used and new to me - OmegaStar 250EX amplifier.

[atomicAdam]

So my Golden Tube SE-40 popped again and i'm sick of having issues with it.

So I figured put that away for a while until I want to have fun paying a repair man to redesign and fix - so in the mean time wifie let me make a purchase.

I just ordered up the AVA 2004 OmegaStar 250EX amplifier.

I figure consistency in equipment might be a worthwhile investment. This will be paired with my AVA Omega III pre-amp.

Anyways I'll let you'll know how it sounds when I get some time with it.

[blackraven]

AA, you will love the synergy of the VA amp and pre. VA gear really does best when matched with each other.

Did you buy it direct from Frank? If you did, ask him about any upgrades that may be available to your existing VA gear. In many cases, Frank can upgrade older gear for a reasonable price.

[atomicAdam]

no - can't ask about upgrades at this time. already pushing it with a new amp. wife is being extremely giving on this issue.

at this time my upgrade path is pretty much -
rage p3 TT and new phono amp
PS Audio Power Plant
good cables

then i will look into upgrade in amp/pre/cdplayer/speaker.

[E-Stat]

So my Golden Tube SE-40 popped again and i'm sick of having issues with it.
Sorry to hear that. I've never had your recurring problems with ARC, VTL and Manley tube gear. Chinese tube gear has not demonstrated the same level of reliability as the better brands.

rw

[atomicAdam]

Sorry to hear that. I've never had your recurring problems with ARC, VTL and Manley tube gear. Chinese tube gear has not demonstrated the same level of reliability as the better brands.

rw


Thanks E-Stat - Unfortunately the Golden Tube is good old made in the USA. Just not well made...errr...designed.

I'm going to burning amp this saturday, maybe I'll ask around from advice from those who know how to make things. There might be another chance for me to fix it myself again.

[poppachubby]

no - can't ask about upgrades at this time. already pushing it with a new amp. wife is being extremely giving on this issue.

at this time my upgrade path is pretty much -
rage p3 TT and new phono amp
PS Audio Power Plant
good cables

then i will look into upgrade in amp/pre/cdplayer/speaker.


Adam, not all tables require caulking, but I'm pretty sure that Rage's use a special type that has gold and diamond flakes in it. Check www.caulking-in-your-TT.com for more info.

Anyhow, congrats on the upgrade but more importantly on convincing your wife. The AVA will be top shelf, unmatched quality. Awful topic but I wonder what will happen once the old boy is gone? Must be someone to take the reigns.

I guess now would be a good time to ask for your Golden Tube. I'll take it off your hands...

[atomicAdam]

Adam, not all tables require caulking, but I'm pretty sure that Rega's use a special type that has gold and diamond flakes in it. Check www.caulking-in-your-TT.com for more info.

Anyhow, congrats on the upgrade but more importantly on convincing your wife. The AVA will be top shelf, unmatched quality. Awful topic but I wonder what will happen once the old boy is gone? Must be someone to take the reigns.

I guess now would be a good time to ask for your Golden Tube. I'll take it off your hands...

I'll make sure to double check with that site before I caulk the platter on the Rage. Thanks for the link!

Wife actually had the CC and a note left out for me this morning. "You can buy 1 think for under $1200". I truly didn't want to buy anything. Have to still pay off CC and then it is on to braces for her. But she is a wonderful lady.

On that awful topic, I couldn't help think something similar. Though more in line with my step-fathers age. And sadly he is starting to fall apart.

You really want the Golden Tube? It has issues. You'll need to fix some stuff. I'm not sure I'm really to part with it. It does have a nice sound when working correctly. You know I think I'm going to have to check on www.caulk-in-a-tube-amp.com to see if there is a way to fix it.

[E-Stat]

Thanks E-Stat - Unfortunately the Golden Tube is good old made in the USA. Just not well made...errr...designed.
Really. Apparently, some reviewers were confused about their origin. Chinese tubes (http://www.affordableaudio.org/ASL-MG-SI-15-DT.pdf)

rw

[JohnMichael]

Thanks E-Stat - Unfortunately the Golden Tube is good old made in the USA. Just not well made...errr...designed.

