AVS › AVS Forum › Display Devices › Ultra Hi-End HT Gear ($20,000+) › Alternatives to Casablanca III
New Posts  All Forums:Forum Nav:

Alternatives to Casablanca III - Page 8

post #211 of 234
11/11/12 at 9:16am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Bulldogger View Post

How is the front to back soundstage, depth? I have not tried those. My past experience with Class D is that is where they usually stumble. "At first glance," you'll miss that. I want to move to digital amps as I am tired of moving those heavy analog amps around. I'm actually thinking about building some of the Hypex N-Core amps to use as surround amps. I am interested in the Prometheus but 250 watts is about half of what I run on my front channels.

I have been using Bel Canto class D's for my surround with great succes. I hide them behind my main rack, saving lots of space. Before getting an active center, I used to have a Bel Canto monoblock for my center . Additional benefit is there is a vibrant used market for these. When my class A mono's were out for repair I bought a pair of the Ref 1000 MKII for my mains and resold them with zero loss no problem.

PS audio will be releasing a quite affordable Hypex N-Core based poweramp shortly.
Reply
Reply

AVS Top Picks

post #212 of 234
11/11/12 at 10:16am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Bulldogger View Post

How is the front to back soundstage, depth? I have not tried those. My past experience with Class D is that is where they usually stumble. "At first glance," you'll miss that. I want to move to digital amps as I am tired of moving those heavy analog amps around. I'm actually thinking about building some of the Hypex N-Core amps to use as surround amps. I am interested in the Prometheus but 250 watts is about half of what I run on my front channels.

Surprisingly, the front to back soundstage depth is rediculously good. I want to say it is actually better than the Intrepid. Separation is definitely better probably by nature of using actual monoblocks. Detail and nuance is on par with the Intrepid and localization of individual instruments is slightly better. I've done quite a bit of listening so far. Absolutely no stumbling, fumbling, coldness, flatness or other anomalies associated with class D design. I have to say I'm a Dusty believer now. You'd swear this was a traditional A or AB audiophile-quality amp by listening to it. The totally hilarious part is I could actually juggle both of these two D200 amps- that is how small / light they are.

Frankly I was not ready to be that impressed, I had low expectations given the cost, and I figured they would end up in my office sound system. The office room is very ultra-modern and I wanted to sink the two monoblocks into wall cubbys below the inwall main speakers. But I think I'm going to leave them in the main theater system and see how they continue to do after they break in. These amps only have about 100 hours on them tops. Of course they will eventually be replaced with Theta monoblocks. Note these are the D200 MKI versions and not the newer D200 MKII's,I can only imagine how good those sound after hearing the MKI's.
Reply
Reply
post #213 of 234
11/12/12 at 3:22pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by k_lewis View Post

Surprisingly, the front to back soundstage depth is rediculously good. I want to say it is actually better than the Intrepid. Separation is definitely better probably by nature of using actual monoblocks. Detail and nuance is on par with the Intrepid and localization of individual instruments is slightly better. I've done quite a bit of listening so far. Absolutely no stumbling, fumbling, coldness, flatness or other anomalies associated with class D design. I have to say I'm a Dusty believer now. You'd swear this was a traditional A or AB audiophile-quality amp by listening to it. The totally hilarious part is I could actually juggle both of these two D200 amps- that is how small / light they are.
Frankly I was not ready to be that impressed, I had low expectations given the cost, and I figured they would end up in my office sound system. The office room is very ultra-modern and I wanted to sink the two monoblocks into wall cubbys below the inwall main speakers. But I think I'm going to leave them in the main theater system and see how they continue to do after they break in. These amps only have about 100 hours on them tops. Of course they will eventually be replaced with Theta monoblocks. Note these are the D200 MKI versions and not the newer D200 MKII's,I can only imagine how good those sound after hearing the MKI's.
There's a post on a N-core forum, where a CI owner, states how much more he likes the N-core. You may want to consider them. There are a couple of people that will build them for you very cheaply if you order the modules.They are also doing bridged monoblocks to double the power. Theta has some advantages over the DIY route with the input stage being custom for example. So far, the subjective assessments have been that commercial products seems to outperform the DIY modules. I plan to hear what Theta does with the Prometheus.

