What is your latest acquisition?

ralph1950 · « **Reply #920 on:** 28 Nov 2011, 08:30 pm »

An SP-3 For demo purposes, and this has got to be the best preamp I have heard to date.

Diamond Dog · « **Reply #921 on:** 29 Nov 2011, 04:05 am »

Quote from: RLL1 on 28 Nov 2011, 07:28 pm

Just catching up on all the new acquisitions, there is some pretty impressive stuff being displayed here. I thought the global economy was slumping!! BTW D.D. that Esoteric is something special.

Rick

Thanks, Rick. Worth the hernia-inducing effort of getting the thing home, into my listening area and up into it's slot in my equipment stand - that sucker is heavy! The long march that is the notorious Esoteric break-in period is well underway. On the topic of special, what is that sweet finish on those Sonus Fabers called ?

D.D.

bjski · « **Reply #922 on:** 29 Nov 2011, 04:09 am »

Earthquake sub for my home theater.....also ordered Hifiman HE-500. When is the headphone amp expected?

Diamond Dog · « **Reply #923 on:** 29 Nov 2011, 04:15 am »

Quote from: bjski on 29 Nov 2011, 04:09 am

Earthquake sub for my home theater.....also ordered Hifiman HE-500. When is the headphone amp expected?

Don't count on finding one under the tree...

D.D.

RLL1 · « **Reply #924 on:** 29 Nov 2011, 06:36 am »

Quote from: Diamond Dog on 29 Nov 2011, 04:05 am

Thanks, Rick. Worth the hernia-inducing effort of getting the thing home, into my listening area and up into it's slot in my equipment stand - that sucker is heavy! The long march that is the notorious Esoteric break-in period is well underway. On the topic of special, what is that sweet finish on those Sonus Fabers called ?

D.D.

Sonus faber calls the finish "Graphite". I checked out the weight of your K-03. That's unreal, it weighs more than one of your 7B's!!

Rick

Diamond Dog · « **Reply #925 on:** 29 Nov 2011, 01:09 pm »

Quote from: RLL1 on 29 Nov 2011, 06:36 am

Sonus faber calls the finish "Graphite". I checked out the weight of your K-03. That's unreal, it weighs more than one of your 7B's!!

Rick

Engineers on an absolute rampage - the drive alone weighs 10 lbs. Factor in stuff like two toroidial transformers - it adds up.

I knew that beautiful finish on your Fabers looked familiar - I came this close to choosing Graphite Poplar for my fact.8`s - kicking myself just a bit after seeing your pictures...

D.D.

larevoj · « **Reply #926 on:** 29 Nov 2011, 01:50 pm »

Thats a very stylish looking PMC...how different it sound as compared to the traditional PMC built?

Quote from: Diamond Dog on 29 Nov 2011, 01:09 pm

I knew that beautiful finish on your Fabers looked familiar - I came this close to choosing Graphite Poplar for my fact.8`s - kicking myself just a bit after seeing your pictures...

D.D.

Diamond Dog · « **Reply #927 on:** 30 Nov 2011, 04:32 am »

Quote from: larevoj on 29 Nov 2011, 01:50 pm

Thats a very stylish looking PMC...how different it sound as compared to the traditional PMC built?

They're a very different beast from the "i"-series PMC's both in terms of appearance and sound. They still use the transmission line design to excellent effect but are noticably less traditionally "British-sounding" for lack of a better expression. When I say that I'm thinking of my old PMC's or KEF's I've owned or Spendors or the like which I've heard - a tad laid-back or reserved in character, pleasant but not as involving as some might like. The facts are more dynamic without being overly forward-sounding. The word that keeps coming up with these is clarity. I don't see myself going back to the "i"-series after owning the fact.8's. The audio-porn glamour shot above is the Graphite Poplar finish. Mine are in the Tiger Ebony finish as illustrated in the audio-porn glamour shot below:

D.D.

larevoj · « **Reply #928 on:** 30 Nov 2011, 02:11 pm »

DD, they look great and I found a link below with a pic on its crossover. Sounds like a great match with Bryston electronics and the synergy is certainly there. I did thought of giving the Fact a try but the local dealer don't carry the Fact line at that time...so no chance to have a listen but I am sure it sound great.

http://www.avforums.com/forums/audio-processors-power-amps/1205531-bryston-owners-thread-40.html

Quote from: Diamond Dog on 30 Nov 2011, 04:32 am

They're a very different beast from the "i"-series PMC's both in terms of appearance and sound. They still use the transmission line design to excellent effect but are noticably less traditionally "British-sounding" for lack of a better expression. When I say that I'm thinking of my old PMC's or KEF's I've owned or Spendors or the like which I've heard - a tad laid-back or reserved in character, pleasant but not as involving as some might like. The facts are more dynamic without being overly forward-sounding. The word that keeps coming up with these is clarity. I don't see myself going back to the "i"-series after owning the fact.8's. The audio-porn glamour shot above is the Graphite Poplar finish. Mine are in the Tiger Ebony finish as illustrated in the audio-porn glamour shot below:

D.D.

Anonamemouse · « **Reply #929 on:** 30 Nov 2011, 02:46 pm »

Hmm... Fairly basic parts on that actually...
This can easily be improved to something quite a bit better.

Alpha10 · « **Reply #930 on:** 30 Nov 2011, 03:33 pm »

^^^ They have been, there is the 'Signature' edition, which has an improved crossover...

Cheers

BrysTony · « **Reply #931 on:** 30 Nov 2011, 03:45 pm »

Quote from: Alpha10 on 30 Nov 2011, 03:33 pm

^^^ They have been, there is the 'Signature' edition, which has an improved crossover...

Cheers

That is the FACT crossover. I am not aware that PMC has come out with a Signature edition of the FACT speakers.

