All work and no play... [Archive]

BlueMDPicker

08-02-2006, 01:13 AM

...well, you know the rest of that old axiom.

So, to reward myself for working far too much lately I decided to put together a completely different 2-CH listening experiment. I picked these (Revel Ultima Gems) up today, together with the matching passive sub and external amp/crossover network (Sub-15/LE-1.) They'll be driven by a PS Audio GCA-250 which should deliver around 375 wpc into their 6 ohm nominal load. Dodd MLP ahead of that, and most likely my venerable EE tube output CDP for a source. Should be fun!

Joey_V

08-02-2006, 02:16 AM

Holy geez.... how did I miss those when I was searching for ultimate bookshelves a few months ago?

Wow... you have me impressed.... now I want naked pics! This isnt a kid's site you know!

How much were those and how do they sound?

dragon1952

08-02-2006, 04:24 AM

Yikes! Happy Birthday to YOU. ;)

Zero

08-02-2006, 07:22 AM

Cool toys.

Schris22

08-02-2006, 08:56 AM

jeez, I've always wanted to hear those but been to a few shops and no one carries it around here. Haven't really gone out of my way because those are way out of my budget! =P

Enjoy

Chris

tonyb

08-02-2006, 09:30 AM

Very nice!! Have heard they had problems with that LE-1 though.
Congrats!:)

reeltrouble1

08-02-2006, 10:56 AM

Cool Beans Mike, I agree with the passive sub idea as a great way to get natural sounding bass.

I heard Revel at my local shop hooked to some anthem gear with a Denon player, only got a few minutes on them but they were not slouches by any means, enjoy and HBD again.

RT1

halo

08-02-2006, 05:01 PM

Yikes! Happy Birthday to YOU. ;)At least you got what you wanted ;) :D :D :D

madmax

08-02-2006, 07:34 PM

I expect a full report on my desk... :)

madmax

BlueMDPicker

08-02-2006, 08:27 PM

Well, the full report won't be completed until sometime in late August. A friend is delivering the Revel gear from MA on the 22nd and the amp is on its way from a dealer in TX. I, meanwhile, am flying all over the country between now and then.

The LE-1 has been factory modded with internal power conditioning (an $1100 option), to correct the only issue with them I've seen documented--very low level hum. It, the Sub-15 and the Gems are authorized dealer floor demos with factory warranty remaining.

The 1998 Stereophile review, by John Atkinson, of the Revel Ultima Gem and Sub-15/LE1 (http://www.stereophile.com/loudspeakerreviews/89/) is very thorough and interesting.

At that time, the Gems with high-gloss paint and aluminum panels: $8000/pair. Gem pedestals: $2200/pair with aluminum bases. Ultima Sub-15, high-gloss with aluminum panels: $4500. Ultima LE-1: $6000 (without the power conditioning upgrade.) :eek: I got into this gear very "right", so if my listening experiment is a bust I can move it all with no worries.

madmax

08-02-2006, 08:44 PM

All that just to try and equal the SDA's? :D

Sounds like a cool system! What made you want to try those particular speakers?
madmax

BlueMDPicker

08-02-2006, 11:32 PM

All that just to try and equal the SDA's? :D

Sounds like a cool system! What made you want to try those particular speakers?
madmax
The SDA SRS are pretty secure at the moment in the analog sources rig.

I've had such a good experience with the Teac amp I got from you driving the Cain & Cain Abbeys (with rear-firing super tweeter), sans preamp, with the Shanling CDT-100. I expressed an interest to my friend in MA in taking that amp technology "up a notch" with the GCA line from PS Audio and mating with something as open, rich in mids, and detailed as the Abbeys, but capable of handling more power. During our brainstorming sessions, I mentioned how much I liked my RTA-12C setup with a sub (PSW-650). One thing led to another, he got a line on the Revel gear, and it was a deal I couldn't walk away from.

You and the other golden ear with the "mahageny" pipe will have to give me an assessment once it's all together. ;)

madmax

08-03-2006, 06:11 PM

I only wish I had a mahagoney pipe... :D
madmax

steveinaz

08-03-2006, 06:38 PM

Mike, ummm...
Where do you work, and are they hiring?

BlueMDPicker

08-03-2006, 10:43 PM

Steve,

LOL! I do okay. But, I've sold $4,000+ in gear in the last month, so this was nearly a wash.

organ

08-04-2006, 12:14 AM

Wow! Congrats Mike. That's a very unique pair of speakers. Please let us know how they sound after you spend some time with them. I'm very interested in your opinion especially after going through so many sets of speakers.

Boonaroo

08-04-2006, 04:51 PM

ND13

08-04-2006, 05:23 PM

Nothing like a $30k rig for alot less. Congrats and I'm sure it'll rock.

univera

08-04-2006, 09:26 PM

Those Gems are truly that.

