New Ray Samuels Phono Stage/ Nighthawk

Gopher · « **Reply #120 on:** 8 Apr 2010, 09:10 pm »

I don't have a manual either (I borrowed and ended up buying Ray's personal unit) but I can tell you: No, it must be plugged out to use the phono stage.

reddmadder · « **Reply #121 on:** 9 Apr 2010, 10:43 am »

Nighthawk watch
http://www.watchco.com/Luminox_Black_EVO_F117_Nighthawk_Men_s_Analog_p/l6402.htm

toobluvr · « **Reply #122 on:** 9 Apr 2010, 01:02 pm »

Quote from: reddmadder on 9 Apr 2010, 10:43 am

Nighthawk watch
http://www.watchco.com/Luminox_Black_EVO_F117_Nighthawk_Men_s_Analog_p/l6402.htm

Good for logging the extra hours spent in front of your system since the 'hawk's arrival!

jtsnead · « **Reply #123 on:** 9 Apr 2010, 01:39 pm »

Got mine yesterday, black with silver knobs, it really is small, kind
of funy at first, I think this is the smallest piece of eqipment I ever had.
See picture for reference.

Had some hum problems when I had it sitting on the shelf above my cd player
moved it to under the VPI which was better but since I took the photo I
have moved it off the rack and to the side which helped alot, I guess this
unit can pick up alot of noise from other equipment at least in my system

First impressions, very fast and accurate, good imaging and depth, not bright
to me at all at least compared to my Nova Phonomena. I do not need as high
a gain setting with the Nighthawk

Looking forward to hooking up my old Talisman S and Denon DL-302

toobluvr · « **Reply #124 on:** 9 Apr 2010, 02:52 pm »

Chameleon-like burn in hell for me!! This thing sounded better yesterday, cold right outta the box!

JakeJ · « **Reply #125 on:** 9 Apr 2010, 04:26 pm »

Quote from: reddmadder on 9 Apr 2010, 10:43 am

Nighthawk watch
http://www.watchco.com/Luminox_Black_EVO_F117_Nighthawk_Men_s_Analog_p/l6402.htm

That is totally kewl cuz it's analog!

Quote from: toobluvr link=topic=78981.msg762615#msg762615 date=1270824755

Chameleon-like burn in hell for me!! This thing sounded better yesterday, cold right outta the box!

Dood, you were warned by the RSA fellowship that changes occur over time. I took heed and fully charged and discharged my unit twice before I even put it in my system. Ya gotta get some hours on it.

I'm late! I'm late! For a very important date!

JakeJ

toobluvr · « **Reply #126 on:** 9 Apr 2010, 04:50 pm »

Quote from: JakeJ on 9 Apr 2010, 04:26 pm

Dood, you were warned by the RSA fellowship that changes occur over time. I took heed and fully charged and discharged my unit twice before I even put it in my system. Ya gotta get some hours on it.

How silly of me! I had no idea there was a RS audio club approved method of burn-in. Do I need a secret decoder ring to join? Perhaps a password?

I just figured that burning in by running actual music thru it would be better, and faster, than just leaving it turned on. And what about curiosity? I am not possessing of the strength and resolve to not listen for 6 solid days (or whatever the charge/discharge cycle happens to be) as it sits there beckoning me from my shelf. No siree!

jsaliga · « **Reply #127 on:** 9 Apr 2010, 05:27 pm »

John,

Please do keep posting about your experience with the F-117. I bought one too but probably won't have it for several days.

Sadly I have to give up my Eastern Electric Minimax phono preamp. I just don't have the rack space as I have a new set of Audiokinesis speakers coming from Duke LeJeune in about a week that includes a shelf/rack mount subwoofer amp. I thought I could make it all fit but with the minimax in there it will be hard to create enough clearance to allow proper ventillation of the amp. I was going to go back to my trusty TC-760LC but thought I would try Ray's new toy since the form factor works for me and the thought of a battery powered phono preamp was appealing.

--Jerome

JakeJ · « **Reply #128 on:** 9 Apr 2010, 05:57 pm »

Quote from: toobluvr on 9 Apr 2010, 04:50 pm

How silly of me! I had no idea there was a RS audio club approved method of burn-in. Do I need a secret decoder ring to join? Perhaps a password?

