I've been jones-ing to try AVA forever.

1) they are 5 miles from me and make great stuff
2) I do want to try the Synergy 450 against my ZMA
3) running my Adagio's will be fun too...... .

http://www.enjoythemusic.com/magazine/equipment/0912/audio_by_van_alstine_synerg...

http://avahifi.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=165&Itemid=2...

Anyone have any experience with Van Alstine?
I would run my CSP3 in to it of course.



PS = ZMA stays put = masterpiece.

My ZMA can drive my modified Adagio's.....borrowing the words of a Reviewer: "with slutty voluptuousness. ....For brilliant Van Gogh colors, verdant textures, or riotous debauchery."





Listening Room:


Room Treatments from Michael Green & Home Brew

Sony as Transport (DVP-NS57P)/Sandwich weighted for Isolation

Illuminati D-60 Digital Coax IC

Shunyata Research Ztron Alpha Digital Power Cord to ZDSD!

Decware ZDSD DAC / Recorder
***************************************************************
W/Steve's Output Transformer's/kicking to the curb quite a few superb DAC'S!
***************************************************************
(@ -20 Ref Level, 0.0 Input volume and @ 16/192)

WBT-0102Ag RCA Kimber Select KS1030

Decware CSP3 w/Jupiter Caps
(NOS/Platinum/Telefunken 6922/E88CC for Input Tube~NOS Platinum Ediswan Cryogenic 6922's for Output Tubes & 5U4G-C Rectifier)
****************************************************
10 of 10 for Input tube & *9* of 10 voltage for Output tubes
Volume adjustment usage at 25% to 55% from 0
****************************************************

WBT-0102Ag RCA Kimber Select KS1030

Decware Zen Mystery Amplifier
~BIASED at *60* mA~
(NOS/Platinum/Ediswan's CV2492/6922 in my A12 an B12 positions~Cryoset 6H23N-EB's for Inverter Tubes~JAN Sylvania 0A3's & New Quad of Tube Depot Stealth/Tung-Sol KT66's)
ZMA adjusted at 10%, 15% to 25% max, from 0

***************************************************
Kimber Select KS6063 Speaker Cable 8ft WBT-0681-Ag Spades
***************************************************

Acoustic Zen Adagio - Black Pearl (Modified)
.....from 8ohm Taps




Acoustic Zen Adagio's x-over's Modified/Full Range with Mundorf MCap Supremes-single Cap to each Tweeter/4.5k cross
(Gutted: 3kHz/18dB/Octave, Linkwitz/Riley Crossovers....with all crappy parts = gone)


XLO Pro Power Cords to CSP3 an ZMA
PS Audio P3 Power Plant / Pangea AC-9SE from wall to P3
(Transport, ZDSD an CSP3, Regenerated/*122*~ Multiwave off...ZMA on High Current Output)
***************************************************************************

PS: NOS/Platinum/Ediswan's CV2492/6922 /Inputs = ZMA are breathtaking.............. .

*Also: Cryoset 6H23N-EB's, rotated in and out of Inputs/ZMA*
(Way different internal guts/halo/getter...they are NOT 6N23P-EV's)

NOS/Platinum/Telefunken 6922/E88CC for Input Tube/CSP3 ~ not taken for granted neither......... .

NOS/Platinum/Ediswan's CV2492/6922 /PRE Outputs of CSP3, running  into ZMA Inputs with Ediswan's = revelatory!

I used to own a whole van alstine setup...Synergy amp HT ---Fet vavle preamp--Fet valve dac.  I loved the combo very musical and clear...someone once described it like seeing thru glass into the music and for me it was like that.  at the timeI was using Vapor audio Breeze speakers and it was a great match.  I got rid of them and went the all tube route and high efficient speakers instead.  I still debate to get another  van alstine setup just because I loved it that much.  Also Frank is great to deal with and top notch customer service.  Its really nice that there are sooo many gereat companies to deal with.

Sadly I did not have my MKIV torri when I had the van alstine so no direct comparison.  Also one more thing, I had the van alstine vision dac in my system the longest and the only thing that made me get rid of it was the ZDSD dac,  that just made the vision dac sound thin and before that I never felt it was thin sounding at all.

I have worked for Frank Van Alstine, part time, for the past couple years.  I own a Synergy 450, a FetValve 400R, an ABX comparator, and can borrow just about anything they make.  The real gem that has come out of there in the past few years is the phono preamp that supports both moving magnet and moving coil phono cartridges.  For $500 its a steal and sounds amazing.

