New Van Alstine Amp

[blackraven]

New Van Alstine tube amp in the works!

http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=72057.0

http://www.avguide.com/blog/the-greatest-bargain-the-rocky-mountain-audio-fest

here's a pic of some of Franks gear and Jim Salks speakers from the RMAF. Scroll down in the link below.

http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=72305.0

[atomicAdam]

thanks for the post blackraven -

I'm sure sad I missed the AVA and Salk gear at the Oregon meet up this weekend but I had friend who came back to town from Afghanistan. Speakers and amps will be around, fear might not be.

but the new little amp sure looks amazing. totally different then the black box style of his other gear. if i was only a millionaire...

[blackraven]

Yes AA, it sure is a departure from the bleak look of his equipment.

I'm thinking about selling my Parasound amp and buying his FET Valve Ultra Hybrid 500 wpc amp because of its fantastic bass and liquid airy sound. I'm not sure that any amp compares to it at its price point. Its nothing to look at but its ultimately the sound that counts.

[atomicAdam]

I don't know, a rack full of black boxes has it's own appeal.

500wpc - that could easily be enough to blow your roof off.

[Feanor]

New Van Alstine tube amp in the works!

http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=72057.0

http://www.avguide.com/blog/the-greatest-bargain-the-rocky-mountain-audio-fest

... (http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=72305.0)

Interesting; someday I'd love to try a tube amp, and FVA finally has his own tube amp. Of course, he's been know for decades for his Dynaco mods.

I'm a little disappointed by a couple of things. First the US$1700 tab is a little steep for me what with retirement looming. Second, I would rather have seen a fully enclose box rather than the weary toobs-on-top look.

A couple of different alternatives that I've noticed are these:

Audio Note L4 kit (http://www.audionotekits.com/l4el34pp.html), US$1525 but relatiely cheaper for me since it ships from Canada, and
Bob Latino's amp kits, notably his VTA120 (http://www.tubes4hifi.com/bob.htm)that would pump 60 watts from my Maggies -- this is much cheaper as a kit, $945, or assembed at $1245.

[poppachubby]

Interesting; someday I'd love to try a tube amp, and FVA finally has his own tube amp. Of course, he's been know for decades for his Dynaco mods.

I'm a little disappointed by a couple of things. First the US$1700 tab is a little steep for me what with retirement looming. Second, I would rather have seen a fully enclose box rather than the weary toobs-on-top look.

A couple of different alternatives that I've noticed are these:

Audio Note L4 kit (http://www.audionotekits.com/l4el34pp.html), US$1525 but relatiely cheaper for me since it ships from Canada, and
Bob Latino's amp kits, notably his VTA120 (http://www.tubes4hifi.com/bob.htm)that would pump 60 watts from my Maggies -- this is much cheaper as a kit, $945, or assembed at $1245.

Funny Bill, I absolutely love the look of exposed tubes, especially once they're nice and warm. It has a mad scientist/industrial flavour that I can never get enough of. Of course, storage and display are more of an issue but far worth any hassles in my book.

[blackraven]

One thing that you get with Van Alstine gear is unparalleled service. You have a 30 day no questions asked return policy as well as the ability to send equipment in for upgrades as they become available for very cheap prices (or Frank will mail you the parts to make the upgrades your self.) He will also fix or upgrade any equipment that has been discontinued. He always answers his phone and emails. In addition, you can go over to his house and audition equipment and see it being built as well. Frank will also help you decide what equipment to buy to compliment your system. He's a very honorable man.

[poppachubby]

One thing that you get with Van Alstine gear is unparalleled service. You have a 30 day no questions asked return policy as well as the ability to send equipment in for upgrades as they become available for very cheap prices (or Frank will mail you the parts to make the upgrades your self.) He will also fix or upgrade any equipment that has been discontinued. He always answers his phone and emails. In addition, you can go over to his house and audition equipment and see it being built as well. Frank will also help you decide what equipment to buy to compliment your system. He's a very honorable man.

So opposite of the "bottom line" approach of a cold and faceless corporation. There are a few high end audio co.'s that do their customers like that. But visiting his home while he builds? That's something worth paying for...

[blackraven]

PPC, I live 3 min. from his house. Franks got a finished basement with a little audio studio and work benches where trained electrical engineers (american) are working away putting together equipment as orders come in. This way, he keeps his overhead down allowing him to keep prices down. Each piece is made to order by hand. Frank encourages people to come by and audition equipment. You can even bring your own equipment to compare to. Frank will even throw your CDP on a scope and show your the square wave to show its distortion and how it compares to his DAC's. Frank let me take home several pieces of equipment to audition in my home.

However, if your looking for fancy bells, whistles and bling, then look elsewhere. His equipment is a lot of bang for the buck. High end audio at a very reasonable price.