I'm very close to placing my order

smwick · « **on:** 31 Mar 2011, 03:52 am »

I've been lurking here for a year or so reading everything I can, so when the time can to upgrade my electronics, I would be ready. Well the time has come for a system upgrade, and I believe AVA to be one of the best products for the money. After a brief talk with Dean I'm thinking Fet value ulta+ 350 along with the Vision dac/pre. Currently the speakers are Totem Sttaf's, but I'm "seriously" considering Fritz Carbon 7's. I'm also toying with the 440 double, but the lure of the tubes is calling. I want this to be a lasting purchase. Your thoughts?

dlparker · « **Reply #1 on:** 31 Mar 2011, 04:53 am »

Quote from: smwick on 31 Mar 2011, 03:52 am

I've been lurking here for a year or so reading everything I can, so when the time can to upgrade my electronics, I would be ready. Well the time has come for a system upgrade, and I believe AVA to be one of the best products for the money. After a brief talk with Dean I'm thinking Fet value ulta+ 350 along with the Vision dac/pre. Currently the speakers are Totem Sttaf's, but I'm "seriously" considering Fritz Carbon 7's. I'm also toying with the 440 double, but the lure of the tubes is calling. I want this to be a lasting purchase. Your thoughts?

Can't go wrong with Frank's products. You'll be very happy!

aln · « **Reply #2 on:** 31 Mar 2011, 12:26 pm »

I would go with the 550. One can never have enough power!

rockadanny · « **Reply #3 on:** 31 Mar 2011, 01:07 pm »

I had the Fet Valve Ultra 550 and thought it was da bomb! Could turn out to be the last amp you'll ever buy because it is THAT good. Frank hit it out of the park with this design. Therefore, if you can swing it, go for the extra power in the 550 over the 350. Then you'll never be limited in your future speaker selection. Highly recommended.

2gumby2 · « **Reply #4 on:** 31 Mar 2011, 01:16 pm »

I've been a satisfied AVA customer since discovering AVA in 2003 so I can enthusiastically recommend any of Frank's products. Also, I most highly recommend the Fritz Speakers Carbon 7s. I heard them at RMAF and consider them to be one of the best values in Hi-Fi. If I had more room at my residence I'd buy a pair right away.

AVnerdguy · « **Reply #5 on:** 31 Mar 2011, 02:08 pm »

I had one of the all SS amps for about 30 days but traded it in (thanks to Frank's great try it out policy) on a FetValve 550+ Double. An outstanding product that I enjoy more evreytime I listen to it. Had it for about a year and can say it was one of the best investments I've made. Nice tube front end and great MOSFET power output. The power is great but the detail is astonishing. I haven't heard the 350 but it shares the same pedigree so you will have a great amp.

kingdeezie · « **Reply #6 on:** 31 Mar 2011, 03:59 pm »

Quote from: smwick on 31 Mar 2011, 03:52 am

I've been lurking here for a year or so reading everything I can, so when the time can to upgrade my electronics, I would be ready. Well the time has come for a system upgrade, and I believe AVA to be one of the best products for the money. After a brief talk with Dean I'm thinking Fet value ulta+ 350 along with the Vision dac/pre. Currently the speakers are Totem Sttaf's, but I'm "seriously" considering Fritz Carbon 7's. I'm also toying with the 440 double, but the lure of the tubes is calling. I want this to be a lasting purchase. Your thoughts?

I have never heard any AVA gear personally, so I don't want this post to sound like I am saying anything negative about AVA...

However, you are not going to get a truly unbiased answer about AVA gear on the AVA circle. This is a universal truth with almost any company here and their respective circles.

If you want this to be a lasting purchase reading is not really enough; its only the start.

Your room, your equipment, your tastes are all specific to you, and listening to what other people are typing only gets your buying into a hype of sorts; and you might not be happy with your purchase.

You also don't seem very confident with your speaker choice either, stating you are thinking about Fritz Carbons. IMHO, the speakers and the amplifier are usually one and the same and need to work together. I have learned this the hard way.

Good luck!

Wayner · « **Reply #7 on:** 31 Mar 2011, 04:20 pm »

That is why there is a 30 day money back guarantee, as all rooms, all systems, all speakers are not the same. It's fairly risk free.

Wayner

mark funk · « **Reply #8 on:** 31 Mar 2011, 09:26 pm »

As the Wayner said, you have 30 days. If it were me and I had the cash on hand I would get a Double Ultra+ 550 and you would be able to drive just about any speaker out there.
And he is right, I am sure not too many people here are going to rag on Frank or his stuff too much, you know like my T-5 power switch that has been blinking on and off for the last year.