I just figured that burning in by running actual music thru it would be better, and faster, than just leaving it turned on. And what about curiosity? I am not possessing of the strength and resolve to not listen for 6 solid days (or whatever the charge/discharge cycle happens to be) as it sits there beckoning me from my shelf. No siree!

Well, Ray stated that simply turning it on and letting it run through a discharge is as good as running music through it. Charges in about three hours and takes ~48 to discharge so that's roughly 4+ days. Apologies if I was throwing a dissing attitude. Just a bit of good-natured ball bustin' was intended. Do keep us posted on the change in sound character and your opinion of the little beast.

Best,
JakeJ

toobluvr · « **Reply #129 on:** 9 Apr 2010, 06:03 pm »

Didn't feel dissed in the least, Jake. I took it for what it was -- all good natured fun and jocularity. Hey, we're all part of the same club. Now..can I have that password?

jsaliga · « **Reply #130 on:** 9 Apr 2010, 06:11 pm »

Quote from: toobluvr on 9 Apr 2010, 06:03 pm

Now..can I have that password?

Don't forget the secret handshake.

--Jerome

jsaliga · « **Reply #131 on:** 9 Apr 2010, 06:16 pm »

Does anyone know if the battery is user replacable? Sorry if that has already been asked and answered.

--Jerome

toobluvr · « **Reply #132 on:** 9 Apr 2010, 07:06 pm »

Quote from: jsaliga on 9 Apr 2010, 06:11 pm

Don't forget the secret handshake.

--Jerome

The Racoon Lodge one?

tomjtx · « **Reply #133 on:** 9 Apr 2010, 07:43 pm »

I have well over 200 hrs now and the Nighthawk continues to impress. The more I listen the more I like.

Gopher · « **Reply #134 on:** 9 Apr 2010, 07:44 pm »

Don't sweat it too much. I absolutely adored the Minimax phonostage and had no plans of changing it until I won the lotto. I tried the Nighthawk out of curiosity as a 'no obligation' loaner, and it was just a better performer for my tastes in my rig.

Ericus Rex · « **Reply #135 on:** 9 Apr 2010, 07:48 pm »

Quote from: jsaliga on 9 Apr 2010, 06:16 pm

Does anyone know if the battery is user replacable? Sorry if that has already been asked and answered.

--Jerome

I think we may be thinking the same thing. I.E. will this thing be worthless in a few years when the battery's dead.

tomjtx · « **Reply #136 on:** 9 Apr 2010, 08:47 pm »

IDK but if it's not user replaceable u just send it in to Ray for a new battery.

If u listen 4 hrs a day thats a recharge every 12-14 days . 24 charges a year these batts are usually good for 300 charges so u need a new batt in 10 years.

Hardly a prob.

jsaliga · « **Reply #137 on:** 9 Apr 2010, 09:07 pm »

I didn't ask the question because I thought it might be a problem. I already ordered a F-117 so if I was concerned about the battery I would have held up my order until I had an answer. I merely asked a question.

--Jerome

Ray Samuels · « **Reply #138 on:** 9 Apr 2010, 09:07 pm »

Quote from: tomjtx on 9 Apr 2010, 08:47 pm

IDK but if it's not user replaceable u just send it in to Ray for a new battery.

If u listen 4 hrs a day thats a recharge every 12-14 days . 24 charges a year these batts are usually good for 300 charges so u need a new batt in 10 years.

Hardly a prob.

The battery is supposed to go over 500 charges. Now do the math.
Thanks Tom.
Ray Samuels

Ray Samuels · « **Reply #139 on:** 9 Apr 2010, 09:12 pm »

Quote from: jsaliga on 9 Apr 2010, 09:07 pm

I didn't ask the question because I thought it might be a problem. I already ordered a F-117 so if I was concerned about the battery I would have held up my order until I had an answer. I merely asked a question.

--Jerome

The battery has 2 wires that need to be soldered to the brd.
If you are talented with your hands then you can purchase the battery & replace it your self.
You do have 3 years of full warranty on both the amp & the battery.
But if you want us to replace it, then send it to us. We will ship it back to you the same day.
Cheers.
Ray Samuels