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Post by garbulky on Aug 11, 2013 16:22:43 GMT -5
You may also instead of focusing on a tube DAC - which is definitely a decent option, I heard the Jolida tube dac and it was good - focus on a tube pre-amp or a tube buffer. Tube buffer's tend to be a lot cheaper if cost is anything to be worried about. As for GAF for room treatments - carpets, even area rugs on the floor are actually decently high on GAF. The room treatments do not have to look like styrofoam at all. They have room panels that look like paintings. Or at least colorful fabric. So at the entry level for girlfriend acceptance in decorative panels we have: www.atsacoustics.com/panelsTHe red fabric especially can look quite nice depending on your paint scheme. If you want more than plain colors you could go for these www.atsacoustics.com/art-acoustic-panels.htmlYou do want bass traps for sure also in different colors: www.atsacoustics.com/bass-trap-d.htmlAnd honestly there's a lot of suggestions for room panels and I myself know very little about. So starting a thread about room treatments will bring you better options. Thickness, size and placement do matter for room panels. If I'm not incorrect, the ticker the better it does for bass. Either way - you will be surprised at the difference of the sound. |
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Post by Darksky on Aug 12, 2013 0:20:53 GMT -5
Changing out a tweeter is a ridiculously simple procedure as well. The new one comes with a little plastic tool that fits into two splines on the outside of the tweeter body, you just turn it counter clockwise a quarter turn or so and it comes loose.
You have to remove the 6.5 mid from below the tweeter in order to reach the connection for the tweeter. It is just a simple push on connection. Disconnect it pull the tweeter out from the top. Feed the wires from the new tweeter down (it comes with the connection pre- installed). Push it on until it sets. Use the plastic tool to twist and set the new tweeter. Then reinstall the 6.5 mid, and you're done.
Easy as pie.
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jerky
Minor Hero
Posts: 35
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Post by jerky on Aug 12, 2013 10:25:27 GMT -5
Reboot that room,,Speaker sitting in a doorway?? It may mean starting over. But turn that whole thing around. Use a small deep desk and a nice office type reclining chair I know those speakers are a little large for nearfield. But, I would do Anything to get that speaker out of the doorway!
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Post by frosty on Aug 12, 2013 20:09:47 GMT -5
Played around with different speaker positions and this one by far sounds the best. I know it breaks all the rules, but I dont have a room to dedicate yet. It's an akward studio and fitting the couch/bed (in the one spot that it will fit) is top priority. 8 months to go...
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Post by frosty on Aug 12, 2013 20:14:15 GMT -5
You may also instead of focusing on a tube DAC - which is definitely a decent option, I heard the Jolida tube dac and it was good - focus on a tube pre-amp or a tube buffer. Tube buffer's tend to be a lot cheaper if cost is anything to be worried about. As for GAF for room treatments - carpets, even area rugs on the floor are actually decently high on GAF. The room treatments do not have to look like styrofoam at all. They have room panels that look like paintings. Or at least colorful fabric. So at the entry level for girlfriend acceptance in decorative panels we have: www.atsacoustics.com/panelsTHe red fabric especially can look quite nice depending on your paint scheme. If you want more than plain colors you could go for these www.atsacoustics.com/art-acoustic-panels.htmlYou do want bass traps for sure also in different colors: www.atsacoustics.com/bass-trap-d.htmlAnd honestly there's a lot of suggestions for room panels and I myself know very little about. So starting a thread about room treatments will bring you better options. Thickness, size and placement do matter for room panels. If I'm not incorrect, the ticker the better it does for bass. Either way - you will be surprised at the difference of the sound. Tube buffer would be good . I can get something in the $150-200 range and stay within budget. Headphone amp/tube buffer combo perhaps was my initial thought. Room treatment is an interesting thought, I'll probably get boo'd off the boards because of my current speaker placement though. The stuff you showed would probably find acceptance with the GF, especially since I pay the rent. |
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Post by frosty on Aug 12, 2013 20:23:51 GMT -5
Changing out a tweeter is a ridiculously simple procedure as well. The new one comes with a little plastic tool that fits into two splines on the outside of the tweeter body, you just turn it counter clockwise a quarter turn or so and it comes loose. You have to remove the 6.5 mid from below the tweeter in order to reach the connection for the tweeter. It is just a simple push on connection. Disconnect it pull the tweeter out from the top. Feed the wires from the new tweeter down (it comes with the connection pre- installed). Push it on until it sets. Use the plastic tool to twist and set the new tweeter. Then reinstall the 6.5 mid, and you're done. Easy as pie. I was hoping it would be straight forward like that. Still a little spooked about taking apart a $1500+ pair of speakers, but looking forward to it at the same time. Kept the grills on for a month after I did it before the SQ loss pissed me off more then the damage. Wonder if there are upgrades available. Some Beryllium perhaps? |
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Post by paintedklown on Aug 12, 2013 20:39:18 GMT -5
Frosty, don't worry about getting "boo'd off the boards" because of your speaker placement. We all have different rooms to work with, so we understand that you have to do what you have to do.  Heck, the room I am working with right now is EXTREMELY small, so I get it. Way too small for my HT setup, and (in all honesty) even way too small for the 2 ch setup I am running at the moment. Life is full of compromises with audio gear my friend. Perhaps try strategically placing some panels up where you can, and see if you can live with your system like that. Are you aware of how to find the first reflection points using a friend and a handheld mirror? If so, that will give you a GREAT starting point for your first room panels. Good luck! |
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Post by Darksky on Aug 12, 2013 20:39:50 GMT -5
Don't swear the disassembly. I have gotten parts from Francois @ Audio Plus Services. They have treated me wonderfully.
