Matt: All components including tubes have a life span. We can say we all start dying when we are born or start living. :)
The tubes have a 10,000 hour life and are very inexpensive to replace. When they are replaced, the sound will stay the same as it was during the "good years" of the tubes life. |
Not being a tube guy Jonathan, can you comment on :
1, Do tubes start to die from day one, and that the quality of sound is best at the begining of the tubes life contrary to the end.
2. When replacing tubes, there is always a chance that the sound may change, for the better or for the worst.
thanks !!
Matt |
The tubes cost $15 each to replace plus labor. |
I've never had to install 2 tubes before but depending on the cost of the tubes it should be less than $150. |
Darrell what would the charge be for you to install the new pair of tubes on a mark 2 ? |
The two tubes in question are the 6021W. They have 2" wires coming from the base, not the rigid tube pins you see in most other tubes so they can't easily be used with tube sockets. They must be de-soldered and the replacemnents have to be soldered in place. By using a miniture tube that is soldered you gain many advantages over a standard tube/socket: Vibration has less effect on the tube, the tube is more rigidly mounted, connection noise is lower, the tube will not fall out or get damaged in shipping the unit. BOTH MK1 & MK2 use the same wired tube so user replacement is difficult. As stated in an earlier email, I have NOT seen a tube failure besides the one that had a slight hum in one channel and there are units have been playing for OVER two years!
If a tube needs to be replaced I can get it done and return the unit in 48 hours. |
Louisl: Jean Paul Combelles is the sales manager of Audio Aero company and is the key person behind all sales/problems/issues of Audio Aero. His e-mail is: jpc@audioaero.com
Best luck |
Lall: I don't know who Mr. Combelles is (perhaps you could let me know), however, I have emailed Darrell (above - he says he is the guy who services Audio Aero), and here is his response:
If you plan to not use the unit for a week or more definitely turn it off. As far as the tube life, they should really last at least 2 years. I've only had to replace one tube in a MK1 and that tube had a slight hum in it, otherwise there have been no others that needed a tube replaced.
I don't recommend trying to replace a tube yourself because if you don't do it carefully you can damage: the tube, the pc board, and melt wires.
So, it appears that the tube is soldered (I understand that this was not the case with the original Capitole, ie pre 24/192)and, as Darrell states, he does not 'recommend trying to replace a tube yourself'. It seems to me that this should have been covered in the owner's manual.
I have emailed him back asking where I should send the unit for tube replacement. When I hear back, I will post an update. |
Louisl: I understand that the 10,000hrs refer to the duration the unit is powered on (the back switch), irrespective of whether it is playing music or not. If you read the manual carefully, it mentions somewhere that if the unit is not in use for a long time, to maximise the tube's lifetime, the unit should be powered off.
I suggest that you send an e-mail to Mr Combelles and ask him if the tube can be replaced by the user, and let us know. |
Thanks for the response, Lwatson! If the heater remains on, couldn't that also fail prematurely due to it's constant 'on' state in standby? Or, in other words, does the 10,000 hours of tube life refer to 10,000 hours of actual use (ie, while actualy listening to the unit)? |
I believe standby mode in tube amps usually refers to removal of high voltage to the plate and screen/control grids. The heater usually remains on which is the visible glow you see. You have the benefit of thermal stability without the degradation caused by high voltage stress. |
Tube life / Replacement Question -Capitole MK II.
I've owned my MKII for about a month now, with zero problems, and I love it. But I have a question. I notice, that when I have the unit in Standby, the tubes are still on. The expected tube life is 10,000 hours (roughly 14 months). Shouldn't the tubes be off in standby to preserve tube life? If the answer is to shut off the whole player - wouldn't it would take many hours to warm-up the player again from a cold start?
If a tube goes bad, how do you replace it? Isn't it hard wired into the circuit (ie, no tube socket)? And, no, I am not a technician, so I wouldn't trust myself with a soldering iron in my hands, working on a piece that retails for $8700 (U.S.). Anyone got any knowledge / advise? (Oh, and one last thing, I have no local dealer to go to). |
I can't understand why some people are selling their MKII's after only a few weeks. Remember, it takes at least 500hrs to get a good feel of what the player is capable of. |
stay tuned Theta data III transport coming this week will report findings. |
Has anybody tried the Mark II with a quality transport? I recall an earlier post claiming Capitole MKI + Esoteric P2 transport to upset the MKI player on its own.
