Yep it’s been a tough run recently for Vera-fi recently.  I have been waiting several months for a pair of items that I was told more than once they would ship within a week.  I understand the tariff, supply chain, shipping hurdles they are  dealing with and even their order backlog to catch up on packing/shipping.  What is frustrating is to “Over Promise And Under Deliver”.  Business 101 = Do not tell customers you are going to do something and not follow through if you want to keep them as customers.
I do love Vera-fi ‘s products and have had excellent customer service over several years so I have no plans to cancel my orders.  Optimistically patient here!

Yet another bot!

The inclusion of Escape Road
a one meter DSR3  cable is a plus, as Decware usually comes with quality accessories.

JHC,
I'm humbled that you took my advice.

I just think that when a person is starting out on something new to them it is probably better to spend as little as possible to make sure that they are moving in the right direction.

The Fiio is the best sounding "Cheap DAC" that I have had the privilege to listen to, and at $175 you don't have much to loose if you don't like streaming.

I currently have my finger on my cursor to click on a cheap DDC reclocker to put in front of my Fiio to see if it sounds even better.
This sickness never goes away!

Haven't listened to this one in a while. Remixes of Monday's material can be a mixed bag. I like these tonight.

Monday Michiru "Alter Ego--Nexus Remixed"

Kenny Burrell "The Road to Love" High Note cd

Nojima Plays Ravel never took off like his earlier Liszt album, and I don't know why. It is a Reference Recordings (literally and figuratively) and music just shimmers. One of the best sounding (and just plain best) piano albums I know.



16/44 FLAC download

Disc 5 of this fascinating set, Bob Dylan Bootleg Series Vol. 18, "Through the Open Window"

click to enlarge




click to enlarge

Actually that comment reinforced my idea to stay away. I have scaled back from "density" of late and found a great balance of sound. Just don't want to upset that balance and start all over again.

I haven't heard the Acme rectifier but I have found one rectifier that is head and shoulders better than others for all three components I have with a rectifier: the PSVANE 274B-Z TREASURE Collector Edition. This rectifier just gives the best foundation I've found and I have two dozen or so others that are just going to gather dust from now on. It's made me feel that the rectifier is NOT the weak link. I don't feel I need another component to take the rectifier's place.

Another Mozart C Major Chamber Masterpiece^tm: the "Dissonance" K465. All of Mozart's mature string quartets are great, but this one is probably my favorite, because it sounds both modern and classical at the same time.



16/44 FLAC download.

No surprise the young Alban Berg Quartett plays both the modern and classical aspects just right.

After spending way (way, way) too much time reading reviews and weighing options I took Donnie's advice and got the Fiio K11. It's my first DAC in what has always been a vinyl only system, so it's hard to make comparisons, but it sounds great (even if I still much prefer vinyl). I don't imagine streaming much, but it's nice to have something cheap and decent that I can engage when I'm not too actively listening.

My experience has been very similar. I canceled my SSZs and it took a really, really long time to get a refund. This after Mark said he was personally going to attend to it, then nothing. Still waiting on a LNBH, but not holding my breath. Figured I would give it another week or so then attempt a refund for that as well...

An acquaintance of mine worked for Verafi. He had nothing good to say about them and told me to stay away from their products.

I don't know why or what had happened, but I do trust my acquaintance.

Fair point, and perhaps complexity isn’t the right word to explain my agida of having to remember a particular sequence vs. just going in to the rig and turning on the amp.

While there is something to be said about simplicity (and the peace of mind that comes with it), I also recognize the fact (or have been recognizing it since this thread started) that the age of outboard rectification is upon us.

The following two para’s from Steve’s recent post from the Dynagrid thread were so telling:

“Anyway, this is about the third or fourth time I've made myself less than thrilled with the sound of the amplifier when running a stock rectifier tube,  even a $400 one.  Proof that everything is relative and you can't un hear things.

The best way I can describe the difference in sound between the $400 ACME 274B in a Sarah, which was one of the better sounding so far, and a DynaGrid Jr. in the Sarah, is like going from LP to a master tape.  The extra density, body, space, ease, dynamics, realism clearly demonstrates that rectifiers are a weak link in the chain.”

I think that admission sealed it for me.  Now, it’s not a matter of if, but when (and which unit).

Really sorry about that experience. I had nothing that even vaguely resembled that from Verafi. I can understand being upset.

I'm looking to buy a Decware amp with XLR inputs. So the SE84UFO2.1 and the Torii and ZMA I believe can be optioned this way. Preferably not the Torii Monos as I'm not looking for that much power.

Thanks for looking!

I agree, Lon. I’m very disappointed. After all rave reviews here in the forum I was very eager to try it.