Tony

Alpha10 · « **Reply #932 on:** 30 Nov 2011, 03:55 pm »

^^ You are right, I have i'series ....

Diamond Dog · « **Reply #933 on:** 30 Nov 2011, 06:21 pm »

Quote from: Anonamemouse on 30 Nov 2011, 02:46 pm

Hmm... Fairly basic parts on that actually...
This can easily be improved to something quite a bit better.

D.D.

larevoj · « **Reply #934 on:** 1 Dec 2011, 04:38 am »

Those looks like Solen caps which are pretty good actually. I think Dynaudio use similar caps in their Confidence series too and they sound neutral with airy highs. I think PMC design philosophy do seems identical to Bryston - what matter most is the results the product aim to achieve at the targeted market or price point

Quote from: Anonamemouse on 30 Nov 2011, 02:46 pm

Hmm... Fairly basic parts on that actually...
This can easily be improved to something quite a bit better.

Diamond Dog · « **Reply #935 on:** 1 Dec 2011, 04:59 am »

Quote from: larevoj on 1 Dec 2011, 04:38 am

Those looks like Solen caps which are pretty good actually. I think Dynaudio use similar caps in their Confidence series too and they sound neutral with airy highs. I think PMC design philosophy do seems identical to Bryston - what matter most is the results the product aim to achieve at the targeted market or price point

You are correct about the caps. I read a recent interview with Peter Thomas where he was quite explicit in his view that he felt no need to use boutique components in his designs unless in his opinion there was there was a real benefit in doing so other than assisting audiophiles to win pissing contests with other audiophiles. As a result, he picks his spots. For anyone who feels that they can school Peter Thomas in how loudspeakers should be designed and built, in my previous post I have provided a map to assist in getting you to the PMC factory.

The parallel you draw between the design philosophies at PMC and Bryston would appear at least in my opinion to be accurate. Nice observation, larevoj.

D.D.

Anonamemouse · « **Reply #936 on:** 1 Dec 2011, 08:21 am »

I am absolutely positive that Peter Thomas knows how to build loudspeakers. I am also positive that what they sell is a tuned down version of what can be achieved.

When designing commercially there is always the question: is the quality improvement on par with the price increase? Are people prepared to pay the extra dollar/pound/euro for the better product?

We all know that it takes a lot of money to climb up the quality ladder. Bryston amps can be improved as well, it just takes expensive components and as a result they will me (even) more expensive, which will make them less interesting for customers. But if anyone is willing to invest in it, it can be done.

SoundGame · « **Reply #937 on:** 1 Dec 2011, 04:14 pm »

Quote from: Anonamemouse on 1 Dec 2011, 08:21 am

I am absolutely positive that Peter Thomas knows how to build loudspeakers. I am also positive that what they sell is a tuned down version of what can be achieved.

When designing commercially there is always the question: is the quality improvement on par with the price increase? Are people prepared to pay the extra dollar/pound/euro for the better product?

We all know that it takes a lot of money to climb up the quality ladder. Bryston amps can be improved as well, it just takes expensive components and as a result they will me (even) more expensive, which will make them less interesting for customers. But if anyone is willing to invest in it, it can be done.

A number of companies have tried, at least for a special line or a single model, taking a no-holds-barred / sky's-the-limit (skunk works) engineering approach, with the objective of raising the bar on ultimate performance and using the learnings to better their commercial product lines - e.g. KEF Blade, Totem One etc. Formula 1 racing is an example of this applied to non-audio products.

Bryston claims it consistently takes this approach with their actual commerical product line - in other words, they regularly try new components/designs (including upscale components) and implement anything they find (design and/or parts) that provides an evolutionary increase in performance, while maintaining reliability (20+yr). Whether this is irrespective of the price of the component(s) and/or technology is another question - which I'm not 100% sure of. In other words, if there is a way to consistently increase the performance of it's amplifiers in a "real" way and do so while maintaining reliability they would do it - according to their company motto.

Interesting enough - I have not been able to find a legitamate "mod" company take on a project to mod. Bryston ampliers (adding exotic parts or re-designs) that improve performance. Perhaps, it's because to consistently improve performance it would require a substantial redesign - perhaps that would be a whole different product?? And such an improved design is not yet know to Bryston itself, otherwise, it would have been implemented??

Anonamemouse - what changes in parts / design do you claim would definitly increase the performance of it's amplifiers - in a "real" sense, while not compromising their reliability? If this is known to you - would you mod your own Bryston amp or contract someone to do it for you? I'm just curious about your theory.

Diamond Dog · « **Reply #938 on:** 1 Dec 2011, 04:39 pm »

Anonamemouse: Fair comment. As always, the Iron Law Of Diminishing Returns is in effect.

D.D.

Diamond Dog · « **Reply #939 on:** 1 Dec 2011, 04:46 pm »

Quote from: SoundGame on 1 Dec 2011, 04:14 pm

Interesting enough - I have not been able to find a legitamate "mod" company take on a project to mod. Bryston ampliers (adding exotic parts or re-designs) that improve performance. Perhaps, it's because to consistently improve performance it would require a substantial redesign - perhaps that would be a whole different product?? And such an improved design is not yet know to Bryston itself, otherwise, it would have been implemented??

Anonamemouse - what changes in parts / design do you claim would definitly increase the performance of it's amplifiers - in a "real" sense, while not compromising their reliability? If this is known to you - would you mod your own Bryston amp or contract someone to do it for you? I'm just curious about your theory.

Gotta watch those mods, G. Esoteric, for example, is quite clear that if their product is modded in any way, they will not only immediately and completely void your warranty, they will also to refuse to offer service of any type to the modded unit outside of warranty as well. They suggest you take the unit back to whoever modified it for any future service as they won't touch it.

D.D.