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Post by stevew on Nov 28, 2022 10:41:06 GMT
Unless my Apart Champ 1 proves to be a hidden jem (it’s not bad actually) and whilst funds allow, I’m minded to get a new amp to power Ektas when they arrive.
I’m told they need a bit of oomph behind them.
Now demands on money are many fold.. so I could easily go for a basic Nord Acoustics or am I just as well hanging on, saving for a bit, and trying not to blow money to fund a 686 later on?
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Post by jandl100 on Nov 28, 2022 10:56:14 GMT
If you want to save some money and get an upgrade on the Apart Champ 1,then do an ebay search for Phonic Max500.
You might be surprised. I was.
XLR and Jack inputs only.
I've got 3.
1 permanently in my 2nd system, 1 as a long term occasional participant in my main system, and 1 spare.
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Arke
Moderator
Posts: 1,269
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Post by Arke on Nov 28, 2022 11:50:16 GMT
What are the approx. Prices of 686 vs Nord Steve?
As you know, the Ektas sound pretty special with a 686. Honestly, don't kbow how the Nord would do, but I hear they are very capable.
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Post by stevew on Nov 28, 2022 11:50:42 GMT
Well.. they certainly look interesting. Plus I know that you’ve had the apart champ 1 in your system, so great to know improvements can be obtained from someone who knows.
However.. and perhaps I should rephrase the question.
I’m not really looking to save money. I’m tempted by what I know and have heard the 686 can do with the Ektas.
However I’ve got £1500 burning a hole in my pocket and I suppose the question is will a Nord at that price point be anywhere near the Neurochrome?
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Arke
Moderator
Posts: 1,269
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Post by Arke on Nov 28, 2022 11:59:35 GMT
Well.. they certainly look interesting. Plus I know that you’ve had the apart champ 1 in your system, so great to know improvements can be obtained from someone who knows. However.. and perhaps I should rephrase the question. I’m not really looking to save money. I’m tempted by what I know and have heard the 686 can do with the Ektas. However I’ve got £1500 burning a hole in my pocket and I suppose the question is will a Nord at that price point be anywhere near the Neurochrome? I'm confused Steve... I've not had that Apart Champ in my system... Unless someone snuck it in when I was away! |
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Post by stevew on Nov 28, 2022 12:22:58 GMT
What are the approx. Prices of 686 vs Nord Steve? As you know, the Ektas sound pretty special with a 686. Honestly, don't kbow how the Nord would do, but I hear they are very capable. Bit of crossover posting there. So there is a 686 on the bay built by Joe |
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Post by stevew on Nov 28, 2022 12:23:35 GMT
Well.. they certainly look interesting. Plus I know that you’ve had the apart champ 1 in your system, so great to know improvements can be obtained from someone who knows. However.. and perhaps I should rephrase the question. I’m not really looking to save money. I’m tempted by what I know and have heard the 686 can do with the Ektas. However I’ve got £1500 burning a hole in my pocket and I suppose the question is will a Nord at that price point be anywhere near the Neurochrome? I'm confused Steve... I've not had that Apart Champ in my system... Unless someone snuck it in when I was away! Jerry did. |
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Post by pete on Nov 28, 2022 13:02:52 GMT
I don't know the Nord, but I know how good the 686 is
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Post by firebottle on Nov 28, 2022 13:03:49 GMT
Interesting as I am just comparing my 286 with a quality class D.
The amp in question is a Newprime AMG-STA, it is a very good performer.
The owner found it 2nd hand at a price rather below you budget.
