Dreadnaught Avel-Lindberg 1000VA Transformer Group Buy?

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  • motorstereo
    motorstereo Posts: 2,427
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    I had thought that they were being wound at Avel's here in the states (not that it really matters). Now I know why it took all this time but I'm betting it'll be well worth the waitvjnb6l7ic8jh.jpg
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  • nspindel
    nspindel Posts: 5,343
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    I don't have a Waterford WI address on my list. Did you guys ask me to change that address or did you go straight to Melanie? I know Glen had originally ordered three, but then changed to two.
    Good music, a good source, and good power can make SDA's sing. Tubes make them dance.
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  • TNTsTunes
    TNTsTunes Posts: 751
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    I'm not sure what Glen did about shipping address changes. If he didn't contact you odds are it's being sent to him first and he'll send it to me. He did have Larry send me the case for it directly to me. I'll have to send Glen a message.
    "Make a man a fire and he'll be warm for a day. Light
    a man on fire and he'll be warm for the rest of his life."

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  • F1nut
    F1nut Posts: 52,406
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    TennMan wrote: »
    Did you consider adding a switch to the case to bypass the transformer? That way you could do an A/B test without swapping cables.

    1. Adding another connection increasing the likelyhood of more noise on the line.
    2. Not one person that has added the transformer has gone back to using their SDA's without it, so there really is no point.
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  • TennMan
    TennMan Posts: 1,266
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    Thanks F1.
    • SDA 2BTL · Sonicaps · Mills resistors · RDO-198s · New gaskets · H-nuts · Erse inductors · BH5 · Dynamat
    • Crossover upgrades by westmassguy
    • Marantz 1504 AVR (front speaker pre-outs to Adcom 555)
    • Adcom GFA-555 amp · Upgrades & speaker protection added by OldmanSRS
    • Pioneer DV-610AV DVD/CD player
    • SDA CRS+ · Hidden away in the closet
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  • agfrost
    agfrost Posts: 2,497
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    TennMan wrote: »
    Did you consider adding a switch to the case to bypass the transformer? That way you could do an A/B test without swapping cables.
    F1nut wrote: »
    TennMan wrote: »
    Did you consider adding a switch to the case to bypass the transformer? That way you could do an A/B test without swapping cables.

    1. Adding another connection increasing the likelyhood of more noise on the line.
    2. Not one person that has added the transformer has gone back to using their SDA's without it, so there really is no point.

    A/B not really the purpose.

    1) First, at one point I thought I'd have my Speakon connector on the speakers before the transformer arrived, and I wanted a cable so I could still listen.
    2) If I opt to get different SDAs later on down the road, I'd like to be able to sell mine with an interconnect, so I have that in reserve.

    Looking forward to doing the last bit of work when my shipment comes in!
    Jay
    SDA 2BTL * McCormack DNA 0.5 amp * Oppo BDP-93 * Modded Adcom GDA-600 DAC * Rythmik F8 (x2)
    Micro Seiki DQ-50 * Mitsubishi LT-30 * Hagerman Cornet 2 Phono
    Preamp rotation: Krell KSL (SCompRacer recapped) * Manley Shrimp * PS Audio 5.0
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  • Moose68Bash
    Moose68Bash Posts: 3,843
    edited October 2014
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    Hey, Neil,

    My Avel-Linberg 1000VA transformer arrived a few minutes ago.

    Again, many thanks for executing this group buy for us.

    PS: It almost gave the USPS delivery woman a herniated disc!

    PSS: I didn't post a picture because mine looks just like motorstereo's, including the "Made in Sri Lanka" sticker! :)
    Family Room, Innuos Statement streamer (Roon Core) with Morrow Audio USB cable to McIntosh MC 2700 pre with DC2 Digital Audio Module; AQ Sky XLRs to CAT 600.2 dualmono amp, Morrow Elite Speaker Cables to NOLA Baby Grand Reference Gold 3 speakers. Power source for all components: Silver Circle Audio Pure Power One with dedicated 20 amp circuit to main panel.

