Whaty kind of coin...

I-SIG · 03-14-2006, 01:03 AM

...would I have to drop to make a significant upgrade to my Audio Alchemy DLC. Seriously...and don't say Dodd MLP or the like 'cuase that's a LOT of coin!!! Balanced pre-outs & ins would be a plus since the Parasound 2200 apparently has a fair amount of life in it or at least that's what I've been led to believe.

Wes

Tour2ma · 03-17-2006, 01:04 AM

DLC's are sweet little pre's aren't they?

What are looking to improve upon?

I-SIG · 03-17-2006, 01:46 AM

I don't know. Just to make a change. I tried a Dared tubed-pre and wasn't impressed overall, so I'm fairly confident that at least a basic tubed-pre ain't gonna do much for me. I figured that since I had the least invested it might be the easiest to do better on. Maybe I'm wrong.

I guess I should really wait and see what happens when I add the CEC as a transport into the system before I mess with anything elsewhere.

Wes

reeltrouble1 · 03-17-2006, 09:04 AM

Conrad Johnson.

RT1

steveinaz · 03-17-2006, 12:37 PM

Unless you go used and walk into a great deal, I think it's gonna take serious dough brother, that A-Alchemy is nice, very neutral.

I asked Gary Dodd if he could build me a passive pre based on his mid-line chasis, he quoted about $800 if I remember right. I'm sure he could put some XLR's on that pup, no problem.

Send him an email..

steveinaz · 03-17-2006, 12:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by I-SIG

I don't know. Just to make a change. I tried a Dared tubed-pre and wasn't impressed overall, so I'm fairly confident that at least a basic tubed-pre ain't gonna do much for me. I figured that since I had the least invested it might be the easiest to do better on. Maybe I'm wrong.

I guess I should really wait and see what happens when I add the CEC as a transport into the system before I mess with anything elsewhere.

Wes

The transport changes are going to subtle---

reeltrouble1 · 03-17-2006, 04:00 PM

800 for a custom piece? Holy crap. OK, maybe not CJ. I don't like gear bashing but lets say in the letter D pre choices I am a fan of Dodd. Wonder if Gary will build me a transport with XLR, naw not his bag, but Wes could sell me that CEC to get some dough!!!!!!!! J/K enjoy your new stuff I am jealous!!

RT1

steveinaz · 03-17-2006, 04:41 PM

It's hard to find a CDP under a grand with XLR. As I'm sure you've found..

ohskigod · 03-17-2006, 05:16 PM

here's lou's dumb ass question of the day. what is XLR?

sorry for the hijack by the way

Tour2ma · 03-17-2006, 05:41 PM

XLR = Balanced interconnect

Ted,
"XLR transport" does not compute... you mean CDP?

audiobliss · 04-19-2006, 06:48 PM

How'd this turn out? You still searching for a preamp, I-SIG, or have you contented yourself for the moment with a new source?

W WALDECKER · 04-19-2006, 07:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by I-SIG

...would I have to drop to make a significant upgrade to my Audio Alchemy DLC. Seriously...and don't say Dodd MLP or the like 'cuase that's a LOT of coin!!! Balanced pre-outs & ins would be a plus since the Parasound 2200 apparently has a fair amount of life in it or at least that's what I've been led to believe.

Wes

Dusty Vawter of Channel Islands Audio fame used to work for Audio Alchemy so maybe you can contact him to see if there are any mods that either you or he can perform on your DLC. Channel Islands Audio is over at the Audio Circles website if you are interested.thanks....WCW III

dorokusai · 04-19-2006, 07:40 PM

I've heard good things about the CI gear.

RuSsMaN · 04-19-2006, 07:57 PM

Me too, it appeals to me visually. Clean, no nonsense.

organ · 04-19-2006, 10:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by steveinaz

It's hard to find a CDP under a grand with XLR. As I'm sure you've found..

I noticed this too. Still wondering why

audiobliss · 04-19-2006, 11:52 PM

I just checked out www.ciaudio.com. Interesting stuff. However, I didn't see any preamps by CI Audio besides the passive controller.

How is Monolithic Sound associated with CI Audio? That Monolithic PA-1 preamp looks pretty interesting. Passive up to 12 o'clock, then a Class A amp provides up to 6db gain when you need it. Are there any other preamps that are passive and active like this?