The only negative thing that comes to mind about these speakers . . . Mel Gibson had a pair in his crib in "What Woman Want." Hey . . .he did get Helen Hunt in the end :p . . .think that would work for me?

HELEN HUNT?? ARE YOU SERIOUS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!TOO MUCH FOREHEAD......Seems I heard something about Mel in the news lately...

BlueMDPicker

08-04-2006, 09:42 PM

Those Gems are truly that.

The only negative thing that comes to mind about these speakers . . . Mel Gibson had a pair in his crib in "What Woman Want." Hey . . .he did get Helen Hunt in the end :p . . .think that would work for me?

OH NO! Do mean that I could become a closet bigot with alcohol induced Tourette's from this experience?? :eek:

Damn, I could have just moved to Southern Maryland and saved some cash. :p

BTW - I think Helen Hunt is hot. I enjoy women with brains, or who can at least act as if they have brains. Perhaps that's what the extra forehead is all about? :)

univera

08-04-2006, 09:56 PM

Man, you ain't even come close to the deep South (Carolina.) Ya'll are still Yankees up der. Heck, we got the NAACP compelling the NCAA to boycott any sports championships from occuring in our state over that damn flag and more money than you can throw a stick at to restore the Hunley submarine here in Charleston. Mel says he's not a bigot.....I believe aliens from outer space came down and placed those thoughts in his head!

F1nut

08-04-2006, 10:45 PM

Mike, I look forward to hearing the new set up. I'll bring an extra mahageny pipe for Chuck. ;)

Helen Hunt......yummy!!!

Univera, you've never been to Southern Maryland, have you!?!

univera

08-05-2006, 12:21 AM

Negative. Helen Hunt must visit often as she has a fan club. I hear they have fightin' turtles down there...Give me Catherine Zeta Jones....

BlueMDPicker

08-06-2006, 09:27 AM

We drug in tired, but relaxed, from vacation early yesterday evening and found the new amp had beaten us home! I wasn't expecting it until Monday, the day before I leave on a marathon business trip, so I was all smiles (and very glad our dog sitter got it inside!) So, while the rest of the family reconnected to their world, I was happily connecting it to the upstairs, 2 CH rig (EE tube CDP and Dodd MLP doing front end honors.) It's a beauty, cosmetically and sonically.

After reading several reviews and PS Audio's own literature, I expected to be unimpressed with it before a couple hundred hours of burn-in. Another pleasant surprise--right out of the box this baby came to play.

The first thing that grabs you is its ability to control the transducers effortlessly with an authoritative, live presence. From very modest volume through insane levels it anchors the imaging in a realistic soundstage with no hint of LF bloom, mid to HF smear, or harshness at the highest registers. I'm running it speaker level through a PSW-650 and on to the RTA-12Cs for now and it's steller, top to bottom.

I only had a chance to run through a couple of very well produced albums I consider my references last night: John Tropea "A Short Trip to Space", John Mayall and the Bluesbreakers "70th Birthday Concert", and Albert Collins "Ice Pickin'". In each case, I was THERE. On tap for today are the David Manley single mic sessions produced on the VTL label--and, I can't wait. For me, not unlike a great live performance, a great listening session grabs me, draws me in, stimulates me in a relaxing manner, and leaves me wanting it to never end. This amp holds the promise of many such sessions.

More later, when the Gems and Sub-15/LE-1 enter the mix.

madmax

08-06-2006, 09:54 PM

I'll bet there is more to come as she breaks in.
madmax

BlueMDPicker

08-06-2006, 10:49 PM

I just drove it to clipping with Tinsley Ellis' "Devil For a Dime" :o
I'm confident the neighbors must be as big a fan as I. Had to go to 3 o'clock on the Dodd to do it. It never broke-up or got pushed out of shape in the sound stage, just tripped the protection circuit. Came right back up with a power off/on cycle. These RTA-12Cs can handle some clean power nicely.

speakergeek

08-06-2006, 11:01 PM

Bet they sound great! You have some nice stuff there.

Loud & Clear

08-06-2006, 11:29 PM

3:00????

schwarcw

08-06-2006, 11:38 PM

BlueMDPicker

08-07-2006, 12:14 AM

3:00????
Yeah, you know, like 11 on a guitar amp. Right before you disappear in a poof of green smoke.

marker

08-08-2006, 09:02 PM

Congrats! I have a pair of Concerta M12s that are my favorite pair of bookshelves that I have right now.

Edit - make that favorite passive bookshelf.

BlueMDPicker

08-21-2006, 08:35 AM

I'll bet there is more to come as she breaks in.
madmax
The GCA-250 now has 350+ hours of burn-in (I left it running with Sirius radio as a source for the duration of my marathon business trip). It continues to impress me across the board. The mid range seems to have benefited from the burn-in time with an improvement in natural tonal quality.