You may want to see what Theta offers at CES. I am told that have some new stuff in the works besides the Casablanca upgrade. As for the upgrade, I don't think Theta does a good job of explaining the massive amount of work that is being done. It's not just Dirac live. Everyone wants Dirac Live but an upgrade of this scale would take some time, even if they were not implementing Dirac. The upgrade part excluding Dirac live is territory where many said Theta could not or would not invest the resources to go.They are moving to entirely new DSP. The rework is so extensive from what I can tell that by now, I think it's time to move to a Mark V version of the Casablanca. The finished product is going to bare little resemblance to a Casablanca III. Calling it a Casablanca III HD at that point will belie the massive changes from a Casablanca III.

Remember Theta is a moving target. Be prepared to do another comparison when they release the new dacs. IF the "rumor," I was told is true, the new dacs will be a new reference for a surround processor. It's a matter of how long you are willing to wait and how much cash you are willing to invest. Integra has always been a great value. I believe CES will be exciting especially for Theta owners this year and maybe some others looking for new products and different price points.
Reply
Reply
post #214 of 234
11/12/12 at 4:29pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Bulldogger View Post

There's a post on a N-core forum, where a CI owner, states how much more he likes the N-core. You may want to consider them. There are a couple of people that will build them for you very cheaply if you order the modules.They are also doing bridged monoblocks to double the power. Theta has some advantages over the DIY route with the input stage being custom for example. So far, the subjective assessments have been that commercial products seems to outperform the DIY modules. I plan to hear what Theta does with the Prometheus.
You may want to see what Theta offers at CES. I am told that have some new stuff in the works besides the Casablanca upgrade. As for the upgrade, I don't think Theta does a good job of explaining the massive amount of work that is being done. It's not just Dirac live. Everyone wants Dirac Live but an upgrade of this scale would take some time, even if they were not implementing Dirac. The upgrade part excluding Dirac live is territory where many said Theta could not or would not invest the resources to go.They are moving to entirely new DSP. The rework is so extensive from what I can tell that by now, I think it's time to move to a Mark V version of the Casablanca. The finished product is going to bare little resemblance to a Casablanca III. Calling it a Casablanca III HD at that point will belie the massive changes from a Casablanca III.
Remember Theta is a moving target. Be prepared to do another comparison when they release the new dacs. IF the "rumor," I was told is true, the new dacs will be a new reference for a surround processor. It's a matter of how long you are willing to wait and how much cash you are willing to invest. Integra has always been a great value. I believe CES will be exciting especially for Theta owners this year and maybe some others looking for new products and different price points.

The N-Core forum info has been around for some time. Dig deeper. CI and Dusty had a custom version of components developed for their amps. Here is a bit of info:
Quote:
(ref http://www.tonepublications.com/review/channel-islands-d500-mkii-monoblocks/) "...the CI amplifiers utilize a custom, full-bridge module that is not available to the DIY community along with some of their own circuitry. CI owner Dusty Vawter stated that they only use the UcD modulator and Class D output section of the module. The rest is customized in house. “You need to do some serious R&D to get great sound, you can’t just stick an ICE module in a box.”

In short, you are not going to buy a stock module (ncore, hypex or otherwise) and expect to get the same quality of sound. I have no idea why I would contact someone I don't know in some forum who has unknown skills to build an unknown amp for me. Not to sound harsh BD, because I typically enjoy your posts, but this suggestion is kinda coo-coo - particularly for this specific thread.

Theta info is old news. Anyone who has taken the time to earnestly enquire with Theta has been (summarily) told of the changes / efforts required to make Dirac a realization.
Reply
Reply
post #215 of 234
11/15/12 at 7:39am
Quote:
Originally Posted by k_lewis View Post