Tour2ma · 04-20-2006, 12:40 AM

Dusty did a little more than "work for" Audio Alchemy.

Seems like Stereophile had an article on/ interview with Dusty a while back. If I remember correctly (possible, not probable) I think MS is also Dusty's. He had some different designs from CI's, which are similar to AA's, that he wanted to put out there, and decided a separate company was the way to go.

His AA "experience", as in the company going belly up when it overreached it's market, his MS approach makes sense.

MS's webpage references CIA's address.

EDIT: Found this Googling Dusty's name...

Quote:

Originally Posted by Channel Islands Audio D-100 class-D monoblock power amplifier - Stereophile - Wes Phillips, August, 2005

When AA went out of business, Vawter continued to offer upgrades and power-supply mods for AA products, and branched out with Monolithic Sound's Greg Schug, with whom he still works. (Schug is Vawter's partner in CIA, while Vawter is Schug's partner in Monolithic.) Vawter wanted to try his hand at some of his own projects, however, so he started CIA...

Full article

So I was semi-close, but not spot on...

I-SIG · 04-20-2006, 01:16 AM

Michael,

Nothing happened with the pre upgrade. I'm thinking CD (maybe SACD) source for now. I think I'd probably go for the Marantz 8260 and just wait till they can figure out the macroblocking issues with plasmas on some DVD sources. The problem right now is that I handled a buddies suppressed Krinkov...wow...so much more handy than a short AR, but I digress...

I probably should contact CIA. My DLC actually has a CIA power supply, so I know I'm good on that. I think that was one of the DLC main issues was needing something better than a wall wart for juice. Who knows, in ten years a little $100 mod might really make the DLC a no-brainer lifetime keeper.

Wes

Tour2ma · 04-20-2006, 11:06 AM

DLC's came with just about every PS AA made: the One, the Three and the Four. The Three is the most sought after, and the only one AA made that you don't have to hide.

There were two PS3 models. Both had the same basic look as all of their gear, but on one model the left side of its face plate is concave, so that it mates up perfectly with the face plate of whatever AA piece it is powering.

Tour2ma · 04-21-2006, 03:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by I-SIG

I probably should contact CIA.

If you do this, please post what mod's are being offered.

BobMcG · 04-22-2006, 10:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by I-SIG

My DLC actually has a CIA power supply, so I know I'm good on that. I think that was one of the DLC main issues was needing something better than a wall wart for juice. Who knows, in ten years a little $100 mod might really make the DLC a no-brainer lifetime keeper.

Have you tried to find an AA PS-2 for your DLC? It's the same size and shape of your DLC. (Sold for around $250 if I remember right.) Is anyone parting with them??? If you could find one or the equivalent you'd be golden. I know I don't plan on parting ways with my DLC / PS-2 combination anytime soon.

Tour2ma · 04-25-2006, 03:04 AM

Bob,
I see a couple on ebay every year. Lately they've gone in the $180 to 200 area. A couple years ago two went for just over $60. They are stout, but ugly...

The pic'd DLC/ PS2/ LIS combo went for nearly $500. The LIS may be the rarest AA bird of all. I've only seen one other one listed...

The more handsome DLC/ PS3 pic'd fetched just under $300.

I-SIG · 04-25-2006, 10:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BobMcG

Have you tried to find an AA PS-2 for your DLC? It's the same size and shape of your DLC. (Sold for around $250 if I remember right.) Is anyone parting with them??? If you could find one or the equivalent you'd be golden. I know I don't plan on parting ways with my DLC / PS-2 combination anytime soon.

Nah, I figured that the CIA upgraded supply would be just as good. The CIA supply is muchmore substantial than a wall wart. It's like a squarer red brick and almost as heavy.

Wes

Tour2ma · 04-25-2006, 10:36 AM

I-SIG,
Can you post a pic?

I-SIG · 04-26-2006, 12:45 AM

Ask and ye shall receive.

Wes

organ · 04-26-2006, 10:47 PM

I used to own Audio Alchemy gear. Jitter reducers and DAC. Very good stuff. Bruce (Tour2ma) is THE man to talk to about AA. He knows everything about their pretty little black boxes.

Tour2ma · 04-27-2006, 01:10 AM

Ah shucks...

First read of AA years ago when it was blowing the minds of several Stereophile reviewers. Couldn't afford it then, but thanks to ebay...

