Omegastar Upgrades?

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usaman

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Omegastar Upgrades?
« on: 5 Feb 2010, 11:34 pm »
For us slowpokes out there, are there any upgrades still available to the Omegastar Preamps?  In particular, how 'bout the op-amps as there are with the new Insight?  Although this might not be what Frank had termed as upgradable technology, it would be nice if there was for fella's like me who cant take that financial leap just yet. To be truthful, my first listening of Frank's Omegastar amp was absolutely astounding in a sense that I wasnt hearing anything...Before his Omegastar,, I thought I had a stellar amp.  I can only imagine what the Insight has to offer.

avahifi

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Re: Omegastar Upgrades?
« Reply #1 on: 5 Feb 2010, 11:38 pm »
Sure, we can put the new Insight audio circuits into any old Omega or OmegaStar or even any of our much older preamp designs, both in AVA chassis and in the original Dyna preamp chassis we started with in the 1970s.

Call me for specifics and prices.  651-330-9871

Best regards,

Frank Van Alstine

turkey

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Re: Omegastar Upgrades?
« Reply #2 on: 9 Feb 2010, 03:00 pm »
I had my OmegaStar preamp (in the AVA SL chassis) upgraded with the Insight circuits and was quite pleased with the results.

I'm using it with an OmegaStar amp and am happy with the combo. I feel that the OmegaStar preamp circuits needed a little improvement, but the OmegaStar amp was already quite satisfactory to me. I might have it updated to Insight at some point, or I might just wait and see what Frank comes up with next.

martyo

Re: Omegastar Upgrades?
« Reply #3 on: 9 Feb 2010, 03:19 pm »
Quote
I had my OmegaStar preamp (in the AVA SL chassis) upgraded with the Insight circuits and was quite pleased with the results.

Care to share any listening comparisons between the two?  8)

turkey

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Re: Omegastar Upgrades?
« Reply #4 on: 9 Feb 2010, 03:47 pm »
Care to share any listening comparisons between the two?  8)

It's a bit hard to tell since there was a long period of time between sending off my preamp and getting it back with the upgrad. (AVA was really busy at the time.)

With that in mind, I feel the OmegaStar had excellent bass and mids, but could sometimes sound a bit hard in the treble.

The Insight upgrade completely solved any problems with the treble. It also seemed to reveal extra layers of detail, without ever over-accentuating anything. I remember thinking at the time it was as if another veil had been removed. I wasn't aware of any real problems with detail or lack of it when I had the OmegaStar, so it was quite a surprise to get the Insight preamp and hear all that extra detail.

From there, the Insight+ mini-upgrade seemed to make the preamp quieter yet. It also seems like things like the kick drum became a bit more solid-sounding.

I wish that I could have some of Frank's older SS designs in the same room as the latest ones so that I could do a proper comparison. It would be interesting to see how things have evolved over the years.

I do have an old SuperPAS and an FETValve amp. The PAS is quite colored and the bass and treble are weak as well. But it has the original Dyna filter cap and I'm sure the cap is on its last legs at this point, so it's not really fair to compare it to anything.

The FETValve amp isn't bad at all. There's a bit too much mid-bass, and it kind of muffles the dynamics of things like a drum kit, but overall it's still pretty good. I think I could live with it if I couldn't have my OmegaStar amp.

Minn Mark

Re: Omegastar Upgrades?
« Reply #5 on: 10 Feb 2010, 08:07 pm »
I was very happy with my AVA equipment (Omega IV pre-amp, DAC and Omega 440H amp) for more than ten years. Then I upgraded everything to Insight EC pre, Insight DAC and Insight 440H amp.

I would NEVER go back.....listening comparison is nearly indescribable.....Frank may actually remember my phone call to him the evening I received the gear and listened for about couple of hours....its a bit embarrassing but I had to call him at around 7:30 PM, and I was in tears....I could not believe the improvement. Every aspect of what I listen for in the 'truth' of the recorded media was there--even in that I'm still finding many suboptimal recordings (LPs, CDs etc)....if you are listening for a revealing experience, you gotta go for the upgrades.  Now I must also say that I'm using Magnaplanar 3.6R's---a very revealing (some may say 'dry') loudspeaker. With the AVA's in my system, it is not IMHO anywhere near overly 'dry' or too analytical-sounding. The performances are full of life and emotion (what you hear is the 'truth') , absolutely no listening fatigue, and (of course) always bullet-proof performance--no noise, thumps, bumps, etc.

Can I more highly recommend an upgrade......I don't think so ! :thumb: :thumb: :thumb:

Cheers,

Mark