I'm going to burning amp this saturday, maybe I'll ask around from advice from those who know how to make things. There might be another chance for me to fix it myself again.



You might want to pack it up and take it with you. Someone there might be of help.

[blackraven]

Concerning Frank VA's age and what will happen to AVA, I suspect the company will go to one of his designers. I met one of his engineers several times when I was over at his house on multiple occassions.

[poppachubby]

I'll make sure to double check with that site before I caulk the platter on the Rage. Thanks for the link!

Wife actually had the CC and a note left out for me this morning. "You can buy 1 think for under $1200". I truly didn't want to buy anything. Have to still pay off CC and then it is on to braces for her. But she is a wonderful lady.

On that awful topic, I couldn't help think something similar. Though more in line with my step-fathers age. And sadly he is starting to fall apart.

You really want the Golden Tube? It has issues. You'll need to fix some stuff. I'm not sure I'm really to part with it. It does have a nice sound when working correctly. You know I think I'm going to have to check on www.caulk-in-a-tube-amp.com to see if there is a way to fix it.


Thought I could capitalize on your frustration. Checked out caulk-in-a-tube-amp today, really great stuff on there. I think I'm ready to try...

[atomicAdam]

Really. Apparently, some reviewers were confused about their origin. Chinese tubes (http://www.affordableaudio.org/ASL-MG-SI-15-DT.pdf)

rw

I'm not sure what to say. The golden tube se-40 i have in my room looks like this (http://www.soniccraft.com/upgrades/se40.htm). And it says made in the USA.

Granted I wasn't there when it was made, shipped, and designed. So the Made in the USA could be a manufacturer lie. I could be wrong. I'm not really interested in arguing but I am interested in finding out who is right. Lets do more research.

[atomicAdam]

Thought I could capitalize on your frustration. Checked out caulk-in-a-tube-amp today, really great stuff on there. I think I'm ready to try...


You think you could give some of them a test run for me, including photos, video, and sound recordings?

[poppachubby]

You think you could give some of them a test run for me, including photos, video, and sound recordings?

Hehehe....hey man, what's wrong with your Asian American Golden Tube Anyhow? Certainly there is value in a solid repair, no? I love that thing and I think you have it displayed ideally in your pad. I think John is right, pack it up and take it and hopefully someone takes an interest and helps you out. If you want to let it go down the road, let me know...

[E-Stat]

I'm not sure what to say. The golden tube se-40 i have in my room looks like this (http://www.soniccraft.com/upgrades/se40.htm). And it says made in the USA.
The answer is found on the website. They are not Golden Tube Audio, the original designer of the product long ago. The review is of the original product. As Sonic Craft (located not terribly far from me), they "re-engineered" the product. In any event, it would seem they did not succeed particularly well.

rw

[atomicAdam]

The answer is found on the website. They are not Golden Tube Audio, the original designer of the product long ago. The review is of the original product. As Sonic Craft (located not terribly far from me), they "re-engineered" the product. In any event, it would seem they did not succeed particularly well.

rw


yes - just got off the phone with sonic craft who has me calling another number. fun....

so far not thrilled

-adam

[atomicAdam]

The answer is found on the website. They are not Golden Tube Audio, the original designer of the product long ago. The review is of the original product. As Sonic Craft (located not terribly far from me), they "re-engineered" the product. In any event, it would seem they did not succeed particularly well.

rw


Hey - how far are they located from you? SonicCraft that is. I've sent them two emails and called - they have this posted - http://www.soniccraft.com/upgrades/se40.htm - but aren't really responding. You have any inside info or contacts?

Thanks
-aA

[poppachubby]

You want fast and friendly service with a smile? Have E-Stat stand in the parking lot with dynamite strapped onto himself. Start your next call with..."Look in the parking lot motherF@#$er...". I can almost guarantee a prompt response.

[atomicAdam]

oh man - straight to the point!

well i like e-stat so no really no need to take it that far!

[harley .guy07]

I really love your energy about this Poppa. And great thought. To bad it wouls be a short lived show of CSI if it went bad but damn good thinkin. Its all about the audio man.

[poppachubby]

Ya, I guess it's a little too "20 years to life-ish"...