It was high value stuff at MSRP, but at today's used prices it's just riduculously high value stuff.

I-SIG · 04-27-2006, 01:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tour2ma

Ah shucks...

First read of AA years ago when it was blowing the minds of several Stereophile reviewers. Couldn't afford it then, but thanks to ebay...

It was high value stuff at MSRP, but at today's used prices it's just riduculously high value stuff.

What kind of "Ah shucks..." is that?

I have decided I want to eventually get a DTI of the highest version to feed the Bel Canto.

Sorry my picure wasn't of the greatest quality. The power supply is iding behin a SRS with a lot of cables obviously over the top of it. I think getting the VTI rack got rid of my hum that I thught was the CATV's problem, FWIW.

Wes

organ · 04-27-2006, 01:42 AM

Wes,
The DTI worked very well in my combo. I actually used two different models, both made by AA. I guess the only way to describe it is that it "fleshed" out the music more.

If you're getting an AA DTI, look at the "pro" versions that have an option to add dither in the digital signal. People claim that it makes the sound more analog sounding.

Good luck.

Tour2ma · 04-27-2006, 01:43 AM

The modest kind... as in, "Ah shucks organ, you're embarassing me..."

Wes,
opus just received a DTI I sent him to play with. When he's done, I've got no issues with having it route back to me via you...

Of course that assumes opus is going to cut it loose, and not bribe me to keep it...

EDIT: and yes, the DTI Pro is the one to own, but all the other DTI models are damn good in their own right...

03-14-2006, 01:03 AM	#1
I-SIG Polkhead Member Sales Rating: (8) Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Tucson, AZ Posts: 1,981	Whaty kind of coin... ...would I have to drop to make a significant upgrade to my Audio Alchemy DLC. Seriously...and don't say Dodd MLP or the like 'cuase that's a LOT of coin!!! Balanced pre-outs & ins would be a plus since the Parasound 2200 apparently has a fair amount of life in it or at least that's what I've been led to believe. Wes __________________ Panasonic TH-42PHD8UK 42" HDTV Plasma \| Polk Audio SDA-SRS's (w/RDO's & Vampire Posts) + SVS PC+ 25-31 \| AudioQuest Granite (mids) + BWA Silver (highs) \| Cary Audio CAD-200 \| MAC AgQ Silver IC's \| Audio Alchemy DLC \| KAS Maestro Silver IC's \| Cambridge Audio azur 840C--Oppo 970--Pioneer TX-8500 II \| Pure\|AV PF31d

03-17-2006, 01:04 AM	#2
Tour2ma Old School Member Sales Rating: (1) Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: SE Texas Posts: 9,025	DLC's are sweet little pre's aren't they? What are looking to improve upon? __________________ More later, Tour... SOPA-PIAS Taste Good "There is a certain entertainment value in ripping the occaisonal (sic) buttmunch..." - TroyD "Death doesn't come with a Uhaul" - Dennis Gardner "Life's been good to me so far" - J. Walsh Stripped down system flooded by Ike (thanks alot motherf----r) ... SDA CRS+ (floaters) - Carver C4 Pre (anchor) - Carver M4.0 (survivor by ~1")

03-17-2006, 09:04 AM	#4
reeltrouble1 Old School Tubes Rule Member Sales Rating: (18) Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Deep Down the Rabbit Hole Posts: 7,857	Conrad Johnson. RT1 __________________ REEL TIME THEATRE Onkyo TX-DS787 B&K 7270/Polk SWA-500 Pioneer Elite DV47Ai Pioneer Elite 50" Polk LCi-RTS-105;LCi-RTS-C;LCi-RTSFx;LCi80Fx Subs-Twin Polk CSW200 HTS5000 RABBIT HOLE RIG BAT VK-31SE Wolcott Presence monoblocks Musical Fidelity kW SACD Rega P25/RB600/Clearaudio Aurum Beta Acoustech Phono-Pre Sound Lab Millenium ELS BillyBags Rack MIT Shotgun S1/3 cables Shunyata/PS Audio/Virtual Dynamics Power Cords Everything Matters--MadMax

03-17-2006, 12:37 PM	#5
steveinaz Polk Guru Member Sales Rating: (6) Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Javelina Highway Posts: 9,685	Unless you go used and walk into a great deal, I think it's gonna take serious dough brother, that A-Alchemy is nice, very neutral. I asked Gary Dodd if he could build me a passive pre based on his mid-line chasis, he quoted about $800 if I remember right. I'm sure he could put some XLR's on that pup, no problem. Send him an email.. __________________ - C.E.C. CD-3300 CD Transport - Belden 1694A Digital Coaxial - Benchmark DAC/PRE Preamp/DAC - Kimber Hero Interconnects - Parasound HCA-1500A Power Amplifier - Kimber 8TC v.2 Speaker Cable - Energy Connoisseur C-9 Speakers Last edited by steveinaz; 03-17-2006 at 12:46 PM..

