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Post by subdusted on Sept 24, 2013 16:37:11 GMT -5
Any time you deviate from the normal mass production, the cost is going to increase. It isn't necessarily the parts, but the labor required to customize those amps or components.. I just don't see what kind of customizing you have in mind... replacing one XLR input with the other...what's there to customize? |
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Post by subdusted on Sept 24, 2013 16:40:21 GMT -5
They do. But when you replace caps you are seriously messing with the sound... when you just upgrade connectors , you are simply removing bottlenecks and allowing the amp play the way it can.
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Post by jlafrenz on Sept 24, 2013 16:43:47 GMT -5
Any time you deviate from the normal mass production, the cost is going to increase. It isn't necessarily the parts, but the labor required to customize those amps or components.. I just don't see what kind of customizing you have in mind... replacing one XLR input with the other...what's there to customize? What I mean by this is if the mass produced units use XLR connector "Y" and a customer wants the upgraded version "Z", someone has to make that change. It likely won't happen on the manufacturing line as these products are not made to order. It would have to be done after the fact. I am using the term customize loosely. |
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Post by subdusted on Sept 24, 2013 17:49:46 GMT -5
Why not make a limited batch with "Z" at the factory? How hard can it be to put a couple of Z-boxes on the line? I realize, it's a little more complicated than that ))... but still...it can easily be done with no hassle.
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Post by dally on Sept 24, 2013 19:01:18 GMT -5
They do. But when you replace caps you are seriously messing with the sound... when you just upgrade connectors , you are simply removing bottlenecks and allowing the amp play the way it can. I'm not sure what you mean by this. Are you saying that the XLR connectors and IEC connection are having a negative effect on the amps sound? To me this would add percieved quality to the amp, but I wouldn't think there would be much of a sonic benefit to be gained here. |
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klinemj
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Post by klinemj on Sept 24, 2013 19:38:08 GMT -5
Agree w dally.
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Post by Dark Ranger on Sept 24, 2013 20:16:50 GMT -5
...when you just upgrade connectors , you are simply removing bottlenecks and allowing the amp play the way it can. I have to call hogwash on this one. Upgraded connectors are great for making a stronger or more secure connection. They are also less prone to wear and tear. I much prefer the Tiffany-style RCA connectors and high-quality binding posts on some of my Emotiva amps (e.g. XPA-1L) compared to the cheaper, more flimsy RCA connectors and plastic-capped binding posts on some of my other amps (e.g. UPA-500). However, the idea that better RCA or XLR connectors audibly improve the sonic performance of the amplifier is ridiculous. |
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Post by subdusted on Sept 25, 2013 9:51:56 GMT -5
I love it when people make such statements...They know something for a fact, although they have never tried it. My opinion is based on personal experience, what's yours based on?
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DYohn
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Post by DYohn on Sept 25, 2013 10:04:04 GMT -5
Mine is based on more than 30 years of experience both as an equipment designer and as a laboratory test technician for a major testing facility. The type of connector does not affect the sound unless it is a bad connector and then it affects it negatively. High-end connectors and wires are great for aesthetics but meaningless to the signal. As long as the connection is made, that is all one needs. The rest is audiophile tomfoolery and placebo effect.
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Post by subdusted on Sept 25, 2013 10:09:21 GMT -5
The more transparent the system is the more noticeable are the changes, even very subtle ones. I know a guy with a stunning setup and incredibly sharp hearing. One day he dazzled me when he could tell the difference btw rhodium and gold plated connectors on power cables I brought. I switched these cables back and forth a few times and he was never wrong - he always preferred Rhodium ones. The same exact cable, just different connectors. That was something I witnessed myself.
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Post by subdusted on Sept 25, 2013 10:36:47 GMT -5
Mine is based on more than 30 years of experience both as an equipment designer and as a laboratory test technician for a major testing facility. So...in your equipmet evaluation you rely only on specs and test results, right? Well, then.. Let's compare two sets of monoblocks : Emotiva XPA-100 and Bob Carver Cherry 180. Emotiva has more power and less distortion...so it sounds better, right? I mean, it absolutely has to, judging by these specs. |
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Post by Bonzo on Sept 25, 2013 10:41:38 GMT -5
Oh crap,yet another wire and connector discussion / argument. Nice.  Folks, can we drop that discussion now and get back to the purpose of this thread? Thanks.  |
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DYohn
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Post by DYohn on Sept 25, 2013 10:46:21 GMT -5
Mine is based on more than 30 years of experience both as an equipment designer and as a laboratory test technician for a major testing facility. So...in your equipmet evaluation you rely only on specs and test results, right? Well, then.. Let's compare two sets of monoblocks : Emotiva XPA-100 and Bob Carver Cherry 180. Emotiva has more power and less distortion...so it sounds better, right? I mean, it absolutely has to, judging by these specs. They are completely different amplifier topologies so they will likely sound different. Any fool knows that the specs just create the baseline to ensure the amplifier meets acceptable performance criteria, and that tubes sound different from solid state. |
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Post by drtrey3 on Sept 25, 2013 13:31:40 GMT -5
I ignored half the question in my answer, and would like to say what I like about Emotiva gear. The value, the aesthetics, I love the blue! The sound is great to my ears as well. I love this community, and I love Emofest. It is great fun supporting and feeling a part of a company near my house. I love driving down and picking up gear and paying with case. I like that the grey dog does not bark at me as much as he used to. I like hanging here with you guys. What I love best is how much better my music and video has sounded and even looked with each upgrade. I like that it works and I enjoy my tunes more.
Trey
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Post by Gary Cook on Sept 30, 2013 21:59:44 GMT -5
Let's compare two sets of monoblocks : Emotiva XPA-100 and Bob Carver Cherry 180. Emotiva has more power and less distortion...so it sounds better, right? I mean, it absolutely has to, judging by these specs. Damn right, the Bob Carver Cherry 180 sounds terrible..............to my ears. Yep, I simply hate the "tube" sound. Cheers Gary |
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Post by Gary Cook on Sept 30, 2013 22:23:53 GMT -5
The more transparent the system is the more noticeable are the changes, even very subtle ones. I know a guy with a stunning setup and incredibly sharp hearing. One day he dazzled me when he could tell the difference btw rhodium and gold plated connectors on power cables I brought. I switched these cables back and forth a few times and he was never wrong - he always preferred Rhodium ones. The same exact cable, just different connectors. That was something I witnessed myself. Perhaps he sucked you in, one of the cables could have had a high resistance joint, easy for him to pick because he knew exactly what he was listening for. It's an old HiFi retailer trick when trying to upsell a sucker to a "better" (ie; more profit for him) cable, simply do the listening comparison to a damaged one. Cheers Gary |
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