Van Alstine anyone?

[blackraven]

I'm thinking about buying a Van alstine tube amp and pre amp. Does any one have any experience with them? They are made here in my town of woodbury.

[E-Stat]

I'm thinking about buying a Van alstine tube amp and pre amp. Does any one have any experience with them? They are made here in my town of woodbury.
Oh yah, Frank is quite the character. Had his modified PAT-5 back in the 70s. He does good work with the current hybrids and Dyna rebuilds.

rw

[Feanor]

I'm thinking about buying a Van alstine tube amp and pre amp. Does any one have any experience with them? They are made here in my town of woodbury.

I've never owned AVA equipment, but it is well-loved by users despite tepid reviews over the years. Frank Van Alstine gained his rep many years ago upgrading Dynaco and Hafler components, something he still does. Check out the website, http://www.avahifi.com/. Also check out the AVA forum (http://www.audiocircle.com/circles/index.php?board=48.0) at AudioCircles.

Van Alstine is well-know for his tube and tube hybrid preamps, and hybrid, tube/MOSFET amplifiers. If looking for new equipment I might check out Frank's tube and hybrid preamps, but overall I'd prefer a used ARC, BAT, or CJ -- on Sonic Frontiers like I own. For a power amp, I would be much more inclined to go for a Monarchy hybrid.

[oaqm]

See my review of the AVA 550 Ultra on this site.

As some who DOES own AVA equipment, I can assure you that if a used ARC, BAT, or CJ -- oR Sonic Frontiers were a better bang for the buck, that's the way I would have gone.

If you live in Woodbury, call this number: 651-330-9871

Odds are that Mr. Van A will answer the phone himself.

[bobsticks]

... but overall I'd prefer a used ARC, BAT, or CJ -- on Sonic Frontiers like I own. For a power amp, I would be much more inclined to go for a Monarchy hybrid.

Hey Feanor,

What properties about an ARC,BAT, or CJ would you prefer? I've never heard a Van Alstine piece but it would be an economic way to experiment with tubes.

[Feanor]

Hey Feanor,

What properties about an ARC,BAT, or CJ would you prefer? I've never heard a Van Alstine piece but it would be an economic way to experiment with tubes.

b/s and oaqm, don't get me wrong: I' not knocking AVA, only saying that there are other options.

I rarely see an AVA preamp up for sale on Audiogon, eBay, etc.. I guess that means that owners really love and want to keep them, eh? The other mentioned brands come up for sale much more often. The Ultra EC (http://www.avahifi.com/root/equipment/preamplifier/ultra_ec.htm) got a very fine review in TAS a year or two ago, and is worth considering. But bear in mind that a new EC is $2100 with a rudimentary remote control (and no phono). When I was considering a tube preamp, I hoped to find one with a full-function remote control and balanced outputs -- I also hoped to spend under a grand: this makes for a narrow set of choices. However I was able to get a Sonic Frontiers LINE 1, (see below), for $900 which is a bit of a bargin compared to a new Ulta EC. Various ARC, BAT, and CJ models are available used, in the $1200 - $1800 range thereby undercutting a new Ultra EC.

On the other hand I grant you can get a new Transcendent Eight (http://www.avahifi.com/root/equipment/preamplifier/Transcendence_Eight_Vacuum_Tube_Preamplifier.htm) with remote for $1400 which sounds like a pretty good deal.

http://ca.geocities.com/w_d_bailey/SonicFrontiersLINE1wRC.jpg

[oaqm]

..... despite tepid reviews over the years.



I' not knocking AVA

No, of course not.

[blackraven]

I am looking at AVA as an inexpensive way to get into tubes. I may just go with one of his pre-amps. Although his tube amps are a lot of bang for the buck and are high wattage. 160wpc at 8ohms for $1800 for a tube amp is an unbelievable buy. It could be a great match for my 1.6's.

[daviethek]

Go to Audio Circles and post on the AVA board there. You will find lots of Minnesotans who have AVA gear with Maggies. His return policy is generous and the build quality is extremely good. Other than that I can't comment becaue I have AVA solid state gear, which I am very pleased with. .