03-17-2006, 05:16 PM	#9
ohskigod Polk Master Member Sales Rating: (4) Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: northern nj Posts: 5,438	here's lou's dumb ass question of the day. what is XLR? sorry for the hijack by the way __________________ Theater - Polk LSi15, LSiC, LSi9 speaks, DIY Sub (142.5L box, SVS plus driver, 500 Watt plate amp)...Outlaw 990 pre/pro, Carver TFM45, 2 X Outlaw M200 . Rotel RB980 . PS3, Monster 3600 power center 2 Channel - Promithius TVC passive Pre, Jolida JD100 CD player, CAL Sigma DAC, Carver m4.0, Carver Amazings Office - Anthem Amp 1, Anthem Pre 2l, CAL DX1 (CD), Rogers LS6 monitors

03-17-2006, 01:46 AM	#3
I-SIG Polkhead Member Sales Rating: (8) Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Tucson, AZ Posts: 1,981	I don't know. Just to make a change. I tried a Dared tubed-pre and wasn't impressed overall, so I'm fairly confident that at least a basic tubed-pre ain't gonna do much for me. I figured that since I had the least invested it might be the easiest to do better on. Maybe I'm wrong. I guess I should really wait and see what happens when I add the CEC as a transport into the system before I mess with anything elsewhere. Wes

03-17-2006, 04:00 PM	#7
reeltrouble1 Old School Tubes Rule Member Sales Rating: (18) Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Deep Down the Rabbit Hole Posts: 7,857	800 for a custom piece? Holy crap. OK, maybe not CJ. I don't like gear bashing but lets say in the letter D pre choices I am a fan of Dodd. Wonder if Gary will build me a transport with XLR, naw not his bag, but Wes could sell me that CEC to get some dough!!!!!!!! J/K enjoy your new stuff I am jealous!! RT1

03-17-2006, 04:41 PM	#8
steveinaz Polk Guru Member Sales Rating: (6) Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Javelina Highway Posts: 9,685	It's hard to find a CDP under a grand with XLR. As I'm sure you've found..

03-17-2006, 05:41 PM	#10
Tour2ma Old School Member Sales Rating: (1) Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: SE Texas Posts: 9,025	XLR = Balanced interconnect Ted, "XLR transport" does not compute... you mean CDP? Last edited by Tour2ma; 03-17-2006 at 05:44 PM..

04-19-2006, 06:48 PM	#11
audiobliss Polk Guru Member Sales Rating: (6) Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: American by birth, Southern by the grace of God! (NC) Posts: 12,062	How'd this turn out? You still searching for a preamp, I-SIG, or have you contented yourself for the moment with a new source? __________________ My Saga Equipment Pictures [2CH] Rotel RCD-02 Yamaha KX-W900U Sony ST-S500ES Denon DP-7F Parasound P/HP-850 Parasound HCA-1000A Klipsch RF-35 [In Storage] Yamaha CDR-HD1300 ASL Wave 20 monoblocks Pro-Ject Phono Box MKII [Car System] Pioneer Premier DEH-P860MP Memphis 16-MCA3004 Boston Acoustic RC520

04-19-2006, 07:40 PM	#13
dorokusai Hardcore Member Sales Rating: (41) Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: 6 Feet Under Posts: 17,649	I've heard good things about the CI gear. __________________ Death is my set, guess my religion

04-19-2006, 07:57 PM	#14
RuSsMaN Hardcore Member Sales Rating: (27) Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: North Texas Posts: 16,018	Me too, it appeals to me visually. Clean, no nonsense. __________________ If you're gonna be dumb, you gotta be tough - when you get knocked down, you gotta get back up - Roger Alan Wade

04-19-2006, 11:52 PM	#16
audiobliss Polk Guru Member Sales Rating: (6) Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: American by birth, Southern by the grace of God! (NC) Posts: 12,062	I just checked out www.ciaudio.com. Interesting stuff. However, I didn't see any preamps by CI Audio besides the passive controller. How is Monolithic Sound associated with CI Audio? That Monolithic PA-1 preamp looks pretty interesting. Passive up to 12 o'clock, then a Class A amp provides up to 6db gain when you need it. Are there any other preamps that are passive and active like this?