Well, I'm embarrased to state that my Capitole, fed by a Micromega Stage 6 CD player as transport, produces (in my system) a more musical, smoother and more seductive sound than on its own! It took only a few seconds even for my wife to spot that! My Capitole is fully burnt in with about 600 hrs on it. I'd be interested in having your feedback. |
Umm, what's all the kvetching about? The player sounds great. |
I installed the P3 chip in my player last evening. Not a simple task. It did, however, clear up the problems I've stated earlier in this thread. I've found everything that Darrell states to be fact. Thanks Darrell.
The best part of all.....this player sounds great and those pesky little quirks are all just a fading memory ..........AHHH |
Thank you for clearing that up Darrell! |
The numbers and bars are displayed (dbr from -100 to 0) on units with the P3 chip installed. How do I know, I'm the guy that does the service for Audio Aero. The phase switch still works with the P3 software and you get 4 levels of display dimming. The P3 also fixes a few of the transport reading problems. The original chips were programmed outside Audio Aero's factory (Pre-P3) and now in house programming should take care of any problems as needed. |
With my friends player which is allegedly the same exact unit as the one I have, his displays(I only saw it for a few quick minutes and that was a few days ago and a lot has happened since so I may be slightly inaccurate with what I recall- though not to far off) the bars and below it is read something along the lines of '-36dB' etc... in that wackey horrible looking numbers the capitole produces on its display, and I heard there is another update available offering the volume display change and no phase switchablility- I believe it is automatic- I know Badwisdom made the remarks with the update in a thread some where how ever I am unable to find it at the moment. But his player does have the volume display update but not the phase update; weird French electronics! Hope that clears the fog up! it was really appearant because we had the two units right next to one another and(the same remote worked both) when the volume would be adjusted the change was very obvious- any better or worse, I dunno just different. FWIW I listen to my unit with the display shut off about 90% of the time any way so no big deal ;) |
TG >>how ever my units volume display is merely bars, and his unit has bars and numbers below it! <<
Can you elaboate ?.. numbers like volume db? .. I just got my replacement unit last week with new chip and did not notice numbers.. only volume bars and track and time info
What do you mean selectable Phase, the 0 and 180, I have had that on both player I had, I would be curious if on your version it no longer is there ?
I did find the old and new unit that I have were totally stable with no code issue, reads the CDRs I throw at it and selects the tracks I want..
But the break in process is a killer ! |
This just in....last evening I had a friend stop over with his new capitole II and we did a burned in unit(mine) vs. fresh new unit(his) shoot out, very noticeable differences but what shocked me the most was the volume display. I have the new chip and have not experienced any of the concerns about tracking and such, how ever my units volume display is merely bars, and his unit has bars and numbers below it! Though his unit still has selectable phase.....hmmmm, not better not worse just different- break in is an amazing thing with this player.
FWIW I am so enamoured with the sound of this unit I have not even tried to hook my DVD player up! to hell with movies I want the stereo only!! If I didn't have 200 dvd's I would sell my projector and buy new speaker cables and be happy as can be..... one day I will want to watch a movie again, so I will keep you helpful folks posted if I run into any further issues. |
Wow, I just read through this thread... I'm pretty blown away by the number of complications of the cap2. I mean, DAMN! It's almost 9 BIG ONES!! I have been looking for a tubed cd player now for over a month, and had the cap2 on my short list. But the price was just too high. I thought of maybe getting the prima, but decided instead to go used, with a BAT VK-D5SE. That way, if there are any problems with the unit, I don't have to ship it half way across the country and pray that I get someone who answers the phone in English!
Reliability is a big deal, as is service. Victor at BAT has been nothing short of exemplary... |
Lall,
thats all the info i have at the moment on the P3 chip. I didnt read it, my dealer showed me the actual chip because my player is currently been updated to the latest software/EPROM and he just received the new P3 chips from Audio Aero. My guess is that Audio Aero released it last week. You should ask your dealer to enquire about it.