The N-Core forum info has been around for some time. Dig deeper. CI and Dusty had a custom version of components developed for their amps. Here is a bit of info:
In short, you are not going to buy a stock module (ncore, hypex or otherwise) and expect to get the same quality of sound. I have no idea why I would contact someone I don't know in some forum who has unknown skills to build an unknown amp for me. Not to sound harsh BD, because I typically enjoy your posts, but this suggestion is kinda coo-coo - particularly for this specific thread.
Theta info is old news. Anyone who has taken the time to earnestly enquire with Theta has been (summarily) told of the changes / efforts required to make Dirac a realization.
That's not the same modules. The CI stuff is old modules. To my knowledge CI is not building a N-core Module. The only N-core modules for commercial use are the same ones that Theta is using and that's out of CI's, "weight class." NO CI amps have ever been built with N-core moduels and they are new technology. No, there are many reputable companies, more so than the guy you were discussing having do mods that will build these amps.That guy and what he sell now that is coo coo. I've investigate him and contacted him before. I would not even consider him. Pure snake oil.

You were selling some sort of device I believe for remote control of the Casablanca and offering it on this forum. So I did not feel that, as your work is completely unknown, this would be that far fetched. I for example would not have suggested it to others who have never had DIY devices for sale. I was wondering if it was not the source of your problems with RS232 control. I believe your device converts RS232 to IR or something? No I'm not coo coo and was very aware to whom I was responding.
Edited by Bulldogger - 11/15/12 at 8:47am
Reply
Reply
post #216 of 234
11/15/12 at 7:44am
Quote:
Originally Posted by k_lewis View Post

l. The only thing that got me thinking, was actually listening AB to the 80.3 vs a CBIIIHD. I could see how a (properly) modded 80.3 could achieve better results, but of course that is the analytical / engineering brain in me talking. There is some merit to proper shielding as well, but all by itself without actual component mods? Questionable. But, it is a relatively low risk to try it (curiosity)- most it will cost me is the price of shipping it back.
.
What dacs was the dealer using? New or old Digi out card? I don't like that there is no distinction between the different configurations of the Casablanca. A guy running Xtreme dacs and the new Digi out card is likely having a different experience, if the three guys that I know and post here reports are trusted, than say older Superior 1 cards and the old Digi out card.
Edited by Bulldogger - 11/15/12 at 8:46am
Reply
Reply
post #217 of 234
11/15/12 at 11:13am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Bulldogger View Post

That's not the same modules. The CI stuff is old modules. To my knowledge CI is not building a N-core Module. The only N-core modules for commercial use are the same ones that Theta is using and that's out of CI's, "weight class." NO CI amps have ever been built with N-core moduels and they are new technology. No, there are many reputable companies, more so than the guy you were discussing having do mods that will build these amps.That guy and what he sell now that is coo coo. I've investigate him and contacted him before. I would not even consider him. Pure snake oil.
You were selling some sort of device I believe for remote control of the Casablanca and offering it on this forum. So I did not feel that, as your work is completely unknown, this would be that far fetched. I for example would not have suggested it to others who have never had DIY devices for sale. I was wondering if it was not the source of your problems with RS232 control. I believe your device converts RS232 to IR or something? No I'm not coo coo and was very aware to whom I was responding.

What on earth are you going on about? I don't even understand the first part of your post. what guy? snake oil? some guy doing mods? who? You lost me... Basic info on the CI amps is in the above thread I posted. I did not see mention of anything about CI building complete Ncore modules. Read the post, google and do your homework. Contact CI if you need exact info. Did you not actually read?? "Unlike other designs the CI amplifiers utilize a custom, full-bridge module that is not available to the DIY community along with some of their own circuitry."


RS232- really?? I don't see how this relates or why you brought it up- an audiophile quality amplifier is a much more critical, subjective and involved device than a simple IR<>RS232 box. There is no such thing as an audiophile RS232 box with concerns about depth, stage and transparency vs a "non audiophile" version. wink.gif

Anyway, to flog a dead horse, back when I had some free time I was contemplating making a ready-to-go industry standard IR to RS232 box which would help those without a Crestron system (or a programming degree) gain RS232 discrete control of the CBIII functions using any standard IR / RF remote system. Maybe I could sell it for a few hundred bucks if it panned out, essentially covering my T&M. The base hardware unit cost $200 by itself.. I eventually determined it was not worth my time and now if anyone asks me about it, I will simply send them all the info needed to make their own. This custom box (or any other industry-standard IR to RS232 device like a Xantech, GlobalCache, etc) works fine with the CBI, CBII and CBIII. These devices do not work fine with the CBIIIHD due to interaction of the added HDMI circuitry, and so far only Crestron has reliably worked around this by introducing a timing parameter to the individual hex bits as they are sent (something like that, don't quote me). This is info from Theta, they are aware of the issue, and I have already explained this in previous posts. Theta will probably have it fixed eventually. If you want more info on this, talk to Theta. Stop being purposefully mis-informative and inflammatory. Check your sources before posting.
Reply
Reply
post #218 of 234
11/15/12 at 11:16am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Bulldogger View Post

