spritzer Posted April 22, 2008 Report Share Posted April 22, 2008 (edited) Well it's finally arrived after sitting at APL since December waiting for the 32bit upgrade. I'm not terribly bothered though as it arrived in one piece, the whole 20kgs. The unit is still warming up but first impressions are very positive though the whole system is stone cold so I might have a better idea tonight. Right now I'm listening to the SACD Dire Straits - Brothers in Arms and it is flat out stunning. The sound is just like it's from a great electrostatic, hanging in space and inviting you to take a listen. The first thing I did was to rip it open to inspect any shipping damage so I'll leave you with some internal porn... As you can see there is a whole lot of iron in the player and the output transformers are truly massive!!! It will take some time to get used to the two remotes needed if the internal volume control is enabled but they are still smaller then the Meridian monstrosity. Edited July 5, 2008 by tkam re-added spritzer's photos Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
luvdunhill Posted April 22, 2008 Report Share Posted April 22, 2008 nice! There are some Kitamua Kiden r-cores on Ebay, but I cannot figure out their specs... so, I ordered a pair of custom wound for 2 projects I'm working on Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
n_maher Posted April 22, 2008 Report Share Posted April 22, 2008 How long are you going to leave that JJ tube in there? Glad to hear that it finally arrived and more importantly fully intact. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
deepak Posted April 22, 2008 Report Share Posted April 22, 2008 How long are you going to leave that JJ tube in there? Probably forever since they're the only ECC99 tube maker Congrats Birgir, enjoy! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
luvdunhill Posted April 22, 2008 Report Share Posted April 22, 2008 Probably forever since they're the only ECC99 tube maker Congrats Birgir, enjoy! damn, you beat me to it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
deepak Posted April 22, 2008 Report Share Posted April 22, 2008 They are great tubes, my friend's monos use them as drivers and his system is sublime. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
luvdunhill Posted April 22, 2008 Report Share Posted April 22, 2008 what kind of caps are flanking the tube? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spritzer Posted April 22, 2008 Author Report Share Posted April 22, 2008 nice! There are some Kitamua Kiden r-cores on Ebay, but I cannot figure out their specs... so, I ordered a pair of custom wound for 2 projects I'm working on Hehe... Very nice transformers though and the same as Esoteric uses in their players. How long are you going to leave that JJ tube in there? Glad to hear that it finally arrived and more importantly fully intact. There are no other ECC99's that I'm aware of and since it is one of the best tubes you can get it will stay put unless I break down and order the gold pin version. Great tubes indeed. what kind of caps are flanking the tube? I didn't look but there is no Black Gate nonsense here though I would have liked to see some Elna audio goodness... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tkam Posted April 22, 2008 Report Share Posted April 22, 2008 congrats I imagine thats one hell of a nice sounding source Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aardvark baguette Posted April 22, 2008 Report Share Posted April 22, 2008 Wow that looks intense. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Augsburger Posted April 22, 2008 Report Share Posted April 22, 2008 Congratulations! I want one so bad. Please update us with your impressions as you get used to the player. I for one will be very interested to see if the APL/3910 continues to meet your expectations. (envy, envy, envy) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
n_maher Posted April 22, 2008 Report Share Posted April 22, 2008 Probably forever since they're the only ECC99 tube maker aha, pretty crazy that there's only one man'f for a given tube. And the electrolytics appear to be a mix of Panasonic FC or FM series (hard to tell apart in pictures) and Nichicon UPW (or similar). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spritzer Posted April 22, 2008 Author Report Share Posted April 22, 2008 First impressions are just getting better and better though the player is limited by the need for a step down transformer. The one I'm using now isn't all that good but that will be rectified soon with a proper "audiophile" unit. Right now I'm running it via the my Poiema !!! XLR cables into the Blue Hawaii and the SR-007. I'd like to use my own cables instead but they are out on loan and I have no idea when I can get them back. It's not my fault that they eat the Valhalla for lunch... In the wrong system this player could be considered boring or lifeless much the same as the SR-007 is sometimes called dead and boring. There is no excess here, the sound is simply presented as it should be. There was some high end glare at first but it's gone now and replaced with a sharp treble that has plenty of bite when needed but it soft... ohh so soft. There is some slight etch on the midrange, ever so subtle but it slightly alters the sound of voices and some instruments from neutral. The soundstage is very tight and controlled but without any decent speakers at hand it's tough to get a handle on it. The bass is world class, understated and with the correct amount of bloom even with such bass monsters as the SR-007. There is also plenty of PRaT so Deacon Blues by Steely Dan has the tight beat but it's also understated enough not to intrude. Now for some more listening and to check if there are any 230v UX-1's I can find... aha, pretty crazy that there's only one man'f for a given tube. And the electrolytics appear to be a mix of Panasonic FC or FM series (hard to tell apart in pictures) and Nichicon UPW (or similar). They are a very recent design in tube terms so there is no NOS stock. It's pretty popular though and rightly so. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PFKMan23 Posted April 22, 2008 Report Share Posted April 22, 2008 what cables do you use? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
luvdunhill Posted April 22, 2008 Report Share Posted April 22, 2008 what cables do you use? RSA cables Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
909 Posted April 22, 2008 Report Share Posted April 22, 2008 Congratulations! APL has a glowing reputation for his modifications. Did you consider other sources? What are you comparing it against? Can't wait to read more impressions! I am eager to hear one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spritzer Posted April 22, 2008 Author Report Share Posted April 22, 2008 RSA cables Epic fail on my part... I normally use my own cables which are basically very well damped, soft silver wires in cotton. The Poiema is damn good though if a bit unwieldy. Congratulations! APL has a glowing reputation for his modifications. Did you consider other sources? What are you comparing it against? Can't wait to read more impressions! I am eager to hear one. I've had a whole lot of stuff here over the years, Wadia 861, Emm Signature combo, Meridian 808, Sony SCD-1 amongst others. There is a lot of stuff that I've heard in other systems but those impressions are basically worthless. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
purk Posted April 22, 2008 Report Share Posted April 22, 2008 Birgir, How does the DAS-R1 measures up to the APL 3910 32 bit? Purk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
luvdunhill Posted April 22, 2008 Report Share Posted April 22, 2008 Epic fail on my part... I normally use my own cables which are basically very well damped, soft silver wires in cotton. The Poiema is damn good though if a bit unwieldy. I'm staring a rumor that you use Ray Samuel Audio cables .... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spritzer Posted April 22, 2008 Author Report Share Posted April 22, 2008 Birgir, How does the DAS-R1 measures up to the APL 3910 32 bit? Purk It''s utterly outclassed in every way. Still it's a great dac and holds its own against the likes of the G08 in most areas. The only real drawback is in detail retrieval and treble extension. It's nice to see that there has been some improvement over the last 21 years... I'm staring a rumor that you use Ray Samuel Audio cables .... You bastard!!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
n_maher Posted April 22, 2008 Report Share Posted April 22, 2008 You bastard!!!!! For a pair of Lambdas I think I can contain that rumor for you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
purk Posted April 22, 2008 Report Share Posted April 22, 2008 Wanna sell your DAS-R1? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spritzer Posted April 22, 2008 Author Report Share Posted April 22, 2008 For a pair of Lambdas I think I can contain that rumor for you. I don't have any Lambdas left... Wanna sell your DAS-R1? I might. The shipping will be a murder though but by far the cheapest to the US due to some glitch in the system. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
n_maher Posted April 22, 2008 Report Share Posted April 22, 2008 I don't have any Lambdas left... I'm not picky, any stax will do really. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Salt Peanuts Posted April 22, 2008 Report Share Posted April 22, 2008 Congrats on the new gear, spritzer! Speaking of DAS-R1, do you have any decent picture of the DAC? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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