I dont know why they came up with the P3, and i dont know the difference with the P2. All i know is the two functions i listed here earlier, and as my dealer is off this week for holidays, thats all i have at the mo' :)
Cheers |
Tireguy
The best way to find out what's wrong with your player is to use another CD player (not DVD) as transport only and connect it to the Capitole using a digital cable.
If your system still does not play, your Capitole should go back to the dealer. If it plays, the problem you mention above lies in the other source, not in your Capitole. |
Badwisdom,
Can you provide more inof on the P3 software? Where have your read it? The AA website makes no mention of this new software? I understand from an earlier post that the new chip P2 was going to cure all problems such as bug, tracking etc., why the need for the P3? is the P2 having problems? |
Listener
I tried my Micromega Stage 6 CD player as transport and the Capitole as DAC (using RCA digital cable) and no problem at all. Once you select the coaxial input (either with remote or the button in the CDP) everything else should be automatic and the DAC should play.
I suspect that your player has some problem that should be understood and sorted out by your dealer. At the same time they should upgrade your chip. This is the safest option. Guessing and playing around too much with the buttons may cause harm to the player. |
Tim, You probably know this, but just in case it was overlooked, the 9000es will not output SACD audio signals from the digital out optical or coaxial connectors. Good luck and enjoy the Cap.MkII! |
Mzn50- Thank you for all your help- I don't have speakers this weekend but new ones will be here Monday I will try then. I just don't understand why it wasn't working, I didn't have a lot of time to play with it though, perhaps a little more time and patience and it will all come together. |
the P3 software and latest EPROM has many features, only two of which i am aware of at this time :
- possibility of choosing between a bar volume display, or a numeric volume display
- Init CD phase no longer exists, the player initialises instantly
Thats all i know for now
Cheers |
make sure(and this is not intended to sound like Im talking down to you, but make sure you have slected the correct coax input in the front.. does it say "coax 24/192' and does it click if you stop the DVD player??
Other then that... Make sure the DVD internally, and I am talking the user menus, is set to PCM. and als not to worry, the CAP does accept 96khz output also..
next step.. tech support..as mine works great ! |
That is funny my old Accuphase DC-330 would accept a coax input from my DVD player and produce two channel sound- keep in mind the dc-330 was strictly a two channel product as well. I checked the back of the DVD player and above the coax and toslink output it says Bitstream/PCM, any thoughts on that? I have two dvd players a cheaper Toshiba and a 9000es and neither work(both worked on the accuphase). This is really quite unusual. |
Badwisdom, I'm really curious about the P3 software as I seem to be experiencing different behavior with the transport than others are reporting. Perhaps the different functionality with the previous track selection is an indication of the P3 software???????
Tim, I believe the source of your problem is probably as Matt has described. The Capitole is not (yet anyway) capable of decoding 5.1 sources and requires the input device to deliver a PCM signal. |
Just to understand, you are not sending a 5.1 movie or dts cd disk or multi chn to the CAP via the coax correct ?..also, see if your DVD player is set to PCM output, and also has the ability to output 96khz..if so, enable those.
When Selecting the co-ax in, keep in mind the output is via the analog outs of the CAP...
hope that helps..
Matt
http://members.rogers.com/mzn50/ |
Matt- Thanks for your insight, though my problem is that I am trying to use the capitole as a DAC/pre for my DVD source and I feed it a co-ax digital input and I switch it to co-ax input on the capitole I get nothing. I was wondering if I was missing something?? I have heard the mechanical relay clicks, I just get no sound. Thanks in advance for any further help.
Gladstone- I am going to say your damn close to being broken in after 14 days of playing 24 hours a day- it starts getting good at around 7 days but it takes a while to get the last little bit. I am running direct and plan to in the future as well. |
How long does to take to break-in, particularly the top-end?