What dacs was the dealer using? New or old Digi out card? I don't like that there is no distinction between the different configurations of the Casablanca. A guy running Xtreme dacs and the new Digi out card is likely having a different experience, if the three guys that I know and post here reports are trusted, than say older Superior 1 cards and the old Digi out card.

I think I already answered those questions posed by Steve, and in some of the detail on my original posts on that subject. For now I am sticking with the CBIIIHD.
Reply
Reply
post #219 of 234
11/15/12 at 5:21pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by k_lewis View Post

What on earth are you going on about?.
You are misinformed. I was simiply trying to give you some information without you launching a personal attack. The N-core modules have only been for sale in the last 6 months or so. CI has not now or ever built ANYTHING with this tech. Reports are all over the internet that the new modules are superior to the older Hypex products even the commerical products. Go figure?rolleyes.gif PS Audio, I know you didn't say that, is not building any N-core module based amp either.

I did not consider it illogical for a guy who was offering his product on at least two forums http://www.remotecentral.com/cgi-bin/mboard/rs232-ip/thread.cgi?393 for sale , and lives in Beverly Hills to risk a 1400.00 investment or build a DIY amp. If you investigate, almost any electronics repair shop could assemble the N-core amps. It looks amazingly simple. I am certain, many here could assemble those amps. The assembly looks the least complicated of any DIY kit I have seen though I confess to not previously being interested in DIY amps or ever remote controls wink.gif. Nothing I have said is illogical from my perspective. I am wondering why you are ranting? I have no clue as to what your positions may be. I just made a few simple suggestion and am wondering why you responded with a personal attack? FYI several thought it was crazy, privately, that you would figured that anyone would be interested in using your DIY remote control with their 20k processor tongue.gif . Did you sell any to anyone on this forum? On any forum? In the end Theta was trouble shooting your Casablanca because your were having problems sending RS232 though you don't seem to believe your DIY device played any role. The Casablanca appears to indeed have difficulty when the RS232 commands are sent too rapidly. It is plausible that your "garage" remote was partly responsible for your issues.
Reply
Reply
post #220 of 234
11/15/12 at 6:08pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Bulldogger View Post

You are misinformed. I was simiply trying to give you some information without you launching a personal attack. The N-core modules have only been for sale in the last 6 months or so. CI has not now or ever built ANYTHING with this tech. Reports are all over the internet that the new modules are superior to the older Hypex products even the commerical products. Go figure?rolleyes.gif PS Audio, I know you didn't say that, is not building any N-core module based amp either.
I did not consider it illogical for a guy who was offering his product on at least two forums http://www.remotecentral.com/cgi-bin/mboard/rs232-ip/thread.cgi?393 for sale , and lives in Beverly Hills to risk a 1400.00 investment or build a DIY amp. If you investigate, almost any electronics repair shop could assemble the N-core amps. It looks amazingly simple. I am certain, many here could assemble those amps. The assembly looks the least complicated of any DIY kit I have seen though I confess to not previously being interested in DIY amps or ever remote controls wink.gif. Nothing I have said is illogical from my perspective. I am wondering why you are ranting? I have no clue as to what your positions may be. I just made a few simple suggestion and am wondering why you responded with a personal attack? FYI several thought it was crazy, privately, that you would figured that anyone would be interested in using your DIY remote control with their 20k processor tongue.gif . Did you sell any to anyone on this forum? On any forum? In the end Theta was trouble shooting your Casablanca because your were having problems sending RS232 though you don't seem to believe your DIY device played any role. The Casablanca appears to indeed have difficulty when the RS232 commands are sent too rapidly. It is plausible that your "garage" remote was partly responsible for your issues.