[E-Stat]

Hey - how far are they located from you? SonicCraft that is. I've sent them two emails and called - they have this posted - http://www.soniccraft.com/upgrades/se40.htm - but aren't really responding. You have any inside info or contacts?
Sorry, I only learned of them through your post. They're about 100 miles to the south of me.

rw

[atomicAdam]

on phone with them now - awesome guy - called he called

[atomicAdam]

sweet - getting the ball rolling. good long conversation as well.

[atomicAdam]

Got some goods in the mail today. I'm amped to go home and listen - but i've got to work - and then climbing tonight in SF. No mofo's better break into my car with his sucker in it.

http://gallery.audioreview.com/data/audio//500/medium/AVA-omegastar250EX.jpg

[atomicAdam]

it sounds good, very good, seriously, better then the SE-40 I think.

[blackraven]

AA, glad to hear you like the VA amp. His gear has a very nice sound. All his solid state amps and pre amps tend to sound tubey rather than SS.
I'm looking forward to a more detailed review.

[atomicAdam]

dang you mean 'it sounds good' isn't going to cut it for a review?!?! Well alright, let me spend some real time with it first.

[atomicAdam]

Well I've not had as much time as I'd like with the OmegaStar 250EX at this point but with the little time I've had, I am so far very happy.

So far what I've noticed most is the level of detail and pretty fantastic balance. Detail wise what I've noticed most is the clear separation of sounds. On the Cure's Wish, typically a noise albums with a lot going on, I was able to pick out more specifics instruments and noises. I played it last night at a low volume and was happy to still hear low bass notes, and punch in the kick and snare drums.

The other day I listened to most of Sufjan Stevens' Illinoise, another complicated album, and again was very happy hear a clean separation of instruments and detail in the bass. Although, I thought maybe there needed to be more punch in the bass at certain parts. But this could just be because that is what I heard on the SE-40 and the Onkyo-M282 (which I know pumps up the bass and muddies it all up terribly).

Funny enough about that Sufjan Stevens album, I played some song on a $120,000.00+ system this past Friday and it didn't sound that good. This says something, but I'm not sure what at this point. Either my system, the speakers I would guess, are tailored to make bad recordings sound good, as in not neutral, or maybe I wasn't fully used the other system, or it wasn't warmed up, or something else.

Anyways, so far very happy with the OmegaStar 250EX for being balanced and clear.

I suppose next up will be some Aphex Twin, Massive Attack, and then back to jazz.

Oh, and the amp is pretty dang warm sounding for sure.

More listening to come later this week I hope.

[poppachubby]

Well I've not had as much time as I'd like with the OmegaStar 250EX at this point but with the little time I've had, I am so far very happy.

So far what I've noticed most is the level of detail and pretty fantastic balance. Detail wise what I've noticed most is the clear separation of sounds. On the Cure's Wish, typically a noise albums with a lot going on, I was able to pick out more specifics instruments and noises. I played it last night at a low volume and was happy to still hear low bass notes, and punch in the kick and snare drums.

The other day I listened to most of Sufjan Stevens' Illinoise, another complicated album, and again was very happy hear a clean separation of instruments and detail in the bass. Although, I thought maybe there needed to be more punch in the bass at certain parts. But this could just be because that is what I heard on the SE-40 and the Onkyo-M282 (which I know pumps up the bass and muddies it all up terribly).

Funny enough about that Sufjan Stevens album, I played some song on a $120,000.00+ system this past Friday and it didn't sound that good. This says something, but I'm not sure what at this point. Either my system, the speakers I would guess, are tailored to make bad recordings sound good, as in not neutral, or maybe I wasn't fully used the other system, or it wasn't warmed up, or something else.

Anyways, so far very happy with the OmegaStar 250EX for being balanced and clear.

I suppose next up will be some Aphex Twin, Massive Attack, and then back to jazz.

Oh, and the amp is pretty dang warm sounding for sure.

More listening to come later this week I hope.

Anything that makes you want to re-visit your albums is good. When you find a new level of enjoyment, it's a keeper. Sounds like your having fun.

[blackraven]

Glad to hear you like the Van Alstine gear! The stuff is not pretty but it is high end audio at a reasonable price with out the bling. You should hear his tube and hybrid DAC and preamps. They present great air and detail.