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Post by brubacca on Dec 9, 2020 19:04:37 GMT -5
Boomzilla,
Do you still have the Black Ice DAC? How did/do you like it? You bought it right?
*** read your review***
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Post by Boomzilla on Dec 9, 2020 19:59:13 GMT -5
I bought the Black Ice DAC, loaned it to a friend, he liked it so much he kept it, I got paid back. Haven't decided what to try next.
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Post by brubacca on Dec 10, 2020 7:58:53 GMT -5
How about a MHTD Dac (any of them) or a Border Patrol DAC?
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Post by Boomzilla on Dec 10, 2020 11:29:13 GMT -5
How about a MHTD Dac (any of them) or a Border Patrol DAC? Thanks, brubacca - Not familiar with either, but I'll check them out. |
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Post by brubacca on Dec 10, 2020 13:48:18 GMT -5
Both use a tube. The MHTD Dacs use a tube buffer output, while the Border Patrol uses a tube in the power supply. I don't use either DAC, but they seem interesting to me.
I'm getting in the new Ifi Neo for a quick user review on another site. Its on tour and I only have 7 days with it, but I'll let you know how it sounds.
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Post by Boomzilla on Dec 10, 2020 16:27:36 GMT -5
Thanks kindly, brubacca - let me know, please. Boom |
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Post by Boomzilla on Dec 13, 2020 12:51:42 GMT -5
Plugging the TA-100 back into the system last night, I noticed it took a LONG time to fully warm up & sound good. Like almost an HOUR. Maybe it's because the amp generates so little heat that it takes a while to get to a stable operating temperature? But once "on song," the thing sounded very transparent and really good. No, it didn't go as low in the bass (or have the control) compared to the Black Ice Fusion F11 tube amp, nor did it have the midrange detail of the Emotiva PA-1 amplifiers, but shoot - for its price, it was amazing!
And that was while driving the revealing and open-sounding Tekton Double Impact speakers...
Will I keep the TA-100 in the system forever? No, it isn't THAT good; it is still bested by my Heathkit tube amplifiers being driven by a preamplifier or DAC. But I've heard nothing else so far in the price range of the TA-100 that I like better.
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Post by Deleted on Dec 13, 2020 16:47:02 GMT -5
No, it didn't go as low in the bass (or have the control) compared to the Black Ice Fusion F11 tube amp, nor did it have the midrange detail of the Emotiva PA-1 amplifiers, but shoot - for its price, it was amazing! Hope you don't mind my humor by saying brother..... I once watched a group of people run the 50 meter race in under an hour......... For people w/ no sense of direction they were amazing! |
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Post by Boomzilla on Dec 14, 2020 22:33:31 GMT -5
In praise of less than ideal audio amplifiers...
Most of the time, I have the blessing of world-class audio amplification (that I didn't even have to pay for). I can compare and contrast the amps on hand until I find one that perfectly compliments the speakers of the moment. But occasionally, I'll run across a spell where all the super amps have gone home to roost, and I'm in need of my "audio Swiss-Army knife," the Emotiva TA-100. The little amp that could is a brave performer, but it doesn't image quite as widely or deeply as many of the uber-mench amplifiers. One would think that this would be a let-down, but I actually find it an opportunity. How so? It provides me with the occasion to fine-tune my speaker positioning. With the mighty Black Ice Fusion F11, for example, the sound was scarily holographic no matter where the speakers were. But with the TA-100, I have to spend more time "speaker dancing" to get the same effect. Once I've optimized the speaker placements with the TA-100, then I know I won't need to move the speakers again when trying more expensive amps.
And optimized speaker placements I have. The speakers are located almost exactly at the ⅓ and ⅔ locations of my longer wall, about 1 foot from the wall behind them, and toed in toward locations about 3 feet to the right & left outside the listener. With these positionings, I get a deep and wide image with discreet instrument and vocal placements. Images extend not only between the speakers, but significantly outside the speaker positions as well. The diffuser panels to the inside of the speakers make a huge difference also.
So thanks to the Emotiva TA-100 for the speaker positioning lesson!
