New Ray Samuels Phono Stage/ Nighthawk

DaveX · « **Reply #260 on:** 16 May 2010, 06:42 pm »

Ray, should the Nighthawk battery be completely depleted before charging. Thanks.

kgturner · « **Reply #261 on:** 16 May 2010, 09:24 pm »

the nighthawk uses a lithium ion battery which doesn't suffer from memory effect like ni-cad batteries do, so i would believe it would be safe to charge it whenever you wanted and not have to wait until the battery is fully discharged. just my thought. call or email ray directly for confirmation though.

kevin t

Ray Samuels · « **Reply #262 on:** 30 May 2010, 05:13 pm »

http://positive-feedback.com/Issue49/q.htm
Enjoy.
Ray Samuels

DaveX · « **Reply #263 on:** 30 May 2010, 05:47 pm »

If the optimum gain for my cartridge is 56db, am I overloading the nighthawk if I have it set at 61 db. If my hearing is correct, I do prefer the sound at 61 db rather than the two higher settings (68-75db) or the lower setting of 54db. Thanks.

Ericus Rex · « **Reply #264 on:** 5 Jun 2010, 11:22 pm »

Everybody keep theirs? Mine's stayin put!

DARTH AUDIO · « **Reply #265 on:** 6 Jun 2010, 12:07 am »

Quote from: Ericus Rex on 5 Jun 2010, 11:22 pm

Everybody keep theirs? Mine's stayin put!

Not going anywhere!! Stay'in put as well..

Gopher · « **Reply #266 on:** 6 Jun 2010, 08:21 pm »

Still content with mine. I've found it to be pretty sensitive to interconnects feeding and exiting it. What are you guys using? I'm experimenting with Wywire with great results while MAC and Morrow hasn't done it for me in those positions.

DARTH AUDIO · « **Reply #267 on:** 6 Jun 2010, 10:13 pm »

I use Audio Art Cables.. No problems at all.

jtsnead · « **Reply #268 on:** 7 Jun 2010, 04:14 am »

I have Furutech AG-12 from tonearm to NW,
XLO Ref 3 to preamp, had to move ot off my
rack cause it picked up hum from my TT motor

DaveX · « **Reply #269 on:** 7 Jun 2010, 12:45 pm »

There's a review in the pipeline for the Nighthawk at 6moons, somebody link it here as soon as it appears, thank you.

RPM123 · « **Reply #270 on:** 8 Jun 2010, 12:18 am »

Quote from: Ericus Rex on 5 Jun 2010, 11:22 pm

Everybody keep theirs? Mine's stayin put!

Absolutely... that tiny box sounds amazing! Furutech AG-12 from tonearm to NH, then Artisan "Ultimate" Silver Dream cables to integrated amp. Crystal Cable "Standard" sounded very nice as well, but I decided to use the Artisans.

kgturner · « **Reply #271 on:** 8 Jun 2010, 10:41 pm »

6moons review posted:

http://www.6moons.com/audioreviews/raysamuels/f117.html

Bill · « **Reply #272 on:** 9 Jun 2010, 01:52 am »

Reviews should always be taken with a grain of salt. If the reviewer raves about a product (and you happen to own it) then he knows his stuff. If he doesn't care about a product you own, then he doesn't know what he's talking about. This review was typical in a lot of ways; what I got out of it was, you could insert any 'decent for the money' phono preamp into the review and you would basically end up reading the same thing. It won't be embarrassed by the big boys but it's not in the same league kinda' stuff which is ubiquitous in audio reviews. Just another review of a decent product. Ho hum.

95Dyna · « **Reply #273 on:** 10 Jun 2010, 06:54 pm »

Quote from: DaveX on 30 May 2010, 05:47 pm

If the optimum gain for my cartridge is 56db, am I overloading the nighthawk if I have it set at 61 db. If my hearing is correct, I do prefer the sound at 61 db rather than the two higher settings (68-75db) or the lower setting of 54db. Thanks.

Hi Dave,

I'm anxious to hear responses to your post as well. I'm just now installing a new VPI Classic with Benz Wood SL for which optimal gain is around 58 db (.4mV output on the Benz). Like you my optimal gain is between the gain settings of 54 and 61. I'm guessing Ray would say use the settings that sound the best to you and enjoy the music without further concern.

Bill

Gopher · « **Reply #274 on:** 11 Jun 2010, 03:37 am »

Congrats on the realization award, Ray! I personally think it deserved a blue moon, but the realization ain't too shabby!

"ho hum", Bill? Did you NOT like the NH or are you just in a negative mood?

Bill · « **Reply #275 on:** 11 Jun 2010, 02:40 pm »

I don't own the Night Hawk buy I just wanted to point out that a subjective review of a linear amplifying device has really no merit especially when most reviewers have no electrical theory background or education in the appropriate scientific fields. It's merely entertainment. Ray seems eager to point out a review by Positive Feedback but fails to answer important questions about gain settings. I guess the subjective review says it all! Not negative, but cynical.

95Dyna · « **Reply #276 on:** 11 Jun 2010, 03:50 pm »

Quote from: Bill on 11 Jun 2010, 02:40 pm

I don't own the Night Hawk buy I just wanted to point out that a subjective review of a linear amplifying device has really no merit especially when most reviewers have no electrical theory background or education in the appropriate scientific fields. It's merely entertainment. Ray seems eager to point out a review by Positive Feedback but fails to answer important questions about gain settings. I guess the subjective review says it all! Not negative, but cynical.

Hi Bill,

Some good points you make here. I bought the Nighthawk at the end of April to get the intro price. I did so based on all the positive "subjective" comments on this thread and some other places and not so much the reviews in established publications or websites. I haven't been able to use it yet since the VPI Classic I ordered at the same time just arrived. As I am about to hook everything up I would very much like to know the gain values of the blank dots on the front panel and was one of posters who posed the question early on. In the absense of a clarification you are left to assume an arithmetic progression from 40 to 70db. I'm hoping this device will blow my socks off enough that I can give my question a rest.

Bill (as well

)

Ray Samuels · « **Reply #277 on:** 13 Jun 2010, 02:20 pm »

Hi Friends...
Two NEW reviews from PFO...
http://positive-feedback.com/Issue49/samuels.htm
http://positive-feedback.com/Issue49/q.htm
Thanks to PFO for taking the time to give the Nighthawk a listen...
Ray Samuels

Ray Samuels · « **Reply #278 on:** 7 Jul 2010, 08:20 pm »

One more for the F-117 Nighthawk.

http://www.positive-feedback.com/Issue50/nighthawk_phonostage.htm

DARTH AUDIO · « **Reply #279 on:** 7 Jul 2010, 10:28 pm »

Congrats Ray!! Another great review!!

My Nighthawk continues to impress me!! Total music enjoyment!!

Gary