Wow- I had no idea that underneath you were such a mean, venomous person. You really need to chill bro. Stop making things up - I told you to talk to Theta and you refuse to do that, and just want to talk garbage. All the info one needs on RS232 and the noted command issues with the CBIIIHD can be obtained from Theta, who openly recognizes the issue. You are in no way an authority and have zero information in which to create an informed opinion. The "box" I used is made by Celadon and is about as "DIY" as a Xantech, GlobalCache, or any other industry standard RS232 translator. You can EDUCATE yourself and read all of the manufacturers that use this specific RCV-5000 module: http://www.celadon.com/infrared-receiver-rs232-device-tables/Custom_IR_to_RS-232.htm - I guess none of these manufacturers know what they are doing? Hmm?

The only difference with Celadon is they will custom program a box for you with a given manufacturer's command set, saving you the time of learning command language and programming. Sit down with a Xantech and tell me how easy it is, assuming you know how to use the programmer software let alone obtain it. I spent quite a bit of time on working with Theta and Celadon tech support on this. Ran into same exact issues with a Xantech and GC to begin with, before I tried the Celadon. If I had been successful, a "sale" would have exactly covered my cost to have Celadon make one of these boxes with correct hardware, cables and ship it to me, I would load the CBIII command set and a matching IR set for their specific remote, and then mail it out. If no one needs one, so what? If it helped one person, awesome. Should I not ask to cover my costs? How much do you think this stuff costs anyway? But you must know more than all of these companies combined, and it is super bad taste to try and trash me for thinking of a way to make something easier for others.

If you want to be a wise-azz and talk about how easy it is to build an audiophile quality amplifier of a caliber fitting to this thread, and you obviously seem to know so much about CIA and how bad they are, go build an amp, send it to an independent online group for hands on review and let us know how you did. If you are successful, I'll be the first to admit I was wrong. You stating that someone else did something in another forum, without credible facts, holds no water. Put up or shut it. Let's get back on track.
Reply
Reply
post #221 of 234
11/15/12 at 6:13pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Bulldogger View Post

There's a post on a N-core forum, where a CI owner, states how much more he likes the N-core. You may want to consider them. There are a couple of people that will build them for you very cheaply if you order the modules.They are also doing bridged monoblocks to double the power. Theta has some advantages over the DIY route with the input stage being custom for example. So far, the subjective assessments have been that commercial products seems to outperform the DIY modules. I plan to hear what Theta does with the Prometheus.
You may want to see what Theta offers at CES. I am told that have some new stuff in the works besides the Casablanca upgrade. As for the upgrade, I don't think Theta does a good job of explaining the massive amount of work that is being done. It's not just Dirac live. Everyone wants Dirac Live but an upgrade of this scale would take some time, even if they were not implementing Dirac. The upgrade part excluding Dirac live is territory where many said Theta could not or would not invest the resources to go.They are moving to entirely new DSP. The rework is so extensive from what I can tell that by now, I think it's time to move to a Mark V version of the Casablanca. The finished product is going to bare little resemblance to a Casablanca III. Calling it a Casablanca III HD at that point will belie the massive changes from a Casablanca III.
Remember Theta is a moving target. Be prepared to do another comparison when they release the new dacs. IF the "rumor," I was told is true, the new dacs will be a new reference for a surround processor. It's a matter of how long you are willing to wait and how much cash you are willing to invest. Integra has always been a great value. I believe CES will be exciting especially for Theta owners this year and maybe some others looking for new products and different price points.
I don't see anything offensive in this post. I don't see anything coo coo for someone that does DIY. Please move on. This is crazy and your attack is one of the craziest and unfounded I have experienced. Proverb, "One should never argue with a fool. From a distance, no one can tell who is the fool." I didn't start this nor have I ever attacked you. This is a waste of my time. If you don't want to build amps, then just don't. Why attack me? Of course I responded. It is how I get into this stuff. Many may not realize that I am usually responding to attacks not launching attacks.
Reply
Reply
post #222 of 234
11/15/12 at 6:18pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by k_lewis View Post

Wow- I had no idea that underneath you were such a mean, venomous person.
Show me one post where I have ever attacked you since you have been on this forum. ONE???? I'm not the aggressor here. You are. I am baffled as to why you starting calling me coo coo when I knew you were into DIY? Please move on.
Reply
Reply
post #223 of 234
11/15/12 at 6:31pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Bulldogger View Post

Show me one post where I have ever attacked you since you have been on this forum. ONE???? I'm not the aggressor here. You are. I am baffled as to why you starting calling me coo coo when I knew you were into DIY? Please move on.