Stone - if you want to try something, I'd be glad to make it happen.

Dan

Thanks Dan, very much appreciated. I will follow up with you over the next month. I would like to try the Synergy 450.

Stone

The Synergy 450 and FetValve 400/600 are all common ground.  The new 1000w FetValve monoblocks, which will be released shortly - Frank will be using a pair at the upcoming Axpona audio show in Chicago in April, are the only amps AVA makes that are not common ground.

Those speakers look awesome

Dan

Hello guys.  I am an owner of an original Torii.  I blew out a tube and right now I'm not in the mood to replace, etc.  I'm thinking of getting a Van Alstine, 240, to go with an original CSP.  

How will that sound?

I have a pair of Decware floorstanding speakers.  Ziggy made them for me.  I want to say the model is MG944 or MG994, but I can't remember.  They are an early version.  I don't see them sold on the Decware site.  So, I don't know if they are in production any longer.  They sound great.

What exactly is the double die option and what does it do for me?

Lon, I read the article, but I'm a technical dummy and I didn't understand what it meant.  If I ever decide to go this way I'll call them up and ask them to translate into English.

Here is a little info:
http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=94595.msg944663#msg944663

This post is also in the Axpona thread....but it belongs here too.

My Quest for Van Alstine.

Dan, now that my Listening Room is all set, including NOS Tubes, I want the common ground (I need for my Polk 1.2's) Fet Valve 600R for my Solid State Rig. Savings plan for the summer of 2017 purchase has now commenced.

http://polksda.com/pdfs/SDASRS1-2.pdf

http://avahifi.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=263&Itemid=2....

I'd love to hear those mono's too (at Axpona or here)! 1.2's can handle up to 1000 watts (even though they can't use unmodified mono-blocks). Damn the square wave odd order clipping.....full speed ahead. However, the 600R Fet Valve ought to combat that some, and will fit my needs quite nicely.

Going to probably need an improvement of my Preamp too. Even though this Rotel is a champ...with Meridian (like/type) split foil caps....makes a great 3 input Preamplifier for Solid State. (Solid State Rig, not to be confused with Listening Room Rig.....obviously).





Solid State Rig:

Pro-Ject Debut Carbon III
Pro-Ject Phono Box II
Audio Quest Diamond from Phono Box to Rotel
Sony Bravia XBR 4k
Panasonic BluRay
Kimber Hero WBT to Rotel from Panasonic
Dish Network HD
Kimber KCAG from Dish DVR to Rotel
Rotel 1062 as Preamp
Kimber Timbre to XPA-2
Emotiva XPA-2
Kimber Kable PK10 PALLADIAN Power Cable to XPA-2
Kimber 8TC to Polk's
Polk SRS SDA 1.2
{IN FULL STEREO DIMENSIONAL ARRAY ~ GLORY}

HSU Research
MBM-12 MK2  ....behind Couch




Listening Room:


Room Treatments from Michael Green & Home Brew

Sony as Transport (DVP-NS57P)/Sandwich weighted for Isolation

Illuminati D-60 Digital Coax IC

Shunyata Research Ztron Alpha Digital Power Cord to ZDSD
{Extremely Significant}

Decware ZDSD DAC / Recorder
***************************************************************
W/Steve's Output Transformer's/kicking to the curb quite a few superb DAC'S!
***************************************************************
(@ -20 Ref Level, 0.0 Input volume and @ 16/192)

WBT-0102Ag RCA Kimber Select KS1030

Decware CSP3 w/Jupiter Caps
(NOS/Platinum/Telefunken 6922/E88CC for Input Tube~NOS/Platinum/E188CC 7308 Cryogenic Mullard's for Output Tubes & 5U4G-C Rectifier)
****************************************************
10 of 10 for Input tube & *9* of 10 voltage for Output tubes
Volume adjustment usage at 25% to 55% from 0
****************************************************

WBT-0102Ag RCA Kimber Select KS1030

Decware Zen Mystery Amplifier
~BIASED at *60* mA~
(NOS/Platinum/E188CC 7308 Cryogenic Mullard's in my A12 an B12 positions~Ediswan CV2492/6922's for Inverter Tubes~JAN Sylvania 0A3's & New Quad of Tube Depot Stealth/Tung-Sol KT66's)
ZMA adjusted at 20%, 25 to 30% max, from 0