The Gems and Sub-15 enter the fray tomorrow.

reeltrouble1

08-21-2006, 02:31 PM

sweeet, glad to hear you are getting to the magic, we dont talk much about Revel but its always been on my "list" since getting a local demo.

RT1

BlueMDPicker

08-23-2006, 07:03 PM

The Gems, Sub-15 and LE-1 are, at long last, in place!

This is the nicest gear I've had my hands (and ears) on so far. Fit, finish and materials are what one would expect in this price point. While assembling the stands, bases, and side panels to the cabinets I was "back in the day" when street rod building was passion one. I've worked behind some true master machinists who one-offed parts I designed. This was the same experience.

Setup of the Sub-15/LE-1 was a snap with Revel's excellently formatted manuals. The last nail biting came as I powered everything up, fingers crossed that the new gear would synergize with the new GCA-250, Dodd MLP, and EE Minimax CDP. Ahh, no worries.... audio magic was in the air instantly.

The sound is simply natural and immediately engaging. After working through the first few cuts of John Tropea's "Short Trip to Space", I tweaked the front and rear tweeters to -1/+4 respectively and dialed the sub output into -25. Done! The sub, with right hand corner placement, puts the LF perfectly into the soundstage without a hint of its point source.

On the subject of a sub with 2-channel music, I must admit I was rather solidly in the "there's no place for one" camp for years. My experiences with a Polk Audio PSW-650, Dynaco ST-70, and Polk Audio RTA-12Cs permanently changed all that. The PSW-650 is a very musical sub. The Sub-15 solidifies the backbone of the music. I now tell those who still hold my former views that if a sub doesn't belong in music reproduction, then a bass doesn't belong in a trio or quintet.

Well, I'm a happy camper. Back to the music!

F1nut

08-23-2006, 11:31 PM

Can't wait to get my ears on this set up.

organ

08-23-2006, 11:57 PM

Mike,
BEAUTIFUL:cool: :cool: :cool: . I bet it sounds amazing. I agree with the subwoofer comment. When everything is working in harmony, the sub completely dissappear. The 650 is indeed a very musical sub.
My 650 had a life of it's own when I connected it directly to the pre. The PRaT between the sub and mains was completely off. Then one day I decided to run a second set of wires from the amp to the sub and use this hook-up. Much, much better. The sub took on the amplifier's sound signature and everything finally sounded right.

Which sub are you using there in the corner?

BlueMDPicker

08-24-2006, 12:21 AM

Hey Jesse, the door is always open.

Thanks Maurice. The sub is the Revel Ultima Sub-15 (non-powered), driven by the pictured LE-1 amp/crossover. The signal connections go pre to LE-1, LE-1 to power amp. Output to sub from LE-1.

I just sold the PSW-650 to a guy that works for me for his HT setup. I hated to see that piece go. I may have started a 2-channel addiction with him. He sat in the sweet spot for the SDA SRS rig before he left. He'd never heard SDAs and it was a ball watching him turn his head to images in the sound staging. ;)

organ

08-24-2006, 12:41 AM

LOL. Man, did you tell him the credit card will be his new best friend?;). If only he knows what he's getting himself into lol:D.

You're really going hardcore with your rigs. Enjoy man:cool:!

ND13

08-24-2006, 09:50 AM

I may have started a 2-channel addiction with him. He sat in the sweet spot for the SDA SRS rig before he left. He'd never heard SDAs and it was a ball watching him turn his head to images in the sound staging. ;)

You're cruel.

He'll be "NEEDING" some SDAs, now. Surely in your neck of the woods, finding him a decent set of SDAs shouldn't be too hard to do.

BlueMDPicker

08-24-2006, 08:58 PM

You're really going hardcore with your rigs. Enjoy man!
Nah, just having some fun. ;) You'd really dig this new concept rig a lot I believe. This digital amp has brass balls and a voice smoother than silk. I'm listening to Al Di Meola's "Kiss My Axe" as I type (35 feet away and considerably off axis) and the presentation is stellar. The second cut on the album has HUGE percussive explosions with kettle drums, flute and metal percussion - un-effing-believable!

He'll be "NEEDING" some SDAs, now. Surely in your neck of the woods, finding him a decent set of SDAs shouldn't be too hard to do.

I have an essentially NIB pair of SDA 2As with upgraded tweeters that are his if the "buyer" on Audiogon doesn't get his butt over here this weekend to get them. Or, I may entice him into the fold with the crossover modded 2Bs eventually. He will be assimilated.

