option?  I'm trying to weigh the benefits of a fun project vs. long-term sonic quality

Thanks for all you do... Your products make my life (and that of my family) more interesting!

[avahifi]

The Insight Line Buffer is a $300 option available factory installed only.

Frank

[moboman]

Received the preamp yesterday. I've only listened to it for a few hours. I still would like to do an a/b test with the old modified PasIII to see the differences.

On a side note, I purchased a Mosfet 120C so when this comes I'll have a little better SS amp to use with my new PAS.