Can I show a post?biggrin.gif
Reply
Reply
post #224 of 234
11/15/12 at 6:49pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by thebland View Post

Can I show a post?biggrin.gif
You?? Please biggrin.gifbiggrin.gifbiggrin.gif ? Nearly all of our fights are on Theta threads because of your antics. We get along otherwise. Hell, you have helped privately with Irule as well as invited me over some year back to see your projector. Your very signature is an attack on me. I am also wondering how Buckwheat relates to home theater wink.gif? . Theta threads had no moderation for a long time. It was the wild west. Finally they got you under control and you and I basically stopped fighting. But since you are here tongue.gif and I love to bash you so much.... biggrin.gif

And oh yeah, Paul from PS audio is stating how he does not like the Op-amps that N-core uses in the input stage tongue.gif of the DIY modules. Take that.
Edited by Bulldogger - 11/15/12 at 7:02pm
Reply
Reply
post #225 of 234
11/16/12 at 5:48am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Bulldogger View Post

And oh yeah, Paul from PS audio is stating how he does not like the Op-amps that N-core uses in the input stage tongue.gif of the DIY modules. Take that.
Don't they also make a 0.5 meter $570 ($960 for 6 ft) power cable (AC10) that "is the second best sounding power cable we’ve made in the last decade."?
Reply
Reply
post #226 of 234
11/16/12 at 5:51am
I miss the wild, wild west!

I've left my sig as is as I haven't found something else yet I like to replace it. And, Buckwheat?! Loved watching the Little Rascals on Sunday mornings as a kid and Buckwheat was my favorite character. That sif picture made me laugh so hard when I came across - a total recall to my childhood.

I don't take any of the crap I get personally. But I like dishing it out when I when I disagree on things.

Even though we've had our share of heated exchanges on all things Theta and the likes I've never held anything personally against you. I see that you see that. If anything, I have fond memories of the wild west as it was...tongue.gif
Reply
Reply
post #227 of 234
11/16/12 at 6:06am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Raul GS View Post

Don't they also make a 0.5 meter $570 ($960 for 6 ft) power cable (AC10) that "is the second best sounding power cable we’ve made in the last decade."?

That is actually a reasonable claim devoid of any marketing hype. It says nothing about how the AC-10 compares to competing cables, and how much of an impact powercables have on sound quality. It simply says the AC-10 is the second best powercord in their product lineup. Now, you may be a powercord sceptic, but that is a different issue altogether.
Reply
Reply
post #228 of 234
11/16/12 at 6:33am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Bulldogger View Post

Show me one post where I have ever attacked you since you have been on this forum. ONE???? I'm not the aggressor here. You are. I am baffled as to why you starting calling me coo coo when I knew you were into DIY? Please move on.

Come on man, you really need to un-bunch your panties. Look at my post #214 original response which got you all offended with my so called "attack". I only called your 'suggestion' coo coo, not you, and I was being playful at that. Do you understand the distinction? To me, I think it is nuts to give some unknown person a grand or two to build an unknown amp- Especially when I can pick up a pre-owned high end amp for about the same price, that not only performs flawlessly but look nice as well. Talking amp design is massively in a different category that talking simple RS232 translator box. BTW the CIA D200's only cost me $500 for the pair so it was hard to not give them a try out, but even at full retail price (from my listening of them thus far) present an enormous value and they sound fantastic. I stick to the firm believe it is not possible to "DIY" build a world class amp on the cheap with 100% off the shelf modules. I am happy to be proven wrong.