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Post by lurch on Nov 28, 2022 13:20:42 GMT
Well.. they certainly look interesting. Plus I know that you’ve had the apart champ 1 in your system, so great to know improvements can be obtained from someone who knows. However.. and perhaps I should rephrase the question. I’m not really looking to save money. I’m tempted by what I know and have heard the 686 can do with the Ektas. However I’ve got £1500 burning a hole in my pocket and I suppose the question is will a Nord at that price point be anywhere near the Neurochrome? No need to spunk £1500 on Nord as there's these on PFM now at £749. pinkfishmedia.net/forum/threads/nord-nc500mb-amps-%C2%A3795.272796/Exactly the same as mine and as far as 686 Vs Nord there's not really anything in it, they're both superb amps with slightly different seasoning. There's another thread on here about 286 or 686 where near the end myself and edward briefly discuss the different flavours when he brought his 686 to my BO in August and we put it in my #1 system. |
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Post by hifinutt on Nov 28, 2022 14:05:21 GMT
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Post by stevew on Nov 28, 2022 14:20:27 GMT
Yes.. all in the mix! Trouble is.. I’ve heard what the 686 does! |
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Post by mikeyb on Nov 28, 2022 14:46:58 GMT
Yes.. all in the mix! Trouble is.. I’ve heard what the 686 does! Buy once - buy right  |
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Post by stevew on Nov 28, 2022 15:11:11 GMT
Well.. they certainly look interesting. Plus I know that you’ve had the apart champ 1 in your system, so great to know improvements can be obtained from someone who knows. However.. and perhaps I should rephrase the question. I’m not really looking to save money. I’m tempted by what I know and have heard the 686 can do with the Ektas. However I’ve got £1500 burning a hole in my pocket and I suppose the question is will a Nord at that price point be anywhere near the Neurochrome? No need to spunk £1500 on Nord as there's these on PFM now at £749. pinkfishmedia.net/forum/threads/nord-nc500mb-amps-%C2%A3795.272796/Exactly the same as mine and as far as 686 Vs Nord there's not really anything in it, they're both superb amps with slightly different seasoning. There's another thread on here about 286 or 686 where near the end myself and edward briefly discuss the different flavours when he brought his 686 to my BO in August and we put it in my #1 system. Tempting.. |
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Arke
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Posts: 1,269
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Post by Arke on Nov 28, 2022 15:16:32 GMT
I'll be following with interest Steve... The Vaders will 'need' a power amp for the 2 x mid/bass and tweeter. 500W class D will do the heavy lifting on the 12" bass below 100Hz. My current power amp is perfectly adequate, but I've heard a 686 too!
I'll be demoing the Vaders with various options beforing committing to anything. They won't be a difficult load, so many options will be possible...
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Post by pete on Nov 28, 2022 16:05:26 GMT
What are the approx. Prices of 686 vs Nord Steve? As you know, the Ektas sound pretty special with a 686. Honestly, don't kbow how the Nord would do, but I hear they are very capable. Bit of crossover posting there. So there is a 686 on the bay built by Joe I'm wondering if the spec of Joe's build is up to the level of the 686s you are comparing it with. Sorry to add something else to the mix! |
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Post by stevew on Nov 28, 2022 16:11:51 GMT
Bit of crossover posting there. So there is a 686 on the bay built by Joe I'm wondering if the spec of Joe's build is up to the level of the 686s you are comparing it with. Sorry to add something else to the mix! Oh? Really? Well .. it’s a bit academic right now as they are priced at £2400 nearly. |
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Post by pete on Nov 28, 2022 16:31:39 GMT
I'm wondering if the spec of Joe's build is up to the level of the 686s you are comparing it with. Sorry to add something else to the mix! Oh? Really? Well .. it’s a bit academic right now as they are priced at £2400 nearly. When I was looking to buy a 686 I shared a few emails with Bigman80, who was really helpful as always. He highlighted some really great aspects of his build and some elements of Joe's build that could be made even better. As it turned out I ended up just buying Oliver's!! |
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Post by alit on Nov 28, 2022 16:40:36 GMT
What aspects differ from Joe’s builds?