Boomzilla
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Post by Deleted on Dec 14, 2020 22:52:30 GMT -5
In praise of less than ideal audio amplifiers... Most of the time, I have the blessing of world-class audio amplification (that I didn't even have to pay for). I can compare and contrast the amps on hand until I find one that perfectly compliments the speakers of the moment. But occasionally, I'll run across a spell where all the super amps have gone home to roost, and I'm in need of my "audio Swiss-Army knife," the Emotiva TA-100. The little amp that could is a brave performer, but it doesn't image quite as widely or deeply as many of the uber-mench amplifiers. One would think that this would be a let-down, but I actually find it an opportunity. How so? It provides me with the occasion to fine-tune my speaker positioning. With the mighty Black Ice Fusion F11, for example, the sound was scarily holographic no matter where the speakers were. But with the TA-100, I have to spend more time "speaker dancing" to get the same effect. Once I've optimized the speaker placements with the TA-100, then I know I won't need to move the speakers again when trying more expensive amps. And optimized speaker placements I have. The speakers are located almost exactly at the ⅓ and ⅔ locations of my longer wall, about 1 foot from the wall behind them, and toed in toward locations about 3 feet to the right & left outside the listener. With these positionings, I get a deep and wide image with discreet instrument and vocal placements. Images extend not only between the speakers, but significantly outside the speaker positions as well. The diffuser panels to the inside of the speakers make a huge difference also. So thanks to the Emotiva TA-100 for the speaker positioning lesson! Boomzilla Awesome, I never heard anyone describe their ideal toe-in speaker alignment as such before. I have a 3 person couch at the MLP and my Ulfs are toed in from an in between distance of 9 feet pointing/aligned to the outer seating positions or more precise to the outside shoulders of the end seating positions. That means dead center seating position has the toe...... as I just measured 3 feet to the right and left outside of the center position. That toe was done by ear in order to come up with the best compromise for 3 people seated on the couch while utilizing a center channel. Thanks for sharing that, Boom! |
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Post by adaboy on Dec 14, 2020 23:26:43 GMT -5
In praise of less than ideal audio amplifiers... Most of the time, I have the blessing of world-class audio amplification (that I didn't even have to pay for). I can compare and contrast the amps on hand until I find one that perfectly compliments the speakers of the moment. But occasionally, I'll run across a spell where all the super amps have gone home to roost, and I'm in need of my "audio Swiss-Army knife," the Emotiva TA-100. The little amp that could is a brave performer, but it doesn't image quite as widely or deeply as many of the uber-mench amplifiers. One would think that this would be a let-down, but I actually find it an opportunity. How so? It provides me with the occasion to fine-tune my speaker positioning. With the mighty Black Ice Fusion F11, for example, the sound was scarily holographic no matter where the speakers were. But with the TA-100, I have to spend more time "speaker dancing" to get the same effect. Once I've optimized the speaker placements with the TA-100, then I know I won't need to move the speakers again when trying more expensive amps. And optimized speaker placements I have. The speakers are located almost exactly at the ⅓ and ⅔ locations of my longer wall, about 1 foot from the wall behind them, and toed in toward locations about 3 feet to the right & left outside the listener. With these positionings, I get a deep and wide image with discreet instrument and vocal placements. Images extend not only between the speakers, but significantly outside the speaker positions as well. The diffuser panels to the inside of the speakers make a huge difference also. So thanks to the Emotiva TA-100 for the speaker positioning lesson! Boomzilla I'm getting a little giddy here Boom! So does this mean the DI's are a keeper? 🙈🙉🙊 |
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Post by Boomzilla on Dec 15, 2020 3:26:07 GMT -5
I'm getting a little giddy here Boom! So does this mean the DI's are a keeper? 🙈🙉🙊 That's certainly the initial impression... |
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Post by Boomzilla on Dec 15, 2020 7:48:22 GMT -5
Awesome, I never heard anyone describe their ideal toe-in speaker alignment as such before. I have a 3 person couch at the MLP and my Ulfs are toed in from an in between distance of 9 feet pointing/aligned to the outer seating positions or more precise to the outside shoulders of the end seating positions. That means dead center seating position has the toe...... as I just measured 3 feet to the right and left outside of the center position. That toe was done by ear in order to come up with the best compromise for 3 people seated on the couch while utilizing a center channel. Thanks for sharing that, Boom! Speaker positions aren't universal. They depend on a diverse group of things including: The directivity of the speakers The dimensions of the room The distances from the back and side walls The distance to the listener The incidence of furniture locations, particularly between the speakers and listener And I have an audio amigo who claims that barometric pressure and time of day (incidence of noise on the power grid) matter too Many years ago, when I worked shift work at the plant, I sometimes stayed up most of the evening before I was to work a set of night shifts listening to the stereo. And I did find that transparency increased after about 10pm... I also probably developed part of my preference for low-volume listening in those years so I wouldn't wake my wife and baby who were sleeping in the far end of the house. Boom |
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Post by indy on Dec 15, 2020 12:26:59 GMT -5
So when will we have a write up about the double impacts compared to other speakers you have heard or owned?
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Post by brubacca on Dec 15, 2020 12:51:13 GMT -5
So when will we have a write up about the double impacts compared to other speakers you have heard or owned? This month. You are welcome Boom. Just made this easier for you  |
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Post by Boomzilla on Dec 15, 2020 14:42:22 GMT -5
May be a few months. I need to write the review. Eric Alexander has to fact-check the review. Then Secrets has to publish it (and there's a line of reviews already waiting).
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Post by Boomzilla on Dec 16, 2020 16:37:47 GMT -5
CONTENDERS:
Decware Zen SET - 2.5 WPC / $1,000
Black Ice Audio F22 - 35 WPC / $1,700
McIntosh MA-252 - 200 WPC / $3,500
SPEAKERS - Tekton Double Impact / 98W / 1w / 1m / 4-Ohms
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Post by foggy1956 on Dec 16, 2020 18:06:56 GMT -5
CONTENDERS: Decware Zen SET - 2.5 WPC / $1,000 Black Ice Audio F22 - 35 WPC / $1,700 McIntosh MA-252 - 200 WPC / $3,500 SPEAKERS - Tekton Double Impact / 98W / 1w / 1m / 4-Ohms Contenders for? |
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Post by brubacca on Dec 16, 2020 18:38:12 GMT -5
Boom,
I have a friend who just ordered a Decware Se34i. Rachel. 20 week wait.
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Post by Boomzilla on Dec 17, 2020 2:37:13 GMT -5
Potential mates for the Tekton Double Impact speakers. The solid-state amps I have here just don't light up these speakers, to my ears, as tubes do. YMMV Yet there might be other gear that could change my mind... The Audio-gd HE-1 Vacuum XLR preamplifier (currently out on loan) might give the sweetness that I'm seeking with my current amps. Alternately, the Heathkit tube mono blocks (also out on loan) might be the ticket. |
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