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Another beast tamed...Acoustat Spectra 22

SimplySound said:
Hey Tom, you might also want to look for a Sunfire amp. Bob Carver has done some real interesting things in the world of amplification! No doubt... controversy yes, but no doubt! :yes:

And since I have been lurking around the Acoustat Posts of late, let me first make the announcement here, that I will soon be joining Tom with a pair of Spectra 22's sitting next to my KEF 107's! That is going to be an interesting comparison. :yes: And I think I know how it will pan out! :smoke:

More fun to follow! :thmbsp:
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Congrats!

And the PL700B has been sent out for updating and major tweaks.
 
tomlinmgt
And the PL700B has been sent out for updating and major tweaks.
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From all I have read the upgrade turns it into quite the amp, although comparing it to some of the other players should sort things out.

What is the lead time on the PL updating?
 
Well, Ive handed it off to Kevin (Mondialfan) and we've been discussing the WO mods vs just doing a no holds barred upgrade of his own design. He was talking with Joe of White Oak and some elements of the discussion caused Kevin (and I) to raise an eyebrow. Not that there's anything wrong with the WO kit, but well, it has real nice boards..everything else is fairly typical in terms of what one would do to update an old design with current tech. And there's also the quasi vs full comp debate. Some interesting arguments from both sides and I'm still researching that topic. Anyway...adding the White Oak boards after updating with new caps and transistors is doable and not difficult, according to Kevin. I'll let Kevin throw all his tricks at it and give it a listen. If it doesn't satisfy we'll gather up the WO bits and see if it makes any difference. Maybe Kevin will have something in a few months. There are a few caps that are currently unavailable.
 
Well, I went up to Santa Fe today and auditioned a set of Spectra 22's and they sounded awesome! I was so psyched to get them home and try them out. I couldn't wait!

Well long story short, when I got them set up in my system they didn't play very loud and when I got up to around 98-99db they would distort... Gee Tomlin, sounds like you and I have something in common!

Looks like I'll be reading this thread deeply, because what I auditioned sounded incredible and I so want to get that sound in my room.

So first things first, It seems like a voltage gain issue on my AVR. I'm running an NAD T775 AVR into a McCormack DNA1 Deluxe to the Spectras. What should I consider to maintain my HT Setup? I really don't want to dedicate this setup to 2-Channel audio.

Is there someway to get the gain from the AVR to a level to drive the Spectras through the McCormack? Thoughts? :scratch2:
 
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Even with 450/ch from the Hafler XL and multiple subs I couldn't get clean reproduction that close to 100db. Mid 90's at best and not even that if there is a lot of dynamic complexity in the mid bass to lower mid range. Now, if I didn't run them full range and engaged the 80 Hz cut-off filter I could get them up around 100db bit I don't like how doing that leans out their sonic character.

I've given up on trying to get 2-panel stats to deliver clean, high volume output like I hear from line source Infinitys or Altec horn designs...it's simply something they dont excel at doing.
 
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E-Stat said:
You're clipping the amp.

Two panel Acoustats need lots of power and are not capable of ear bleeding levels. If you want high output levels, you need a four or six panel model.
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A McCormack DNA-1 Deluxe good for 500W into 2 ohms? I have a hard time believing that!

No it almost seems like Tom's situation, where getting the pre-amp out of the path solved his situation. It seems like the output gain from the AVR isn't enough to drive the speakers through the power amp. Again, it is real faint even at like 80db.
 
Different preamps did indeed have a big effect on the output levels I could get from my Spectras. Still, I don't think it's in their DNA to be face melting, gut jarring rockers.
 
SimplySound said:
A McCormack DNA-1 Deluxe good for 500W into 2 ohms? I have a hard time believing that!
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You're driving what is primarily a 4 ohm load where output is more like 300W. I run my 1+1s with a Threshold amp putting out 200W. Those small speakers are not intended to produce 100+ db output. The larger models, however, are.