DAGLJAM6

08-24-2006, 09:53 PM

I'm listening to Al Di Meola's "Kiss My Axe" as I type (35 feet away and considerably off axis) and the presentation is stellar. The second cut on the album has HUGE percussive explosions with kettle drums, flute and metal percussion - un-effing-believable!

YEp!!! a very sweet track/disc for displaying dynamics in a given system. Nice set up Mike, btw, have you tried the turntable in this rig yet?

BlueMDPicker

08-25-2006, 02:12 AM

YEp!!! a very sweet track/disc for displaying dynamics in a given system. Nice set up Mike, btw, have you tried the turntable in this rig yet?

Thanks Dave. We have front stage seating to see Al in a small club on Sept. 30--can't wait.

The vinyl rig works so well I'm afraid to touch anything on it. So, no, I haven't done any vinyl with the new setup. This upstairs listening room has a bit too much bounce in the floor with rugrats afoot to make me very comfortable spinning vinyl. :o

Boonaroo

08-27-2006, 07:20 PM

It looks great!!!

Hellen H would be proud.

Boonaroo

BlueMDPicker

11-04-2006, 12:45 PM

My LE-1/FM2 received a cracked trace on the PCB (gee, thanks UPS) which didn't surface until a couple of weeks in operation. Although it took better than 5 weeks turn around time, I can't praise Harman International enough for the excellent after purchase support and service (they even paid shipping both ways on this 104 pound beast of an amp.) So, this week I was able to get the entire Revel/PS Audio rig back in operation. The Ultima Gems are spectacular sans sub, but with the active crossover and Sub-15 they are stellar.

The down time allowed me to secure some items I'd been wanting to add to this setup: Statement balanced IC's and Statement speaker cables. I had Statement single-ended IC's, so I was able to A/B the setup and the balanced IC's won hands down (primarily, IMO, due to the extensive wiring this particular setup requires.) I've also added a TT to the system and vinyl is to die for with this mix.

As mentioned earlier in the thread, this was a complete experiment. And, it's panned-out better than I could have hoped for. Great synergy and a liquid, seductive sound that just takes you away.

RuSsMaN

11-04-2006, 12:48 PM

What a rig. That's s$%t your flathat kind of gear.

Nice!!!

ND13

11-04-2006, 01:03 PM

Holy BeJesus!!!!

SCHAAAWIIING!!

heiney9

11-04-2006, 01:10 PM

Congrats

I had a chance to recently hear the Revel Ultima Salons run by Mark Levinson No. 436 Mono blocks at a friends house and they are stunning speakers. Revel's are on my dream list. Actually my friend said he was thinking of selling his Revels and he'd sell them to me for $6500. Not bad for a $22,000 pair of speakers. Except I don't have the $6500.

http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showpost.php?p=530730&postcount=1

H9

Joey_V

11-04-2006, 01:13 PM

Havent heard the Revels... those are on my audition list.

BlueMDPicker

11-04-2006, 01:31 PM

Actually my friend said he was thinking of selling his Revels and he'd sell them to me for $6500. Not bad for a $22,000 pair of speakers. Except I don't have the $6500.
Those are beautiful looking and sounding speakers. That's $1500 below blue book. My recommendation: buy them and turn them--even if you have to borrow the money short term.

The Ultima 2 series was released about six weeks ago, but the original Ultima Salons have a great reputation and I don't think you'll see much of a price slide.

If you're friend is serious about moving them, keep me in mind. ;)

heiney9

11-04-2006, 01:41 PM

Those are beautiful looking and sounding speakers. That's $1500 below blue book. My recommendation: buy them and turn them--even if you have to borrow the money short term.

The Ultima 2 series was released about six weeks ago, but the original Ultima Salons have a great reputation and I don't think you'll see much of a price slide.

If you're friend is serious about moving them, keep me in mind. ;)

If you read my link you know his company reps Revel. And the only reason he is thinking about moving them is to upgrade to the Ultima 2 series. What's even sicker is because the finish on his Revel's were discontinued he bought them (mind you the company he owns reps Revel) for $9000 a pair brand new. I think he was just pontificating about selling them but, with him you never know. If I hear of him wanting to sell them I'll keep you in mind. See for me I'd have to come up with the $6500 plus another 4-5 grand to get equipment that could do them justice :p .

The auditon however short just blew me away though. Very nice sounding speakers is an understatement.
H9

cfrizz

11-04-2006, 02:18 PM

Beautiful setup Mike!

BlueMDPicker

11-04-2006, 02:35 PM

Thanks Russ, Noel, Joey, H9 and Cathy. It sounds better than it looks. Wire management with this pit of pythons IC/PC setup leaves much to be desired. I can pull it off viewed from the front of the rack. But, as you can see in the extreme right-hand view, there's no way to consolidate it any better.

BTW - wire does make a difference. :p