***************************************************
Kimber Select KS6063 Speaker Cable 8ft WBT-0681-Ag Spades
***************************************************

Acoustic Zen Adagio - Black Pearl (Modified)
.....from 8ohm Taps




Acoustic Zen Adagio's x-over's Modified/Full Range with Mundorf MCap Supremes-single Cap to each Tweeter/4.5k cross
(Gutted: 3kHz/18dB/Octave, Linkwitz/Riley Crossovers....with all crappy parts = gone)


XLO Pro Power Cords to CSP3 an ZMA
PS Audio P3 Power Plant / Pangea AC-9SE from wall to P3
(Transport, ZDSD an CSP3, Regenerated/*122*~ Multiwave off...ZMA on High Current Output)
****************************************************************************

Jeff, glad you know the difference now between Solid State (Krell) and the ZMA.

I made it pretty clear in my post, I'm potentially buying the Fet Valve 600R to replace my XPA-2 only....in my Solid State Rig. ?????

My Listening Room...via every cable and NOS Tubes, exists....because Solid State can't touch the Fidelity of it/in Listening Room......nough' said. My NOS Tubes, Shunyata power cord, Kimber KS6063's and modifying my Adagio's with Mundorf Mcap Supremes (kicks the piss out of anything under 10k/Speaker's), have really topped off the Fidelity.

What I would allow in my Listening Room System, would be these (see reply#10 in the Decware Solid State thread):

"I've considered purchasing First Watt for years:
http://renohifi.com/FirstInStock.htm

and recently the Pass 30.8
http://renohifi.com/PassUsed/PassUsedInStock.htm

Pass Labs XA-30.8 class-A stereo power amp.  Point-8! Demo, excellent condition, about two months old,  three years transferable factory warranty, all factory accessories, new factory double-boxing, Satisfaction Guaranteed.  S/N 30778.  $4995.  




However, I'm so pleased with my CSP3 with ZMA + the best NOS Tubes from Kevin at Upscale = I'm good....with killer quality bass Matchstik.... .

PS=I might eventually have a 30.8 in for fun!
(the 30.8 has been measured to put out 61 watts/ch of continuous power CLASS A)

Like Steve said....get a ZMA to run with your Decware Pre.   Cool."

Always read the whole story.  8-)

Keep the review coming Match.

AVA for my other Rig will be happening for me in 2017. I got lucky affording the ZMA a couple years ago. Also, sold some gear last year to buy NOS tubes, Power cord and Speaker cable....etc..... . Other half of those sales-went to kids college tuition.

I see your point/not fussin' around with tubes sometimes. But, I need both System's. One reminds of the other's strengths and weaknesses. The ZMA mostly reminds me of the other Rig's weaknesses though. However, the other System is pretty damn good. AVA would be a nice lifetime/set it and forget it. I love to Rock out my SRS SDA Polk 1.2's....but also enjoy their low volume SDA function subtly.

Plus, AVA is right done the road from me. I can order for pickup!  

Oh, man, I think my head is about to explode.

My goal is to build a system that can provide enjoyment for the next 10 years.  I have been off the upgrade path for 10+ years now and trust me, the GAS can kill you and drive you crazy.

My current components have served me well.  They just need some upgrading to something stable but not necessarily dazzling, if you know what I mean.   And, I think you do.

Let us know if you prefer it over the Tori? I went from a Krell SS to tube and yes the Krell SS had more "slam" I take you mean a bit more drive in the upper bass and low mid such as with drums? Anyway it was not as musical as tube so I don't miss the added pressure of SS since to me it now seemed to sound like just amplified music and not as real as tubes.

The system is still in change.

It has become apparent that some things just depend on the recording.  Acoustic recordings are very good, almost amazing.  Beck's Sea Change sounds outstanding.  Simon and Garfunkel's Greatest hits is fantastic.  I've never heard The Boxer with that much clarity.  However, rock music isn't exactly bowling me over.  Boston's first sounds terrible.  In fact, most anything with distorted guitars sound small.

I didn't get a chance to review vinyl yet.  Hopefully, this weekend I can do that.  I've got a new tube for the ZBOX arriving this week.  It dawned on me that the tube in the ZBOX hasn't been changed in maybe 8 years, if that.