SimplySound said:
It seems like the output gain from the AVR isn't enough to drive the speakers through the power amp. Again, it is real faint even at like 80db.
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Then the power amp would not be reaching full output, not distorting.
 
tomlinmgt said:
Different preamps did indeed have a big effect on the output levels I could get from my Spectras. Still, I don't think it's in their DNA to be face melting, gut jarring rockers.
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No, these things were playing pretty loud during the audition. Something is attenuating them

So I plugged my Yammie CDX-930 CD direct into my DNA and same thing. The guy I bought them from seems to think they just need to charge up. So I'm going to wait until tomorrow to see what they do.

More fun to follow... cuz I'm a patient man! :thmbsp:
 
12 hrs min before they start to settle in to optimum sonics, but I never pushed the volume on mine before I felt they were fully charged so can't say what effect a not yet fully charged interface has on output capability.

What music were you listening to at the seller's...and how big was his room and does the way they were set up there differ much from the way you have them set up at your place?
 
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tomlinmgt said:
12 hrs min before they start to settle in to optimum sonics, but I never pushed the volume on mine before I felt they were fully charged so can't say what effect a not yet fully charged interface has on output capability.

What music were you listening to at the seller's...and how big was his room and does the way they were set up there differ much from the way you have them set up at your place?
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Yeah Michael, he had them playing through a Nak SA-4a, which I actually have one of. That thing doesn't come close to the power of the DNA.

I'm going to put everything back and wait until tomorrow. He also asked if I had the wiring hooked up properly after putting them together. I believe I do, but if they don't change, I'll check that.

What I heard during the audition was awesome... I hope I can get there with them in my system! More fun coming up! :yes:
 
McCormack DNA-1 Specs... 50A Output!:

Description: Solid-state stereo power amplifier. Rated power output: 150Wpc RMS into 8 ohms (21.8dBW), 300Wpc RMS into 4 ohms (21.8dBW), 500Wpc RMS into 2 ohms (21.0dBW) (bandwidth and distortion not specified). Output current: 50A peak per channel. Input impedance: 100k ohms. Input sensitivity: 1.2V. Frequency response: -3dB at 0.5Hz and 250kHz. Rise time: ±2µs. Slew rate: 50V/µs. S/N ratio: 88dB, "A" weighted. Damping factor: >100 (1kHz, 8 ohm load). Output impedance: ±0.1 ohm. DC offset: ±5mV. Signal polarity: non-inverting.
 
LOL and LMAO!!! :lmao:

It helps to turn on the power strip that you are using to plug the wall warts into!!! Now the little red lights are on!!!

And low and behold I have music!!! :music:

And so why do stats need power supplies? :scratch2:
 
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SimplySound said:
LOL and LMAO!!! :lmao:

It helps to turn on the power strip that you are using to plug the wall warts into!!! Now the little red lights are on!!!

And low and behold I have music!!! :music:

And so why do stats need power supplies? :scratch2:
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Been there, done that!

Isn't it awesome when you realize there is actually no problem to solve? Enjoy your Acoustats!
 
Wow isn't the half of it... looks like I'm changing my signature line! :yes: Morphine is playing live in my living room right now! :music: 98db and loving life! :thmbsp:

On a side note, the TDL's are really synched in on the bass with these. I don't feel like I've lost much with the KEF bass cabs being out of the mix.

The McCormack isn't even heated up so all good there, doesn't seem to be breaking a sweat.

The interfaces were recapped a couple years ago. One thing the previous owner suggested was rebuilding the Bias Amplifiers in these things to improve the efficiency. I hate to sideline them for that, but maybe it's worth it. Thoughts? :scratch2:
 
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Another thing I'm noticing is the Acoustats are being over ridden by the KEF R103.2 Center and the TDL Sides because they are much more efficient. I am listening in Stereo Mode now to just the Stats and man are they sweet. I'll have to think about how I can balance them out against the Cone Drivers in loudness.

I see now why folks go all Stats in HT systems. Getting them to play nice with cone systems isn't easy I guess.

Oh well, I guess that is my beast to tame! :scratch2:
 
One last thing I thought about is I haven't done a calibration yet with the Audyssey on the AVR. I'll wait until these charge tomorrow and then run that. It should balance out the levels between the systems.

Man this has been eye opening for a Stat newbee... all I can say is thank you Frommer for pushing me in this direction! :thmbsp:
 
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