Just have not had time to call Frank to get a new one.
Good luck.

smwick · « **Reply #9 on:** 31 Mar 2011, 10:15 pm »

Thanks guy's for your thoughts, I appreciate it. Ok, the order has been made. After speaking with Frank, I ordered a Fet Valve Ultra+ double 350, along with the Vision Dac/pre with remote. Won't ever need the 80 extra watts of the 550 in this house. And if I move and have a huge room with very inefficient speakers and want to drive them to insane levels, I'll upgrade to the double 550. But I doubt that will ever happen. Anyway, I very excited about this purchase and can't wait to have a listen. Should be a very nice upgrade from my Rega Mira 3 integrated amp. I will still be using the Rega Apollo cdp, but it will now become a transport.

rockadanny · « **Reply #10 on:** 31 Mar 2011, 10:59 pm »

Congrats!

I think you will really be happy with this gear.
Excellent products with excellent service!
Please report back after everything settles in.

smwick · « **Reply #11 on:** 31 Mar 2011, 11:26 pm »

Quote from: rockadanny on 31 Mar 2011, 10:59 pm

Congrats! I think you will really be happy with this gear.
Excellent products with excellent service!
Please report back after everything settles in.

Will do, and thank you.

jimdgoulding · « **Reply #12 on:** 1 Apr 2011, 12:33 am »

It's been many years since I owned Frank's mods of the Dyna Stereo 70 and PAS3 pre. The reason that I am posting is to say that with the Carbon 7s, that sounds like a high value, high performing system, indeed. Best to you.

pardales · « **Reply #13 on:** 1 Apr 2011, 01:09 am »

Enjoy!

smwick · « **Reply #14 on:** 1 Apr 2011, 01:56 am »

Quote from: jimdgoulding on 1 Apr 2011, 12:33 am

It's been many years since I owned Frank's mods of the Dyna Stereo 70 and PAS3 pre. The reason that I am posting is to say that with the Carbon 7s, that sounds like a high value, high performing system, indeed. Best to you.

Thanks. Yeah, From everything I've read and after speaking with Fritz, I think it should be a killer system. Also, Fritz is a great guy, very knowledgeable and loves talking audio. 30 day trail on all equipment is reassuring as well.

jimdgoulding · « **Reply #15 on:** 1 Apr 2011, 02:45 am »

Well then, let us know.

JerryM · « **Reply #16 on:** 1 Apr 2011, 03:10 am »

Congrats on the sweet upgrade!

I have an Ultra 550 with a T-8 pre. I was fortunate enough to have Fritz let me demo a pair of Carbons "in home" for a couple of weeks. The music sounded sooo very good. You are in for many a smiling night listening to tunes.

And you're rIght about Fritz - He's a great guy.

Hopefully one day Frank and Fritz hook up a demo room at AKFest or something. Franks great gear and Fritz's awesome speakers play really, really nicely together. Good job!

Have fun,

Jerry

smwick · « **Reply #17 on:** 1 Apr 2011, 06:43 am »

Quote from: JerryM on 1 Apr 2011, 03:10 am

Congrats on the sweet upgrade!

I have an Ultra 550 with a T-8 pre. I was fortunate enough to have Fritz let me demo a pair of Carbons "in home" for a couple of weeks. The music sounded sooo very good. You are in for many a smiling night listening to tunes.

And you're rIght about Fritz - He's a great guy.

Hopefully one day Frank and Fritz hook up a demo room at AKFest or something. Franks great gear and Fritz's awesome speakers play really, really nicely together. Good job!

Have fun,

Jerry

Thanks for a great review of the Carbon 7's Jerry, I really enjoyed it. Yes it does sound like a sweet combo indeed. I'm looking forward to hearing my Sttaf's with the AVA equipment. I still have to speak with Fritz again before I pull the trigger on the Carbon 7. I will post a review once I've spent some time with the AVA gear.

smwick · « **Reply #18 on:** 1 Jun 2011, 08:55 am »

Ok, time for a quick update. I picked up my amp and dac/pre on Monday and have spent maybe an hour or so having a listen. Right out of the box it sounded better than my Rega Mira3 integrated amp but not by much. However it had not even warmed up yet, not used to having tubes. After ten minutes or so it began to improve dramatically. It now has great bass definition and impact. Drums sound wonderful. There is much more bottom end than I had with the Rega Mira3 and way tighter as well. I didn't know what I was missing. Vocals are fantastic, very revealing. The best I can describe it is I can now really see into the music. My Totem Sttafs have never sounded so good. Also, I notice that I can now listen at a much higher volume than before and the music is just as clean as lower volume listening. I am very pleased with my purchase and look forward to many hours of listening.

trebejo · « **Reply #19 on:** 1 Jun 2011, 10:53 pm »

Quote from: smwick on 1 Jun 2011, 08:55 am

I didn't know what I was missing. Vocals are fantastic, very revealing. The best I can describe it is I can now really see into the music.

Ah yes, a familiar outcome! Welcome to the club.