    Exercise Room, Innuos Streamer via Cat 6 cable connection to PS Audio PerfectWave MkII DAC w/Bridge II, AQ King Cobra RCAs to Perreaux PMF3150 amp (fully restored and upgraded by Jeffrey Jackson, Precision Audio Labs), Supra Rondo 4x2.5 Speaker Cables to SDA 1Cs (Vr3 Mods Xovers and other mods.), Dreadnaught with Supra Rondo 4x2.5 interconnect cables by Vr3 Mods. Power for each component from dedicated 20 amp circuit to main panel, except Innuos Statement powered from Silver Circle Audio Pure Power One.

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  • MrBuhl
    MrBuhl Posts: 2,419
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    Mine just arrived - thanks Neil - man - I have SOOOooo much more SDA work to get completed, (rings to install, spikes to install, toroid to figure out), time to get crankin!
    VA HT HK AVR20II, Sony S9000ES CD/DVD/SACD, Polk Audio RC80i / Polk Audio CSi3, 60" Panasonic Plasma, Nordost / Signal Cable A2 / Wireworld / Pangea / Magic Power
    VA 2 Channel Focal Electra 926 speakers, Pass Labs X150.5 Amp, Eastern Electric MiniMax Preamp (Tutay mods), Eastern Electric Minimax CDP (Scott Nixon mods), Music Hall mmf 5.1 Turntable, Parks Audio Budgie Phono Pre , Audioengine B1 streamer, MIT S3 IC's / MIT Shotgun S3 Speaker Cables / PS Audio power cables
    Noggin Schiit Valhalla, Pangea, Phillips Fidelio X1, Polk UF8000

    Polk SDA1c modded
    Polk CRS+ 4.1TL modded (need veneer)
    Polk SDA2BTL (fully modded)
    A/L 1000VA Dreadnought Canare 4s11 SDA cable
    SACD Marantz DV8300
    Sony S9000ES CD/DVD/SACD
    Yamaha YP-D6
    Soundcraftsmen PCR800
    Audible Illusions L1 Preamp
    Vincent MFA based Cocci Tube Preamp
    Pho-700 Phono Pre
    Signal Cable Silver Resolution IC's






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  • drumminman
    drumminman Posts: 3,396
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    Neil,

    My tranny was sitting at the garage door when I arrived home today. Got my Hepta Litz inductors earlier this week. Need a few more bits and pieces and I'll be ready to finish my CRS+ upgrades.
    "Science is suppose to explain observations not dismiss them as impossible" - Norm on AA; 2.3TL's w/sonicaps/mills/jantzen inductors, Gimpod's boards, Lg Solen SDA inductors, RD-0198's, MW's dynamatted, Armaflex speaker gaskets, H-nuts, brass spikes, Cardas CCGR BP's, upgraded IC Cable, Black Hole Damping Sheet strips, interior of cabinets sealed with Loctite Power Grab, AI-1 interface with 1000VA A-L transformer
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  • Sea
    Sea Posts: 317
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    Got mine too! Thanks nspindel.
    Main-Carver TFM35(2),Carver C11 ,Carver SD/A 360 CD,Carver TX11 ,Grace Digital Tuner, Pioneer PL707 TT,Polk SDA1C
    Downstairs -Carver M1.5t, Carver C1 Pre, Carver TX10 Tuner, Carver TL3200 CD Player, Dual 1009 TT,Polk SDA SRS 2.3tl
    Study - Carver AV634 Amp, Carver CT7 Pre, Carver DTL50 CD Player, Polk RTA12c
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  • agfrost
    agfrost Posts: 2,497
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    Sea wrote: »
    Got mine too! Thanks nspindel.

    Ditto.

    Jay
    SDA 2BTL * McCormack DNA 0.5 amp * Oppo BDP-93 * Modded Adcom GDA-600 DAC * Rythmik F8 (x2)
    Micro Seiki DQ-50 * Mitsubishi LT-30 * Hagerman Cornet 2 Phono
    Preamp rotation: Krell KSL (SCompRacer recapped) * Manley Shrimp * PS Audio 5.0
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  • crispybrown
    crispybrown Posts: 21
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    Moose68Bash wrote: »
    PSS: I didn't post a picture because mine looks just like motorstereo's, including the "Made in Sri Lanka" sticker! :)

    Somehow despite the picture I didn't realise the magnitude of this transformer until it arrived. I would suggest a banana for scale but that wouldn't help convey the weight! Time to finally get around to ordering the speakons and misc. hardware...
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  • Moose68Bash
    Moose68Bash Posts: 3,843
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    crispybrown wrote: »
    Somehow despite the picture I didn't realise the magnitude of this transformer until it arrived. I would suggest a banana for scale but that wouldn't help convey the weight! Time to finally get around to ordering the speakons and misc. hardware...

