[newzooreview]

I just placed my order for an AvaStar pre-amp with remote and a Fet-Valve Ultra+ 550 Double Die. It was enjoyable speak with Frank (and Dean, at first), and I got to explain that my forum name refers back to a strange TV program that I watched as a kid in New Orleans. The show was called New Zoo Revue, and I'm sure that if I saw it again now I would find it fairly bizarre.  I also worked at the Audubon Zoo for years during high school and college, so it seemed to fit somehow.

While I wait for the new equipment, I'm wondering what other folks replaced when they got their AVA gear? I expect my AvaStar and 550 to replace a Wyred4Sound integrated amplifier (STI-1000) driving my Salk HT1-TLs.

[mathgeek97]

I remember a show as a kid called "Gnu Zoo Review," but maybe I'm too old to remember anything accurately anymore.

I'm going from a Denon3808CI to an all AVA setup:  Vision DAC -> T8+ -> Insight+ Double 260.  Something I should have done a long time ago for my poor Salk HT2-TLs.

[floresjc]

Wow, Mathgeek, that will be a really nice setup.

I used an Outlaw 1070 to power my SongTowers for a few weeks until my AVA gear came in. Seeing as I redid pretty much everything I own, I didn't really convert so much as get rid of.

[martyo]

In 2007 I replaced a Carver TFM-75 amp and C-16 preamp with an Ultra 550 and T8. I also bought an Ultra DAC, my first DAC.

[floresjc]

By the way newzoo, thats a sweet amp. I want one of those (or even the 350 version which Frank said was all I need for HT2-TL's) really bad. Only thing is, I don't have like 2500 bucks. Oh well, the Double 440 is doing quite nicely.

[mark funk]

In 2005 I replaced a Dynaco 416 and an Adcom pre with a T5 SLR, T-R DAC, Fet/Valve 550 EXR6 ( now it is an Ultra+ 550 ).
All this well be running a pair of HT2-TLs in about 30 days .

                                                                                           

[coke]

My Ultra preamp and Ultra 550 amp replaced an Integrea 40.1 preamp and Anthem MCA-50 amp.

Absolutely no comparison between the two.  As far as sound quality, the AVA equipment is better in every way.

Hopefully I'll soon have a Vision DAC to complete my 2 channel setup.

[newzooreview]

By the way newzoo, thats a sweet amp. I want one of those (or even the 350 version which Frank said was all I need for HT2-TL's) really bad. Only thing is, I don't have like 2500 bucks. Oh well, the Double 440 is doing quite nicely.

I first heard the HT1-TLs on what I think was an Insight amp (not a plus or a double, I think) at Dennis Murphy's: it sounds great! 

I'm sure I would have been happy with a similar setup, but I have a pretty good integrated to sell (adding to the available funds for new stuff), and I'm really hoping to do this once and be done with it. I'll be moving from an integrated to separates and from ICE power to analog power. From there on out I'd like my new purchases to be music vs. equipment.

[newzooreview]

To add to my own question, in the past I've had a Marsh Sound Design A400 and a Red Wine Audio Custom Clari-T. They were used in very different systems, obviously, and in both cases I had a key component fail (not the amps) that precipitated a rethink in the rest of the setup.

[floresjc]

Well, its kind of my own fault.

At the time I selected AVA for my gear, I was in Afghanistan and I had already ordered my SongTowers and HT2-TL. In my spare time, I found that AVA was a solid choice given my budget, he offers tremendous value for the money. I was also considering Wyred4Sound and Parasound, but I wanted to stay away from ICE amps after hearing some not so great versions and all the AVA/Salk synergy on the board tipped me that way.

As a guy who's owned $400 home theater in a box set, some AV123 gear, and an Outlaw receiver, going separates was a huge step to begin with. I didn't know anything about tube systems except they existed and were relatively high maintenance, and my knowledge of hybrid systems was exactly zilch. If I'd have know what I know about the Fet Valve back then I would have stretched the extra bucks for a 350. I'm sure I'll get there someday, and I can always go the used route as well.

