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Post by AudioHTIT on Jun 20, 2013 1:37:10 GMT -5
I don't think anyone's wearing rose colored glasses, or that Emo needs to adapt, they get it; at EmoFest Dan said he thinks the future of music is in (digital) streaming. (Just about) everyone knows digital is the 'standard' for music reproduction, not necessarily the 'reference', but what most products and companies need to embrace (and do). The analog / digital conversation is mostly about sources, the world is still analog; our ears, the air, speakers, amplifiers are analog.
Emotiva still delivers products to a niche market - like all of the other high end companies who offer something different. Neither those who want only digital sources - or those who want to add analog/vinyl - should be excluded from these new products.
It seems then it comes down to whether you should include a DAC - whose technology still seems to be changing - into an even more niche product like a tube preamp - who's technology is well established. Whether kids (like Booms daughter) listen to digital or not isn't really that relevant here, most of them aren't buying tube preamps anyway (that is what we're talking about right?)
This seems similar to the discussion about a next gen DAC (XDA-3 or RDA-1), do you add analog, HT bypass, bass management? Can a high quality DAC be built into a tube preamp? What do you do when a another DAC feature comes along that you want (HDMI / I2S)? I'm not sure a tube preamp is the place to play the "digital is the future" card, and if it's not played I don't think it means that Emotiva 'doesn't get it'.
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Post by luvtubes on Jul 2, 2013 22:57:14 GMT -5
One thing I have not seen discussed here is using a two(or even three) chassis design to isolate the power supply and output sections from each other. The best sounding preamps I have ever heard offer full channel separation and isolation of the power supply from the output sections.
Pass Labs for example, uses three chassis in the XP-30, which is considered by many reviewers as the standard by which others are judged. All serious high end designs have begun to take a similar path. For me, a Carver branded, no holds barred TOTL preamp, has to be able to rise to the level of being able to take on all comers in the field, destroy them all in performance, and still cost half as much as they do. It was this idea that led to the birth of the Carver Corporation in the 1970's, and was the basis of their success for 20 years. It is also what the Emo brand has been doing, so the underlying philosophy is the same.
I don't care about DAC's and stuff, but if it could offer one that was internal, that could work. I do thing the inclusion of a phono stage is a mandatory move however as it would set the pre apart from the rest.
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Post by Boomzilla on Oct 6, 2013 4:04:31 GMT -5
Mr. DYohn has chided me repeatedly saying that my system needs a stereo preamp. I'm about to listen to him. My choices are two:
1. Wait for the Emotiva tube preamp or
2. Buy an Audio Research line stage
The reason I exclude other preamps is because I haven't heard them and because the preamp colors (or not) the sound of EVERYTHING played by the system. The William Z. Johnson products that I've heard were dynamic, clean, extended, and neutral. I'm hoping that Mr. Carver's efforts for Emotiva will render equivalent sound for less money. Yet another reason to favor Audio Research is that, unlike many competitors in the tube arena, the company has survived the test of time. If I need service or parts, they'll be there. The only other companies with that track record (that I can think of offhand) are McIntosh & Conrad-Johnson.
So recommend me some models, youse guys!
Thanks - Boomzilla
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Post by brubacca on Oct 6, 2013 8:44:56 GMT -5
Can't you just use the analog in on the Stealth DC-1?
I've been looking at the Rogue Audio and Prima Luna tube Pre-amps. Reviews seem to praise them as modern tube products, with a mostly neutral character plus a bit of tube flavor.
I work within reason of the Rogue factory and may try to see if I could visit.
I wish I knew more about a possible Emotiva Tube Pre, because I wouldn't be against waiting a reasonable amount of time.
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Post by Boomzilla on Oct 6, 2013 8:50:30 GMT -5
Yeah, I can use the analog of the Stealth, but I'm skeptical that it'll provide the soundstage that my Jolida tube DAC does. We'll see...
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Post by Boomzilla on Oct 17, 2013 8:35:10 GMT -5
Has Emotiva given any hints as to when a tube preamp might be available? I plan to buy one just to see how it sounds...
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Post by garbulky on Oct 17, 2013 10:12:59 GMT -5
They mentioned they are posting some tube product(s) this weeekend! You might want to wait to check out the DC-1 with those Maggies direct to the power amp before you do. I have a feeling - no facts - that the sale will extend to christmas.
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Post by luvtubes on Oct 18, 2013 1:56:07 GMT -5
Gary Dodd builds some of the best sounding preamps I have yet heard, and he is a wonderful guy to deal with as well. Another highly regarded piece would be a Joule Electra, and the Audio Note L3
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Post by Boomzilla on Oct 19, 2013 7:25:14 GMT -5
Every other preamp maker that I've seen wants top buck for their gear. I'm hoping that Emotiva can produce the same or better quality at a fraction of the cost. If not, then I'll buy a relic and hot-rod it myself. There are scads of Heathkits, Dynas, etc. available for fractions of what they're worth. Parts to rebuild the whole thing are cheap, and the cost of the chassis + parts is less than just about any other preamp on the market (excepting maybe some of the Chinese jobs, which don't strike me as being very well-built).
I'd sure prefer to wait for Emotiva, though...