    Good idea!

    A banana for the dimensions, and sitting on a scale to show the weight!
    Family Room, Innuos Statement streamer (Roon Core) with Morrow Audio USB cable to McIntosh MC 2700 pre with DC2 Digital Audio Module; AQ Sky XLRs to CAT 600.2 dualmono amp, Morrow Elite Speaker Cables to NOLA Baby Grand Reference Gold 3 speakers. Power source for all components: Silver Circle Audio Pure Power One with dedicated 20 amp circuit to main panel.

    Exercise Room, Innuos Streamer via Cat 6 cable connection to PS Audio PerfectWave MkII DAC w/Bridge II, AQ King Cobra RCAs to Perreaux PMF3150 amp (fully restored and upgraded by Jeffrey Jackson, Precision Audio Labs), Supra Rondo 4x2.5 Speaker Cables to SDA 1Cs (Vr3 Mods Xovers and other mods.), Dreadnaught with Supra Rondo 4x2.5 interconnect cables by Vr3 Mods. Power for each component from dedicated 20 amp circuit to main panel, except Innuos Statement powered from Silver Circle Audio Pure Power One.

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  • Sea
    Sea Posts: 317
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    I have seen it somewhere but I cannot find it again. Can anyone explain the origins of the name Dreadnougt? I understand the historical significance, I mean as relates to the AL-1.
    Main-Carver TFM35(2),Carver C11 ,Carver SD/A 360 CD,Carver TX11 ,Grace Digital Tuner, Pioneer PL707 TT,Polk SDA1C
    Downstairs -Carver M1.5t, Carver C1 Pre, Carver TX10 Tuner, Carver TL3200 CD Player, Dual 1009 TT,Polk SDA SRS 2.3tl
    Study - Carver AV634 Amp, Carver CT7 Pre, Carver DTL50 CD Player, Polk RTA12c
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  • drumminman
    drumminman Posts: 3,396
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    IIRC Darqueknight came up with the name.
    "Science is suppose to explain observations not dismiss them as impossible" - Norm on AA; 2.3TL's w/sonicaps/mills/jantzen inductors, Gimpod's boards, Lg Solen SDA inductors, RD-0198's, MW's dynamatted, Armaflex speaker gaskets, H-nuts, brass spikes, Cardas CCGR BP's, upgraded IC Cable, Black Hole Damping Sheet strips, interior of cabinets sealed with Loctite Power Grab, AI-1 interface with 1000VA A-L transformer
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  • westmassguy
    westmassguy Posts: 6,850
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    drumminman wrote: »
    IIRC Darqueknight came up with the name.
    An awesome choice, whoever came up with it.
    Home Theater/2 Channel:
    Front: SDA-2ATL forum.polkaudio.com/discussion/143984/my-2as-finally-finished-almost/p1
    Center: Custom Built forum.polkaudio.com/discussion/150760/my-center-channel-project/p1
    Surrounds & Rears: Custom Built forum.polkaudio.com/discussion/151647/my-surround-project/p1
    Sonicaps, Mills, RDO-194s-198s, Dynamat, Hurricane Nuts, Blackhole5
    Pioneer Elite VSX-72TXV, Carver PM-600, SVS PB2-Plus Subwoofer

    dhsspeakerservice.com/
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  • DarqueKnight
    DarqueKnight Posts: 6,765
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    Sea wrote: »
    I have seen it somewhere but I cannot find it again. Can anyone explain the origins of the name Dreadnougt? I understand the historical significance, I mean as relates to the AL-1.
    DarqueKnight wrote: »
    I called it the "Dreadnought" because the user would not have to be afraid of using any high powered non-common ground amplifier with their SDA's.