What I am not ok with, is your juvenile attempts to bash me by dredging up some thread from a year ago on another forum, where I am trying to create a basic RS232 integration unit that is 'plug n play' simple to possibly help others in a similar predicament as me but perhaps they are not quite as tech savvy. If you and some other "hens" were cackling privately the background about "not knowing why anyone would use one of my modules" on their $20k processor, I can tell you that none of them actually owns a $20k processor or has thousands of dollars invested in a home automation platform. These types of RS232 modules are very common in automation systems. Most would prefer to buy a few hundred dollar "integration" module to make something thing work vs scrapping their entire AMX, RTI, URC, etc, automation system and re-spend many thousands of dollars on a Crestron system. But again, if you don't own this type of stuff then I don't expect you or the hens to understand.

DIY amp. I still don't get it. You seem to think it is super simple to build an amp of ultra high quality, you think CIA is "coo coo" with their amps, and you think the CIA designer is "snake oil". Bold statements. Even though I have yet to read a negative professional or private owner review of these amps- All I'm saying is prove your point or stop trying to make a point based on conjecture. From what I have actually read and studied over the years, it takes a lot of time and thousands of dollars to design / build a stable, reproducible ultra high quality amplifier. Tell you what- You build a pair of 2ohm stable, 200w @ 8ohm monoblocks of same specs, reliability and performance as the CIA D200's for LESS than the D200's retail price and I will **openly bow down to you as the grand master**. Fair enough?

>> I have given you all the facts about CIA from what I have found, which you still refuse to read and continue to make up your own statements. You keep going on about CIA not using Ncore and I don't see any CIA statements about using Ncore modules, just their own custom modules. It is in writing. read it. DID YOU READ? This is what I don't get, you won't read anything but rather would just spout nonsense.

>> I have given you all the facts about RS232 issues with the CBIIIHD, it is in many of my original posts on the topic over at the Theta Owner's thread, and you can freely contact JB at Theta for facts. I have given you full info on the module used, which is industry standard. The issue has been found, acknowledged by Theta and will hopefully be resolved in the future. But, again, you would prefer to purposefully make things up with no other agenda than to be inflammatory. Again, you are *making things up* . Stop making things up, for pete's sake!
Reply
Reply
post #229 of 234
11/16/12 at 6:40am
Quote:
Originally Posted by thebland View Post

Can I show a post?biggrin.gif

BD and I are having a nice, teenager-level spat and I'm sure we'll both get over it soon. This is none of your concern and you should not try to gang up on someone.
Reply
Reply
post #230 of 234
11/16/12 at 7:19am
Quote:
Originally Posted by k_lewis View Post

BD and I are having a nice, teenager-level spat and I'm sure we'll both get over it soon. This is none of your concern and you should not try to gang up on someone.

Relax, my comment did not even reference your topic and was directed at BD.
Reply
Reply
post #231 of 234
11/17/12 at 7:44am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Raul GS View Post

Don't they also make a 0.5 meter $570 ($960 for 6 ft) power cable (AC10) that "is the second best sounding power cable we’ve made in the last decade."?
Point taken. But how about Charles Hansen? He's in the same camp. I have used him as an example before. I don't currently own any PS Audio products.
Reply
Reply
post #232 of 234
11/17/12 at 7:46am
Quote:
Originally Posted by thebland View Post

I miss the wild, wild west!
I've left my sig as is as I haven't found something else yet I like to replace it. And, Buckwheat?! Loved watching the Little Rascals on Sunday mornings as a kid and Buckwheat was my favorite character. That sif picture made me laugh so hard when I came across - a total recall to my childhood.
I don't take any of the crap I get personally. But I like dishing it out when I when I disagree on things.
Even though we've had our share of heated exchanges on all things Theta and the likes I've never held anything personally against you. I see that you see that. If anything, I have fond memories of the wild west as it was...tongue.gif
Same here Jeff. I try to bash your gear as much as possible and not attack you. I don't take it personally either. I just laugh if I say something about gear that a guy doesn't like and then he's attacking me personally call me coo coo.
Reply
Reply
post #233 of 234
11/17/12 at 7:53am
Quote:
Originally Posted by k_lewis View Post