Tariffs I understand. Parts shortages I understand. Shipping delays I understand. Wait lists I understand. Clear communication I understand. Being told weekly for four months that it will ship in 48 hours and then nothing I DONT understand. I can only tolerate BS like that for so long… probably too long already.

Ok, done ranting.

Finally listening to the final (fourth) cd in the box set Jimi Hendrix Experience "Bold as Love"

hi Morgan, unfortunately I need those xlr inputs so I'll keep looking around. Good luck!
Will

Hey Will, it does not. If you PM me your email, I'm happy to send pictures

I finally have a price.  $1629.00 includes the 845 tube and 36 inch cable along with a stock power cord.  We don't recommend longer cables.  Once I have the owners manual finished and the web site, Sarah will notify everyone on her list who has contacted her of the date and time the units will be available for purchase.  We will have 10 built prior to this time, so it will be a first come first serve for those on her list.  Number 11 and up will go on the short list so you won't have to wait as long as amplifiers.  

We use a Linlai 845 tube that we will have tested in the unit, so we will not delete the tube to lower costs.  We recommend you use it during the 30 day trial and based on that experience if you decide to keep the unit, you can then buy a more expensive one and see if it makes any difference.

I'll post here when the owner's manual is completed.

Steve

hi Morgan, does your ToriV have the optional xlr inputs?

Quote:


You may be overthinking this. It is one more thing to turn on (and off). It needs to warm up but that is true of the tube components you already have. And the "complexity" is a tiny price to pay for the advantages. Of course, JMO/YMMV and all that.

That's too bad. The two LNBH and Snub Station Zeros I have in my system have been amazing. They are going nowhere!

I got mine before the tariff madness was in force.

Thx Adamaley and James for your input.  I never turn off my DAC either (unless I’m changing output tubes) and instead use the remote standby button once done for the day.  As Dynagrid is also nearing completion and I am trying to make up my mind, I wanted to research what, if any, changes, I’d need to incorporate in my start-up routine if I decided to pull the trigger on either solution.  A large part of why I’ve continued to shy away from the STR (in addition to the QC issues), is the added complexity of the start-up (and shutdown) sequence.

After what I consider a stupid amount of communication I was finally able to cancel my LNBH ordered in August and get a refund. I don’t anticipate ever doing business with this company again.

Quote:


Thanks for this. Worked like a charm.

Quote:


I get your point. The manual leaves a lot to be desired, TBF. How are others doing their startup process?

Quote:


I'm certainly not going to tell you to disregard AL's manual, but to me it makes a lot more sense to warmup both the STR and component to which it is attached before putting the STR in engage, or operate in my case. JMO/FWIW and all that.

Also FWIW "quote" is the button that looks kinda like a sheet of paper with an arrow pointing to the right. On the top row of buttons 8th from the right, below the Subject line. You have to copy and paste the text you actually want quoted.

When you turn on the DAC, is that what lights up the tubes? If so I'm curious why you wouldn't do that before you engage the STR.

@CAJames

I'm following the steps on page 2 of the STR-1002 manual Al supplied. I'm open to being corrected. I wouldn't want to be doing and promoting the wrong process.

@CAJames

For some reason, I still don't have the option to quote/or simply can't figure it out, but here goes.

I thought the delta would be minimal, and for $300, I didn't have too much to lose.

I had recently come to terms with the fact that using at least one 845 was a must because the scale - soundstage and image size - can't be replicated by any other tube. Not a 4B32, 805, 8020, DCX4/5000, etc. Having only the Linlai 845 (provided by Al), I had no option but to stick with it although it doesn't bring much else to the table, has some etchiness to it, but at least it's tonally pleasant.

I had been using it in my preamp STR, but never as a pair because that seemed to magnify its shortcomings too much so I always needed to tamper it with some other model of tube. This tended to be a 300b or 5U4G variant most of the time.

I paired the RCA 845 with the Linlai 845 in my Preamp STR first. Then later determined its effect in the DAC was magnitudes better for the overall sound. I will classify this as transformational akin to first trying the STR itself.

Tube Depot has two pairs of RCA 845s as of yesterday because I was looking for backups and the 3 I ordered are coming from scattered sources overseas with long shipping times. I decided against buying them because #FINANCIALDISCIPLINE  ;D

When you turn on the DAC, is that what lights up the tubes? If so I'm curious why you wouldn't do that before you engage the STR.