    Proud and loyal citizen of the Digital Domain and Solid State Country!
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  • Sea
    Sea Posts: 317
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    Thanks DarqueKnight for the response and the research.
    Main-Carver TFM35(2),Carver C11 ,Carver SD/A 360 CD,Carver TX11 ,Grace Digital Tuner, Pioneer PL707 TT,Polk SDA1C
    Downstairs -Carver M1.5t, Carver C1 Pre, Carver TX10 Tuner, Carver TL3200 CD Player, Dual 1009 TT,Polk SDA SRS 2.3tl
    Study - Carver AV634 Amp, Carver CT7 Pre, Carver DTL50 CD Player, Polk RTA12c
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  • Sea
    Sea Posts: 317
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    Today I wired up my transformer as listed in F1nuts thread.
    Red/yellow right plus
    Black/orange right minus

    Grey/brown left plus
    blue/ violet left minus

    No sound from sda drivers. Double checked continuity of cables....ok
    I have no contunity from left to right coming out of the box

    BUT, I do have contunity between the plus and minus on each side.

    Is that normal? I have checked and rechecked but I am afraid I have made some stupid oversite
    Main-Carver TFM35(2),Carver C11 ,Carver SD/A 360 CD,Carver TX11 ,Grace Digital Tuner, Pioneer PL707 TT,Polk SDA1C
    Downstairs -Carver M1.5t, Carver C1 Pre, Carver TX10 Tuner, Carver TL3200 CD Player, Dual 1009 TT,Polk SDA SRS 2.3tl
    Study - Carver AV634 Amp, Carver CT7 Pre, Carver DTL50 CD Player, Polk RTA12c
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  • drumminman
    drumminman Posts: 3,396
    edited October 2014
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    Based on your description you have the AI-1 wired correctly. Sea, have you changed any of the wiring at your binding posts, or from the binding posts to the Xover ?