[revrob]

While I wait for the new equipment, I'm wondering what other folks replaced when they got their AVA gear? I expect my AvaStar and 550 to replace a Wyred4Sound integrated amplifier (STI-1000) driving my Salk HT1-TLs.

I have the Wyred SX-1000 mono blocks with the Salk HT3. What made you move to the AVA gear? I am curious as to the difference in sound.

Thanks,
Steve

[newzooreview]

I have the Wyred SX-1000 mono blocks with the Salk HT3. What made you move to the AVA gear? I am curious as to the difference in sound.

Thanks,
Steve

I haven't been able to compare them side by side, so I don't have an answer to your second question. I have heard the AVA amplifiers and pre-amplifiers with the HT1-TLs and other models of Salk speakers before, however, so I know they sound terrific together. I wanted to move to separates, and the price was comparable to go the AVA route vs. the Wyred4Sound route.

Although I can describe a large number of objectively good things about the Wyred4Sound, something seems off to me in the musicality overall. I can't put my finger on it, but the feeling has grown over the time that I've had it, and it seems to be pushing me to listen for shorter periods of time or to turn off the stereo altogether. The times that I've listened to the AVA gear I've always found it to be very musical (and to have all of the objectively good qualities that I like in the Wyred4Sound). I suppose I will see if I'm right since I'll hold onto the Wyred4Sound until the new AVA gear arrives.

[JerryM]

I just placed my order for an AvaStar pre-amp with remote and a Fet-Valve Ultra+ 550 Double Die. It was enjoyable speak with Frank (and Dean, at first), and I got to explain that my forum name refers back to a strange TV program that I watched as a kid in New Orleans. The show was called New Zoo Revue, and I'm sure that if I saw it again now I would find it fairly bizarre. 

You can check out a re-run of the Revue here. 

Congrats on your new gear, newzoo. Enjoy! 

Have fun,
Jerry

[newzooreview]

You can check out a re-run of the Revue here. 

Congrats on your new gear, newzoo. Enjoy! 

Have fun,
Jerry

Thanks.

I'm afraid to go watch that old episode…well, maybe I'll just take a look for old times' sake.

[turkey]

My AVA gear replaced gear from Jensen's Stereo Shop.

[newzooreview]

My AVA gear replaced gear from Jensen's Stereo Shop.

Funny about that!   

[mathgeek97]

Just got off the phone with Dean at AVA.  My stuff ships today!  Woo hoo!!!!
I'll know soon enough if
Vision EC DAC -> T8+ (EH 6CG7) -> Insight+ Double 260 -> Salk HT2-TL
is the magic combo!

[newzooreview]

Just got off the phone with Dean at AVA.  My stuff ships today!  Woo hoo!!!!
I'll know soon enough if
Vision EC DAC -> T8+ (EH 6CG7) -> Insight+ Double 260 -> Salk HT2-TL
is the magic combo!

Cool. Let us know. I think I'll have mine mid-July, so until then I'll have to live vicariously.

Have you got room treatments up? I'm going to get some panels ordered since I don't think I'll get the most out of the AVA+Salk equipment without some control on room reflections (Frank recommended acoustic wallpaper but since I rent I'll just get some 2" panels.)

[floresjc]

Just got off the phone with Dean at AVA.  My stuff ships today!  Woo hoo!!!!
I'll know soon enough if
Vision EC DAC -> T8+ (EH 6CG7) -> Insight+ Double 260 -> Salk HT2-TL
is the magic combo!

That should really be quite amazing. The HT2-TL's sound really great with my Insight DAC and Double 440, really smooth. Switching out my solid state Insight preamp for the T8 and using the Vision DAC would probably be liquid butter. I bet it sounds really nice.

[Lefty052347]

Mathgeek97:

Your units are packed and ready, but will ship tomorrow (Friday).  UPS had come and gone before they were ready.

Regards,
Dean