You can't upgrade the tweets to beryllium in this series. Sadly.
I would like to go up to the 1038Be...
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Post by Darksky on Aug 12, 2013 20:44:59 GMT -5
Are you aware of how to find YOUR first reflection points using a friend and a handheld mirror? If so, that will give you a GREAT starting point for your first room panels. Good luck! I've done this, but she added some clothesline rope and a fly swatter. |
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Post by paintedklown on Aug 12, 2013 20:49:52 GMT -5
Are you aware of how to find YOUR first reflection points using a friend and a handheld mirror? If so, that will give you a GREAT starting point for your first room panels. Good luck! I've done this, but she added some clothesline rope and a fly swatter. I'm confused by this statement. Sorry...  |
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Post by frosty on Aug 13, 2013 10:19:52 GMT -5
Don't swear the disassembly. I have gotten parts from Francois @ Audio Plus Services. They have treated me wonderfully. You can't upgrade the tweets to beryllium in this series. Sadly. I would like to go up to the 1038Be... That would be great. 1027's are going for cost right now. Feel like I'd need to spend some time with a speaker that costs that much before committing. Need to see the differences between 37 and 38 as well. The cheaper one could be a real bargain. |
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Post by musical1 on Nov 12, 2013 22:28:27 GMT -5
I ordered a mini XA 100 a month ago during the special promotion. Out of the box, it sounds very, very nice! I am very satisfied with the unit and I have been able to enjoy 2 channel audio, after a very long hiatus and subsequent move from Charlotte, NC (5 bd room home, with media room) to more modest surroundings ("home" mom's place) For the $$$ this amp is outrageously good! I've had high priced spread, tubes and solid state high end stuff. With this amp, I've decided to go the exact opposite tact, and go "budget." To that end, I am hoping that emotiva will issue forth with a cd player, w/ the same foot print as the mini X. I asked at the RMAF 2012, if they were looking at that option. [here's to hoping] Looking at adding Pioneer FS-52 floorstanders, ($250 pr) Project Debut carbon fibre table/arm ($499)... (unless, I find a cost effective arm for my Kenwood KD-500 table - air bearing, MG-1??? ($600+) At any rate, I am looking at tweaking the amp. 1.) Upgrade the power cord and 2.) Try the ultimate fuses  Anyone tried these or can recommend an upgraded power cord that will fit the recepticle on the amp? Thanks, Musical 1 |
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Post by jmasterj on Nov 13, 2013 0:51:31 GMT -5
musical1,
I'm just going to throw this out there. I'm not trying to offend anyone just offering some food for thought. I have had countless pieces of audio/video equipment, some were pretty expensive. One thing that I've noticed is no matter what price point of the items they all seem to come with the same power cords. I can't speak on extremely high end equipment. But Emotiva high end amps come with the standard power cord. I currently have a Hybrid tube integrated amp, and a all tube integrated amp, and just purchased a Emotiva XPA-100 solid state amp all with regular power cords.
Note: If you purchase XPR- Reference Level Amps Emotiva suggest they be connected to a dedicated 20 amp circuit. They go on to acknowledge that if you don't have the proper circuit and outlet that you have one installed. That's because these are high current amps. They still come with the same power cord. You as a consumer should expect the amps to preform to the stated specifications with the cord provided.
Emotiva offers a power cord in accessories for $37.99 it's only a 15 amp commercial grade cord that will offer protection from external EMI/RFI interference. They don't even sale a 20 amp version. It just stands to reason that if they believed it to be a necessary upgrade for sonic improvement they would supply one, or suggest you get one for these amps. That's not to say that a upgraded power cord won't improve the sound of the amp. The same thing for the ultimate fuses. It's your money.