    Which SDA speakers are you connecting the Dreadnought to?
    "Science is suppose to explain observations not dismiss them as impossible" - Norm on AA; 2.3TL's w/sonicaps/mills/jantzen inductors, Gimpod's boards, Lg Solen SDA inductors, RD-0198's, MW's dynamatted, Armaflex speaker gaskets, H-nuts, brass spikes, Cardas CCGR BP's, upgraded IC Cable, Black Hole Damping Sheet strips, interior of cabinets sealed with Loctite Power Grab, AI-1 interface with 1000VA A-L transformer
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  • Sea
    Sea Posts: 317
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    Yes, But it was working before. I put speakons in and made a cable a few weeks ago. It has worked fine. Today, I cut that same cable in half and put another pair of speakon connectors on. I wired the speakons at the binding posts like before. The blade to negative and the pin to positive on the speakon female.
    Main-Carver TFM35(2),Carver C11 ,Carver SD/A 360 CD,Carver TX11 ,Grace Digital Tuner, Pioneer PL707 TT,Polk SDA1C
    Downstairs -Carver M1.5t, Carver C1 Pre, Carver TX10 Tuner, Carver TL3200 CD Player, Dual 1009 TT,Polk SDA SRS 2.3tl
    Study - Carver AV634 Amp, Carver CT7 Pre, Carver DTL50 CD Player, Polk RTA12c
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  • nspindel
    nspindel Posts: 5,343
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    Great to hear that everyone is finally receiving their transformers! Happy to have been able to help you all out.
    Good music, a good source, and good power can make SDA's sing. Tubes make them dance.
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  • Sea
    Sea Posts: 317
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    I found my problem. I had one of the connectors wired on 2- instead of 1-. I knew it would be something stupid.
    Main-Carver TFM35(2),Carver C11 ,Carver SD/A 360 CD,Carver TX11 ,Grace Digital Tuner, Pioneer PL707 TT,Polk SDA1C
    Downstairs -Carver M1.5t, Carver C1 Pre, Carver TX10 Tuner, Carver TL3200 CD Player, Dual 1009 TT,Polk SDA SRS 2.3tl
    Study - Carver AV634 Amp, Carver CT7 Pre, Carver DTL50 CD Player, Polk RTA12c
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  • motorstereo
    motorstereo Posts: 2,427
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    I just finished up wiring up my dreadnaught and making the speakon cables and their connections. This was a really fun way to spend a rainy Saturday and well worth the 12 hour effort. So far I'm quite pleased with the sound improvement over my old A1 interconnect. Once again thanks to Neil for making this possible. Also to Darqueknight and F1nut for the easy to understand instructions on how to do yet another worthwhile mod on these fine old speakers.
    Now the fun starts once again in the listening and break in period.
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  • stogie
    stogie Posts: 230
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    Received mine yesterday. Thanks Neil for handling this group buy!
    Speakers: Polk SDA-SRS xovers rebuilt by David, RDO194's, Dynamat, BH5, glued magnets, new cloth, custom aluminum terminal plates with Cardas posts and Speakon interconnect
    Speaker Cables, Jumpers & Interconnect: DIY Douglas Connection
    Power Amp: Sunfire Architect's Choice Series II
    Preamp: Adcom GFP-750
    SACD/CD: Oppo BDP-95
    Tuner: Sansui TU-717
    TT: Technics SL-MA1
    Phono Pre: Emotiva XPS-1
    Music Server: Mac Mini w/JRiver - iPad w/JRemote
    DAC: Eastern Electric MiniMax Plus
    Other Polks: SDA: 1A, 1C, 2B, CRS+ / Monitor: 10A, 5jr, 4 / RT5
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  • nspindel
    nspindel Posts: 5,343
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    So how many people actually have wired it up and tested already? Curious if anyone else has gotten as far as motorstereo and is able to tell if they notice a difference over the straight cable?
    Good music, a good source, and good power can make SDA's sing. Tubes make them dance.
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  • drumminman
    drumminman Posts: 3,396
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    It'll be a few weeks for me as all the parts to finish the Dreadnought and CRS+ mods are yet to arrive.
    "Science is suppose to explain observations not dismiss them as impossible" - Norm on AA; 2.3TL's w/sonicaps/mills/jantzen inductors, Gimpod's boards, Lg Solen SDA inductors, RD-0198's, MW's dynamatted, Armaflex speaker gaskets, H-nuts, brass spikes, Cardas CCGR BP's, upgraded IC Cable, Black Hole Damping Sheet strips, interior of cabinets sealed with Loctite Power Grab, AI-1 interface with 1000VA A-L transformer
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  • motorstereo
    motorstereo Posts: 2,427
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    nspindel wrote: »
    So how many people actually have wired it up and tested already? Curious if anyone else has gotten as far as motorstereo and is able to tell if they notice a difference over the straight cable?
    As I mentioned mine got completed yesterday. The first song I played was a mild disappointment. 2nd song got better and it seems with each passing hour now there's been noticeable improvements. I don't know why but the bass seems more pronounced now and I haven't had the want or need to use my 18" sub. Mids are also cleaner as I've been able to pick out a few phrases on recordings that I couldn't make out before. And yes the soundstage seems to have gotten a bit wider also. I can actually tell the difference in the sound as soon as I walk in the door even though I'm behind the rig. And this is the difference from the A1 interconnect that I'd had. The A1 was a noticeable improvement over the straight wire. One other area I noticed a change for the better is that the speakers seem to be a bit more sensitive also. I had been looking for another Mcintosh mc2500 for a bit more wpc but that idea is on hold now as of yesterday. I feel quite certain that this one of the better upgrades that I've made on those tl's in the few years that I've owned them.
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  • nspindel
    nspindel Posts: 5,343
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    Anyone here moving up from the 800VA?
    Good music, a good source, and good power can make SDA's sing. Tubes make them dance.
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  • drumminman
    drumminman Posts: 3,396
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    Motostereo, I experienced each of those things when I built my first Dreadnought with an 800VA A-L. It sounded like I had a more powerful amp, the midrange was cleaner, the bass was more tactile and a little cleaner, voices sounded more pure, more natural, better transients (the pluck of a guitar string, a stick hitting a drum or cymbal). And all of that improved yet again when I built my 1000VA Dreadnought.
    "Science is suppose to explain observations not dismiss them as impossible" - Norm on AA; 2.3TL's w/sonicaps/mills/jantzen inductors, Gimpod's boards, Lg Solen SDA inductors, RD-0198's, MW's dynamatted, Armaflex speaker gaskets, H-nuts, brass spikes, Cardas CCGR BP's, upgraded IC Cable, Black Hole Damping Sheet strips, interior of cabinets sealed with Loctite Power Grab, AI-1 interface with 1000VA A-L transformer
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