Art Pepper "The Hollywood All-Star Sessions," disc 3

I always have the power on in the back of the DAC. My sequence is as follows (Both power and engage on STR are in off position when not listening to music):

1. Turn STR power on - wait for a minute - longer if using gas/transmitter tubes

2. Turn engage switch on

3. Turn DAC on with remote/front switch

To turn off:

1. Turn off DAC with remote/front switch

2. Turn off engage switch on STR

3. Turn off power on STR

Hopefully, I've been doing things the correct way  :D

Quote:



Dang. I've been looking off and on for a US made 845 but they were all stupid expensive. If you like it better than the 4B32 that is high praise indeed. Thanks largely to you the 4B32 has put all my 10V DHTs back in the tube caddy. That includes RCA 805s and Elrog 845s that I thought were the last tubes I was going to buy.

Quote:


I'm not exactly sure how the DAC works but the STR has a standby mode. So in general what you do is power up the STR (in standby) and the DAC/AMP in "operate" mode. The STR won't pass high voltage until you switch from standby to operate so until then only the heaters for you component are on. This way all the tubes warmup then when you're ready to listen you switch the STR to operate, your tubes get high voltage after everything is nice and warm and you're ready to listen. This is essentially soft start on steroids.

I believe the Dynagrid works the same way.

I never turn the power off in the back of my Pacific.

A better morning.

Starting off with Joshua Redman "Words Fall Short" Blue Note cd

I like this one a lot.

Adamaley (and any others who are using their STR’s with Lampi DACs with VC and Standby button on remote)—I was curious whether you turn off your DACs completely (from the back), or let it be on standby mode with the STR attached.  

In other words. would the sequence be—-turn STR on, and then flip the DAC to ‘on mode’ OR does the use of the STR necessitate that the DAC must always be completely powered off?

I have tried a stupid number of tubes in my two STR-1002s. I recently got lucky on an eBay auction for an RCA 845 for $300. Wow! This is beyond incredible. Voluminous solidity with resolution for days. I couldn't believe what I was hearing with it in the STR rectifying my Preamp, but once I put it in the STR on my DAC, I was flabbergasted. Reach in and touch realism from a single tube. Impeccable bass control and fantastic mids. I have it paired with an RCA 805.

I simply had to bite the bullet and purchase three more RCA 845s, and just be done with it.  There's no substitute for quality when it comes to the STR. I'm realizing it'll take you as far as you tell it to and never ask questions. I'm my book, it's a component, not an accessory.

One of Mozart's imperishable masterpieces is the String Quintet in C Major, K 515. Even though it is written for 5 string parts it strikes me as at least as symphonic as a lot of symphonies. And the Auryn Quartett (plus viola) play it with both the seriousness it deserves, and the sense of fun that is an essential feature of all chamber music.



On CD

All is sold except I still have 2 matched quads of NOS Tesla E34L tubes for $220 per quad.

Thanks Dan!

Susannah McCorkle "No More Blues" Concord cd

Bass – John Goldsby
Clarinet, Tenor Saxophone – Ken Peplowski
Drums – Terry Clarke
Guitar – Bucky Pizzarelli or Emily Remler
Piano – Dave Frishberg

Oops... see above

The moment some of us have been for! Sarah, in a cherry base. The ice don't even do it justice! For good measure, also a pair of Anniversary Amps in walnut...

Nels Cline "Lovers" Blue Note 2 cd set, disc 1

Thanks for the comments and additional feedback.

@Macfly4 - Is the hum noticable from your listening chair? Is it noticeable during quiet moments in the track? I can deal with a little bit of hum as long as is isn't audible during playback. That is one of the pros for the Rachael, given the upgrades made to handle highly efficient speakers above 100db. Idk....the UFO25 just calls to me...

@JOMAN - absolutely agree with you. I use the Blu-ray player as a budget option right now since it isn't getting any use. A transport upgrade is definitely on my list.

@Bluzrover- it will be interesting to take a look at the signal chain once everything is in place. A lot to consider

Armando Peraza "Wild Thing" Skye/Muzak lp facsimile cd



Recorded June 24, 25, 1968 at Century Sound, New York

Arranged By – Gary McFarland, Mike Abene
Baritone Saxophone – Sol Schilinger
Bass – Bobby Rodriguez
Bass – Chuck Rainey
Congas, Bongos – Armando Peraza
Drums – Donald MacDonald
Flute – Johnny Pacheco
Flute, Alto Saxophone – Sadao Watanabe
Percussion – Cal Tjader, Tommy Lopez
Piano – Chick Corea
Piano, Electric Piano – Mike Abene
Producer – Cal Tjader, Gary McFarland
Trombone – Garnett Brown

For pics, this is near the top of the Frequently Asked Questions page:

https://www.decware.com/cgi-bin/yabb22/YaBB.pl?num=1541104731

How do I upload images?