Is everyone running it direct? |
Tim, regarding the digital, you need to provide the AA Capitole with a digital source such as another transport..etc. I use satellite music, feed it to the coax and the Cap resamples it to 24/192 and outputs it via the analog outs (XLR/RCA)
Its a great feature !.. this allowed me to get rid of my DAC as basically that is what this is. The only thing I do not like is the loud clicking I hear if I change satellite chns. When the Cap looses sync of the digital input.. it clicks ..like a loud relay..
regards
Matt |
How do you guys access the digital input(s)? I know how to switch from cd playing to say coax digital input and the display changes and tells me what input it is using but I still get no sound- I am not sure if I am missing something the instruction book is pretty vague when it describes this process. I can adjust volume I can switch the inputs but I still get no results- I am quite confused! Any insight would be super, thanks. ~Tim |
Just been told from my dealer that there is a new P3 chip for the Audio Aero MkII. Don't know what it does yet, but will keep you posted.
Cheers |
Thanks for the responses on the previous track issue.
Unfortunately, my player does NOT honor the previous track function. But, I'm afraid to send it back for replacement or repair because, much like Lall's experience, this particular unit sounds outstanding and it hasn't even broken in yet. The first MK II that I had didn't sound much better than the MK I, in some respects not as good. But this player is much improved from the MK I.
I still can't believe the lack of consistency in Audio Aero's quality control ........ disturbing! The guys at Globe are gonna be sick of hearing from me. |
Listener: I have the new chip and my remote has no problem with reverting to the previous track.
I have realised the importance of proper isolation to obtain good performance. Shifting it from the bare rack to the floor (which is carpeted by a very thick material) improves the sound by an unbelievable amount. Suddenly, the speakers disappear, the sound is much livelier, rich and full of emotion. This is an amazing piece of equipment! And it has only about 50 hrs on it! |
You can NOT play a mk II player with the drawer open, just something they have changed. I was at first very confused about this when I recieved mine as well. |
I received my brand new unit two days ago. It was manufactured in July (I understand that pre July units may have contained the old software) and has the new chip (confirmed by Mr Combelles in person).
Initially, the unit could not read any discs but that was because I did not place the "puck" on the disc. It was my fault but the manual makes no mention of the necessity of locking the disc with the puck! Sattothestars: many thanks for your advice.
Else, the player is playing flawlessly: no tracking problems, no cutoffs between tracks, no skipping, and all buttons on the remote are working perfectly. However, if the sliding drawer is opened whilst in play, the unit stops playing immediately. Also, the (new?) manual explicitly mentions that the drawer should remain closed. But someone stated earlier that leaving the drawer open may yield improved sonics. Could it be that the new chip requires the lid to remain closed? |
Well I am basing it off the fact that you have 2 chaoices.Obviously calling GAM is thw way to go.If they feel you are somewhat competent they will let you change the chip(if needed)yourself or you can send it back to them and be without a cd player for weeks. |
I think the concern isn't so much one's ability to remove the cover, but like Rap says, the concern is voiding a warranty. That may even be worse than having the old chip IMHO.
Also, Sattothestars provided a great indicator about whether or not you have the correct chip...I think if you're getting data cutoff in between tracks on a live album, you more than likely need to discuss getting your dealer to update the software. |
MY God we are talking about removing 6 screws.Unlike the MKI there are no wires attached to the cover.I am a dealer,and just about anyone with a scrwdriver can remove the cover.As for replacing the chip(if needed)that is another story. |
|
I haven't opened my unit (note warning) so I cannot verify the new chip but my unit is only a couple of weeks old so I assume that it is the latest chip, but not certain.
The previous track button works like all others I have experienced while in "play mode". One push goes to the beginning of the track and two successive pushes goes to the previous track. This is pretty normal behavior for all CD and DVD players that I've ecountered.
While in "stop mode" the next/previous buttons sequence the track up/down with each push. |
Has anyone with the "verified" new chip tried to use the previous track function? When I use this button, it only returns to the beginning of the current track. I believe the old chip honored the previous track function as indicated. A little help please...........
Thanks! |
Sattothestars; It clearly states in the owners manual for the Audio Areo Capitole MK11, in bold type, REMOVING THE COVER OF THE UNIT WILL VOID THE WARRANTY. I just thought you all should know this. |