Come on man, you really need to un-bunch your panties. Look at my post #214 original response which got you all offended with my so called "attack". I only called your 'suggestion' coo coo, not you, and I was being playful at that. Do you understand the distinction? To me, I think it is nuts to give some unknown person a grand or two to build an unknown amp- Especially when I can pick up a pre-owned high end amp for about the same price, that not only performs flawlessly but look nice as well. Talking amp design is massively in a different category that talking simple RS232 translator box. BTW the CIA D200's only cost me $500 for the pair so it was hard to not give them a try out, but even at full retail price (from my listening of them thus far) present an enormous value and they sound fantastic. I stick to the firm believe it is not possible to "DIY" build a world class amp on the cheap with 100% off the shelf modules. I am happy to be proven wrong.
What I am not ok with, is your juvenile attempts to bash me by dredging up some thread from a year ago on another forum, where I am trying to create a basic RS232 integration unit that is 'plug n play' simple to possibly help others in a similar predicament as me but perhaps they are not quite as tech savvy. If you and some other "hens" were cackling privately the background about "not knowing why anyone would use one of my modules" on their $20k processor, I can tell you that none of them actually owns a $20k processor or has thousands of dollars invested in a home automation platform. These types of RS232 modules are very common in automation systems. Most would prefer to buy a few hundred dollar "integration" module to make something thing work vs scrapping their entire AMX, RTI, URC, etc, automation system and re-spend many thousands of dollars on a Crestron system. But again, if you don't own this type of stuff then I don't expect you or the hens to understand.
DIY amp. I still don't get it. You seem to think it is super simple to build an amp of ultra high quality, you think CIA is "coo coo" with their amps, and you think the CIA designer is "snake oil". Bold statements. Even though I have yet to read a negative professional or private owner review of these amps- All I'm saying is prove your point or stop trying to make a point based on conjecture. From what I have actually read and studied over the years, it takes a lot of time and thousands of dollars to design / build a stable, reproducible ultra high quality amplifier. Tell you what- You build a pair of 2ohm stable, 200w @ 8ohm monoblocks of same specs, reliability and performance as the CIA D200's for LESS than the D200's retail price and I will **openly bow down to you as the grand master**. Fair enough?
>> I have given you all the facts about CIA from what I have found, which you still refuse to read and continue to make up your own statements. You keep going on about CIA not using Ncore and I don't see any CIA statements about using Ncore modules, just their own custom modules. It is in writing. read it. DID YOU READ? This is what I don't get, you won't read anything but rather would just spout nonsense.
>> I have given you all the facts about RS232 issues with the CBIIIHD, it is in many of my original posts on the topic over at the Theta Owner's thread, and you can freely contact JB at Theta for facts. I have given you full info on the module used, which is industry standard. The issue has been found, acknowledged by Theta and will hopefully be resolved in the future. But, again, you would prefer to purposefully make things up with no other agenda than to be inflammatory. Again, you are *making things up* . Stop making things up, for pete's sake!
Look this is silly. I just made a comment that someone that owned CI liked the new stuff better. I don't have an opinion or bias against CI. I've never tried it only some other digital amps. My comments about digital amps were about the ones I have tried. Sorry but there's so much stuff out there that CI stuff has never been on my radar. I wasn't making any comparison or attack on CI and have absolutely no opinion on it. You took it that way apparently and then launched the coo coo attack. I was like wow? A guy selling DIY remotes is calling me coo coo to suggest a DIY amp? Look I don't get a frack about CI or Hypex! biggrin.gif I'm a Mcintosh guy. I like the MC601s. I am looking for a new direction to go as far as digital Honestly I likely to see what Mcintosh does. The company and support have been so great. Look I just glanced over most of your post. I'm not going to fight with over this stuff.



How about this. I APOLOGIZE FOR THE MISUNDERSTANDING. Let's move forward.
Edited by Bulldogger - 11/17/12 at 8:00am
Reply
Reply
post #234 of 234
12/29/12 at 9:29am
what's the verdict on the comparison?
Reply
Reply
New Posts  All Forums:Forum Nav:
  Return Home
  Back to Forum: Ultra Hi-End HT Gear ($20,000+)

AVS Top Picks

AVS › AVS Forum › Display Devices › Ultra Hi-End HT Gear ($20,000+) › Alternatives to Casablanca III