[simon wagstaff]

Sorry, just motivated to post this. Had an above average listening session yesterday. Andreas Vollenweider "Caverna Magica" amazing!  I am still somewhat lusting for some new speakers, just because.

Currently and still running the U70 into a pair of Infinity Intermezzo 4.1 with a pair of VMPS smaller subs. the bass response and slam are like nothing I have heard. I know if I give up the Infinities to maybe get a better soundstage i will lose the slam and room bass lock and I just don't think I am ready to give that up.

Also just want to mention I recently upgraded to some Audioquest cables. Columbia interconnect and CV4 speaker wire. Made a surprising difference, cables do matter.

Anyway, back to Sunday!
 

[Wayner]

Glad you enjoy Andreas Vollenweider. He's high on the list over here and we have all of his LPs. That one is one of my favorites and Behind the Wall is another. The U70 will reveal much detail with these recordings.

I think I'll put on Down to the Moon right now.

Wayner

[boycephoto]

Yes, I love my U70 too.  I just put in a new quad of Genalex KT77's this morning, I had Mullard xf2's in there before. I listened to the Genalex right from the start.   They were grainy and harsh at first, smoothed out a lot after the first 15 minuets and had surprising detail by the end of the first hour.  The bias voltage will just barely come up to the 1.56 volts with these tubes, I had no problem with the bias when using the xf2 Mullard or Winged C EL34's.  I am going back to it in just a little while and get some quality father's day listening done.   

[Listens2tubes]

Yes, I love my U70 too.  I just put in a new quad of Genalex KT77's this morning, I had Mullard xf2's in there before. I listened to the Genalex right from the start.   They were grainy and harsh at first, smoothed out a lot after the first 15 minuets and had surprising detail by the end of the first hour.  The bias voltage will just barely come up to the 1.56 volts with these tubes, I had no problem with the bias when using the xf2 Mullard or Winged C EL34's.  I am going back to it in just a little while and get some quality father's day listening done.   

Boy! I hope you can give us some idea of the changes you hear between the 3. This is a comparison I would like to make myself. 

[simon wagstaff]

Nice listening session last night. What really sets the U70 apart in my mind is the dynamics of upper percussion and the "splash" of cymbals, not necessarily the high end extension but the dynamics of them. A good cymbal splash will really perk my ears up.

Last night:

1) Mahavishnu Orchestra:  "Birds of Fire"  haven't listened to this in a while. the remaster is very good. the gong at the beginning is also what I am talking about
2) Alan Parsons Project "Tales of Mystery and Imagination"  More great splashes and soundstage. Legacy Edition
3) Santana "Caravanserai" SACD. Terrific dynamics on all the little drums etc.

A lot of the Andreas Vollenweider albums sound sort of the same to me. I think the one you start with will be your favorite. I do like both Caverna Magica and Book of Roses though.  too bad there were never any SACD or DVD-A released.

[Wayner]

Most of Andreas's albums sound better than anything on SACD to begin with. Try Dancing with the Lion if your looking for something a little different.

Wayner

[simon wagstaff]

I have to agree, most AV Cds are very well recorded. I thought the remaster of Caverna Magica was worthwhile though. His music would really lend itself to the surround treatment.

I have his DVD, I guess I will have to check it out tonight.

[trebejo]

Yesss, the U70 is one sweet, sweet amp!

You Vollenweider guys spin some of that 70's Tangerine Dream on this amp yet? Stratosfear, Rubycon--nice.

This amp does wonderful stuff with electronic music, but acoustic stuff sounds pretty good too. Rubinstein recorded some Beethoven sonatas in the 1950s-60s, and this amp really brings out the rippled rumble of the piano in those recordings.

I hope someday Frank will give some techplanation of why his amps work so well in rendering music (using the word "Fourier" in it somewhere, perhaps  ). Separate musical voices remain separate, lines do not get mushed together... they are great devices for learning about music.

[simon wagstaff]

Yep, and that simple little switcheroo of the wires really made a remarkable difference. Best upgrade I never paid for!

[Opus Flatus]

I'm with you gents on the U70. I love my U70. I love to listen to Bossa Nova on it - just beautiful. Wont get to listen to mine until I get back stateside. Leaves alot to look fwd to.