You already stated your decision to go "budget" which is reflected in your choice of equipment. I don't believe that you will see any significant improvement to your sound tweaking the amp. Not trying to burst your bubble I don't think Emotiva will develop a CD player the same foot print as the mini X either. You asked for opinions that's mine.
There is a silver lining though. The ERC-3 are on the way so you might be able to pick up a ERC-1, or ERC-2 for sale for a reasonable price here on the forum shortly. You would probably be better served if you put your money towards the purchase of one of those. j
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Post by Dark Ranger on Nov 13, 2013 0:58:38 GMT -5
Not trying to burst your bubble I don't think Emotiva will develop a CD player the same foot print as the mini X either. Lonnie had this to say about a "mini-X form-factor" CD player in The Exec System thread earlier this year: A CD is definitely on the list I just haven't haven't finished the prototype yet. Granted, this was back in January. Lots of things can change. I'm just saying that it might still be in the cards. |
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Post by jmasterj on Nov 13, 2013 1:24:40 GMT -5
Thanks for the info.
I think those are really cool. I'd like something like that for the bedroom.
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Post by musical1 on Nov 14, 2013 5:54:28 GMT -5
Jmasterj,
Appreciate your reply ... ahem! As you, I've had alot of gear over the years. I have found when I wanted to tweak or upgrade something, I generally had the positive experience of hearing a sonic difference in the positive, justifying the added expense of the upgrade. It is just the nature of the game to some extent to try and see if, in the instance of trying the ultimate fuse bit, if there will be sonic gains. It is something to do, to perhaps enhance the playback experience. Due to emotiva not making an upgraded power cord, doesn't nullify the possibility that sonic gains can be had. My belief and experience leads me to believe, if such a power cord exists, it will very well do something positive. Just my experience/opinion.
For the purpose of aesthetics and [minor] space concerns and my predilection of liking small [footprint, ergo, mini] audio components (had the 47labs gear years ago) the desire for a matching footprint cd player is an option I'd like to look into, if available. Buying the older cd players is/was an option,I considered, but based on the question I posed to one of the principals at the 2012 show/booth, and that time has passed, my thinking is perhaps the option of a smaller emotiva 'mini X' cd player would have come to fruition by now. It appears that by the response of others, that it may be in the pipeline ... so optimistically, I shall wait and see. My choosing to go budget is MAINLY predicated on the fact that the gear sounds really, really nice and musical, that in my view it is in a "hair's breath" of alot of more dollar intensive gear out there I've heard. Been down the high end gear rabbit hole ... my exploring the opposite tact, and in my view, getting 90% of the sonics, I find a philosophically enriching experieince, so why not as an 'exercise' pursue it!? I see the acquistion of my so called dream system a far ways off and not really in my "cross hairs," due to the current results and listening enjoyment I'm getting. I was hoping that perhaps, someone who has gone down that pathway of tweaking exploration, may have had the experience of tweaking the amp ... not that it REALLY ... needs it. Just audio'foolery' at work :-)
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Post by jmasterj on Nov 14, 2013 8:44:52 GMT -5
I think you misunderstood me Emotiva does make/sale an upgraded power cord. It can be found in the products page under E-CONNECTS. It sales for $37.99 Since you have had positive experiences with tweaking amps in the past this might work for you. As for the fuses I've often wondered about them. I don't know anyone who has tried them. So when you finish tweaking the amp I hope you will tell us about how well your "audio foolery" worked.
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Post by musical1 on Nov 17, 2013 22:00:06 GMT -5
jmas,
No; I didn't misunderstand. I'm very much aware of the power cord. The problem is that it doesn't look to fit the receptical for the mini X amp. $37.99 is a steal in comparison to every other product on the market, but if it doesn't fit!? ... My reason for asking was IF, anyone had tried substituting the pwr. cord, specifically with the mini X. AS far as the fuse situation, my curiousity was piqued. I've read reviews, spoken to the folks who sell the fuses, so again, I asked, if anyone had the notion of trying it? Perhaps the readership of the emotiva proboards, aren't into modifications, as such. That is cool, if they are not. I happen to be! ... After I finish with my "audio phoolery" perhaps, I may write about my experience. It might very well fall on "deaf ears" and not make much difference one way or the other, whatever the outcome. IMHO, I think such substitutions (tweaks??) beyond the stock parts is a reasonable upgrade path to pursue. Just sayin' ... Peas!
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Post by d1sturb3d on Nov 18, 2013 6:33:06 GMT -5
^ I have a diy'd power cord on the mini-x using furukawa cable
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Post by jmasterj on Nov 18, 2013 8:48:53 GMT -5
musical1,
Keep us posted. I'm personally particularly interested in your opinion about the ultimate fuses. If you do actually get some.
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