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Post by ocezam on Oct 20, 2013 8:09:58 GMT -5
(excepting maybe some of the Chinese jobs, which don't strike me as being very well-built). Actually, some of those "Chinese Jobs" are very well built. Don't forget Emotiva is manufactured in China. Jolida has been doing manufacturing in China, and final assembly in the U.S. for about twice as long as Emotiva. Having the final assembly in the U.S. enables them to customize the units for the personal tastes of the end user. I could name some other Chinese firms that manufacture quality tube electronics but will not do it here as it's not the place to do so IMHO. I also hope Emotiva markets some affordable tube gear in the near future. It's the only scenario that I see that would get me to pry my fingers off of my wonderful Jolidas! In the mean time, I'm glad I didn't wait, I love my amps! Peace |
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Post by Boomzilla on Oct 20, 2013 9:44:52 GMT -5
Thanks, Ocezam - You're right of course. Most manufacturers now use Chinese factories. Yes, Jolida is excellent gear. I'm still waiting for the Emotiva tubes...
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Post by harrison20 on Oct 20, 2013 21:03:18 GMT -5
I was expecting to see their tube products posted on the website "this week". Perhaps by this week they meant by 2/14/2014?
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Post by Jim on Oct 20, 2013 21:06:18 GMT -5
Thanks, Ocezam - You're right of course. Most manufacturers now use Chinese factories. Yes, Jolida is excellent gear. I'm still waiting for the Emotiva tubes... I'd really love to see Emotiva still do some of the manufacturing of the tube amps in Franklin. It was inspiring to see the assembly stations (for Carver amps) @ EmoFest..... and to see that they aren't kidding about hand soldering! It's been ages since I've seen any manufacturing in the US, firsthand.. I'm hoping they can apply everything they've learned to build some real nice tube amps, I might even consider one! |
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KeithL
Administrator 
Posts: 10,274
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Post by KeithL on Oct 21, 2013 1:18:35 GMT -5
I'm a little curious why, if your criteria are "dynamic, clean, extended, and neutral", you would specifically choose a tube preamp..... Also, just a trivial FYI, but you do realize that McIntosh was bought in the last year, right? (So I wouldn't consider their future to be at all certain.) Mr. DYohn has chided me repeatedly saying that my system needs a stereo preamp. I'm about to listen to him. My choices are two: 1. Wait for the Emotiva tube preamp or 2. Buy an Audio Research line stage The reason I exclude other preamps is because I haven't heard them and because the preamp colors (or not) the sound of EVERYTHING played by the system. The William Z. Johnson products that I've heard were dynamic, clean, extended, and neutral. I'm hoping that Mr. Carver's efforts for Emotiva will render equivalent sound for less money. Yet another reason to favor Audio Research is that, unlike many competitors in the tube arena, the company has survived the test of time. If I need service or parts, they'll be there. The only other companies with that track record (that I can think of offhand) are McIntosh & Conrad-Johnson. So recommend me some models, youse guys! Thanks - Boomzilla |
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KeithL
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Post by KeithL on Oct 21, 2013 1:22:27 GMT -5
I do think it's safe to say that the DC-1 will deliver an accurate sound stage; but I haven't heard the Jolida, so I can't say how they compare. Yeah, I can use the analog of the Stealth, but I'm skeptical that it'll provide the soundstage that my Jolida tube DAC does. We'll see... |
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Oct 21, 2013 16:44:55 GMT -5
I'm a little curious why, if your criteria are "dynamic, clean, extended, and neutral", you would specifically choose a tube preamp..... Also, just a trivial FYI, but you do realize that McIntosh was bought in the last year, right?
(So I wouldn't consider their future to be at all certain.)
Mr. DYohn has chided me repeatedly saying that my system needs a stereo preamp. I'm about to listen to him. My choices are two: 1. Wait for the Emotiva tube preamp or 2. Buy an Audio Research line stage The reason I exclude other preamps is because I haven't heard them and because the preamp colors (or not) the sound of EVERYTHING played by the system. The William Z. Johnson products that I've heard were dynamic, clean, extended, and neutral. I'm hoping that Mr. Carver's efforts for Emotiva will render equivalent sound for less money. Yet another reason to favor Audio Research is that, unlike many competitors in the tube arena, the company has survived the test of time. If I need service or parts, they'll be there. The only other companies with that track record (that I can think of offhand) are McIntosh & Conrad-Johnson. So recommend me some models, youse guys! Thanks - Boomzilla Although McIntosh was sold last year, it's good to see the new owner(Fine Sound) has an audio history of also owning other top brands. Fine Sound is the parent company of Sonus faber, Audio Research, Wadia and Sumiko. That would make me feel a little better about the future of the brand. |
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Post by brubacca on Oct 21, 2013 18:57:24 GMT -5
Fine Sounds did a fine job with the Sonus Faber Venere line of speakers. Sonus Faber quality at a price point more people can afford. Maybe McIntosh will come out with some products in the 1.5k to 2.5k range instead of 4k+.
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Post by PGT on Oct 21, 2013 20:44:34 GMT -5
McIntosh was actually sold long before that....at least once (to Clarion Corporation and again to a venture capital firm IIRC).
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Post by Boomzilla on Oct 21, 2013 21:27:32 GMT -5
Any guesses as to when an Emotiva tube product might become available for purchase?
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Post by GreenKiwi on Oct 21, 2013 23:21:23 GMT -5
Any guesses as to when an Emotiva tube product might become available for purchase? They had suggested that they would be updated on the web site this past weekend. |
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