04-20-2006, 01:16 AM	#18
I-SIG Polkhead Member Sales Rating: (8) Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Tucson, AZ Posts: 1,981	Michael, Nothing happened with the pre upgrade. I'm thinking CD (maybe SACD) source for now. I think I'd probably go for the Marantz 8260 and just wait till they can figure out the macroblocking issues with plasmas on some DVD sources. The problem right now is that I handled a buddies suppressed Krinkov...wow...so much more handy than a short AR, but I digress... I probably should contact CIA. My DLC actually has a CIA power supply, so I know I'm good on that. I think that was one of the DLC main issues was needing something better than a wall wart for juice. Who knows, in ten years a little $100 mod might really make the DLC a no-brainer lifetime keeper. Wes

04-20-2006, 11:06 AM	#19
Tour2ma Old School Member Sales Rating: (1) Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: SE Texas Posts: 9,025	DLC's came with just about every PS AA made: the One, the Three and the Four. The Three is the most sought after, and the only one AA made that you don't have to hide. There were two PS3 models. Both had the same basic look as all of their gear, but on one model the left side of its face plate is concave, so that it mates up perfectly with the face plate of whatever AA piece it is powering.

04-25-2006, 03:04 AM	#22
Tour2ma Old School Member Sales Rating: (1) Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: SE Texas Posts: 9,025	Bob, I see a couple on ebay every year. Lately they've gone in the $180 to 200 area. A couple years ago two went for just over $60. They are stout, but ugly... The pic'd DLC/ PS2/ LIS combo went for nearly $500. The LIS may be the rarest AA bird of all. I've only seen one other one listed... The more handsome DLC/ PS3 pic'd fetched just under $300. Attached Thumbnails Last edited by Tour2ma; 04-27-2006 at 01:07 AM..

04-25-2006, 10:36 AM	#24
Tour2ma Old School Member Sales Rating: (1) Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: SE Texas Posts: 9,025	I-SIG, Can you post a pic?

04-26-2006, 12:45 AM	#25
I-SIG Polkhead Member Sales Rating: (8) Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Tucson, AZ Posts: 1,981	Ask and ye shall receive. Wes Attached Thumbnails

04-26-2006, 10:47 PM	#26
organ Polk Expert Member Sales Rating: (1) Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Deep in the Amazon Posts: 4,118	I used to own Audio Alchemy gear. Jitter reducers and DAC. Very good stuff. Bruce (Tour2ma) is THE man to talk to about AA. He knows everything about their pretty little black boxes.

04-27-2006, 01:10 AM	#27
Tour2ma Old School Member Sales Rating: (1) Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: SE Texas Posts: 9,025	Ah shucks... First read of AA years ago when it was blowing the minds of several Stereophile reviewers. Couldn't afford it then, but thanks to ebay... It was high value stuff at MSRP, but at today's used prices it's just riduculously high value stuff.

04-27-2006, 01:42 AM	#29
organ Polk Expert Member Sales Rating: (1) Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Deep in the Amazon Posts: 4,118	Wes, The DTI worked very well in my combo. I actually used two different models, both made by AA. I guess the only way to describe it is that it "fleshed" out the music more. If you're getting an AA DTI, look at the "pro" versions that have an option to add dither in the digital signal. People claim that it makes the sound more analog sounding. Good luck.

04-27-2006, 01:43 AM	#30
Tour2ma Old School Member Sales Rating: (1) Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: SE Texas Posts: 9,025	The modest kind... as in, "Ah shucks organ, you're embarassing me..." Wes, opus just received a DTI I sent him to play with. When he's done, I've got no issues with having it route back to me via you... Of course that assumes opus is going to cut it loose, and not bribe me to keep it... EDIT: and yes, the DTI Pro is the one to own, but all the other DTI models are damn good in their own right... Last edited by Tour2ma; 04-27-2006 at 01:46 AM..

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