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Bigman80
Grandmaster
The HiFi Bear/Audioaddicts/Bigbottle Owner
Posts: 16,430
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Post by Bigman80 on Nov 28, 2022 16:46:00 GMT
Bit of crossover posting there. So there is a 686 on the bay built by Joe I'm wondering if the spec of Joe's build is up to the level of the 686s you are comparing it with. Sorry to add something else to the mix! There isn't anything intrinsically wrong with Joe's builds, it's just that there are things that I would do differently, and have done differently on the advice of Phonomac. Who, I must add, is infinitely more knowledgeable about such things. If i were to be asked what I think, I will happily share that with you. |
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Bigman80
Grandmaster
The HiFi Bear/Audioaddicts/Bigbottle Owner
Posts: 16,430
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Post by Bigman80 on Nov 28, 2022 16:49:10 GMT
What aspects differ from Joe’s builds? We use a different power supply, it's not just a different brand etc, it's a different design altogether, which is bespoke for all the smaller Avalon devices, just a lot bigger lol. We use O-CORE Transformers, PC-TRIPLE C wiring, WBT sockets, CMC pure copper Binding posts and specific Caps for the PSU. |
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Post by antonio on Nov 28, 2022 17:50:28 GMT
Well.. they certainly look interesting. Plus I know that you’ve had the apart champ 1 in your system, so great to know improvements can be obtained from someone who knows. However.. and perhaps I should rephrase the question. I’m not really looking to save money. I’m tempted by what I know and have heard the 686 can do with the Ektas. However I’ve got £1500 burning a hole in my pocket and I suppose the question is will a Nord at that price point be anywhere near the Neurochrome? No need to spunk £1500 on Nord as there's these on PFM now at £749. pinkfishmedia.net/forum/threads/nord-nc500mb-amps-%C2%A3795.272796/Exactly the same as mine and as far as 686 Vs Nord there's not really anything in it, they're both superb amps with slightly different seasoning. There's another thread on here about 286 or 686 where near the end myself and edward briefly discuss the different flavours when he brought his 686 to my BO in August and we put it in my #1 system. I see you have sent a pm, don't blame you, if you weren't keen, you wouldn't lose anything when re-selling. |
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Post by mikeyb on Nov 28, 2022 17:54:56 GMT
No need to spunk £1500 on Nord as there's these on PFM now at £749. pinkfishmedia.net/forum/threads/nord-nc500mb-amps-%C2%A3795.272796/Exactly the same as mine and as far as 686 Vs Nord there's not really anything in it, they're both superb amps with slightly different seasoning. There's another thread on here about 286 or 686 where near the end myself and edward briefly discuss the different flavours when he brought his 686 to my BO in August and we put it in my #1 system. I see you have sent a pm, don't blame you, if you weren't keen, you wouldn't lose anything when re-selling. I sent one just before Steve's 😉 😂 |
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Post by stevew on Nov 28, 2022 17:57:24 GMT
Right.. that me sorted via Pink Fish
Many thanks all
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Post by mikeyb on Nov 28, 2022 18:06:42 GMT
Right.. that me sorted via Pink Fish Many thanks all I was gazumped 😂 |
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Post by lurch on Nov 28, 2022 18:16:52 GMT
Right.. that me sorted via Pink Fish Many thanks all I was gazumped 😂 You snooze, you lose. |
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Post by mikeyb on Nov 28, 2022 18:19:22 GMT
I was only trying to pull Steves leg |
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Post by stevew on Nov 28, 2022 18:36:35 GMT
My Nigerian friend is helping me finance it all.
No worries
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Post by hifinutt on Nov 28, 2022 18:56:37 GMT
my joe henry f5 are still working 100% and sound marvellous with tannoy eatons legacy
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Post by sq225917 on Nov 28, 2022 20:02:34 GMT
Class d for woofers, neurochromes for the rest...
Done various vladd d, ncore, purifi ice power vs 286 and bridged 86p. All the class d are noticeably dryer in the bass but also less natural sounding up top. The purifi was the best, ice power the worst.
Incidently the Benchmark amp seemed like middle ground...
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