I still think I need a better source and a CSP3 to really let things shine, but it is promising.  More than last week.

My brother was over to my house this weekend and I had him listen to David Gilmour's new release, Rattle That Lock.  He said it sounded glorious.  That's a good sign.  Maybe, I'm jaded as to what good sound is good sound.

So, hopefully, everything goes great.

Oh yeah, my PS Audio P3 and Shunyata Alpha Digital Pcord, are a must.

My crappy recordings are spun in the SS Rig passively.
In which, if I had to attach a percentage to....of my 700 Disc's and 180+ pieces of Vinyl....is only 10 to 15% crap.
Love SiriusXM Satellite Radio with the big Polk's too. HT and my Vinyl.

So, for me the two Rigs are a must. Decware is the whole other world System that most of my friends can't wrap their brains around. They can hear the difference....they are just not willing to pay for it. So, my SS Rig listed above is the WOW(!!!!) for them.

......especially when I deliver damn near 600 watts per channel thru the Polk 1.2's.....from Concert Disc's or Daryl's House from my DVR.

Oh yeah, I have to back the SPL's off and find the sweet spot db SPL's. The shear SCALE of the event/sound can't be beat....for that sort of thing that includes the visual.

Decware/Kimber Select/and my modded Adagio's is where the real music lives. Thank goodness!

PS - my Listener's "git it" too....but they can't wrap their brains around the cost....and are not willing to pay for it. So, it is fun to have the over achieving mid-fi SS Rig that they can understand. Vinyl in SDA...is damn good with it....for such a modest Vinyl set up I have.

I understand/different tastes.

What really freaks them out is my bevy of 2K worth of NOS Platinum 6922 tube types. Takes my Decware CSP3 and ZMA to a whole other level. Stock is good. NOS Plat' and Kimber Select....other worldly.

Anyway, I digress. Match, keep the AVA news coming down the Pike with more time on her.

Yeah, I've paid some expense for my NOS 6922 types. However, very pleased with the results and plan on getting quite a few years out of them.

I only tell a select few what I have invested in my Decware based System. These are the same people that own  32K+ boats, they only use four hours each/four times in June, July and August and make payments year round on them. I/we use/listen/enjoy~relax with our Music System's, 1000+ hours per year vs. their 48 to 64 hours of boat usage. THIS OBJECTIVE FACT, PUTS IT IN PERSPECTIVE FOR THEM.  

I've got boxes of gear from 10 years ago; a bunch of massive PS Audio cables, some new PS Audio power receptacles that I can use.  I don't see myself spending big $$$ on power cables.  I've got Blue Jean cables from way, way long ago that will need to fit the bill.  They have to.

I will spend some money on some new source component.  What I have is so old and some of the new gear available can provide superior results.

I plan to go on this upgrade path for about 2 years; this and next.  I think I'll concentrate on the digital side for the rest of this year and finish off with the vinyl side for next year.

I've got about 300 LPs, quite of few NOS and 180 gram re-issues and about 1200 CDs.  

As for how loud I get....not very loud.  I listen in the evenings when I get home from work and sometimes I listen in the early morning hours, around 2am on weekends.  So, I don't need lots of power.

I've got 2 older Decware amps that still have lots of life in them but they require maintenance and tube replacement.  I've got a Marshall amp that I recently re-tubed and that wasn't cheap.  So, hence, the AVA amp.  It may never achieve Decware sonics but I think with a Decware pre-amp it can achieve remarkable levels.  The thing that I've come to like about the AVA is the bottom end.  Steve says the ZMA can get that bottom end which I think it can but the AVA was so much cheaper and probably much less to maintain as far as tube replacement.   There is something about that sneaky bottom end that adds something special with it rears its head.

I know that with this hobby there is always another step to climb, another level, another plateau.  I just need to get high enough to deliver satisfaction.  I hope that step isn't too high.

As Lon stated, I've spent $$$ money that I sometimes regret doing and if I had to do it again I might not do it the same way.

:D Great to read.

Yes, as you stated and Lon.....I've spent a lot of $$$ over the years. Sure, last year I sold 9K of gear, I was not using. However, I only averaged 58 cents on the original dollar spent. I'm done for a few years moving forward. I want AVA's best with POWER downstairs/SS Rig.....but it will have to wait.

I think you're right about your Decware Pre and Speaker's, with the AVA. Enjoy.

Playing around with tone controls.

And enjoying this one again.