My Long List of Amplifiers and My Personal Review of Each!

whatever dude - need attention, much?

zprr"What has been your “contribution” to this thread exactly?"

Apparently this thread is enjoyed by a group of very sensitive people who feel deep emotional connections with this thread and who are made threatened, uncomfortable, or uneasy by any opinion, reference, or claim which conflicts with their sense of security, safety, and comfort that is why it is so odd that I was the one threatened with getting beat up by Jay in the now deleted post where he also made insult to my testicles so don’t try and "paint me" as the disrupter of this thread.

A bit of a clarification on the upper end Fyne speakers. Here is where some DIY skills and experience can really sort things out. I have owned the F704 speakers for a year now. They can play loud, but I suppose one needs to first define loud as it is a subjective term. 87db is very loud to some, while others find 87db moderately loud.

The drivers can “take a beating” but the iron core inductors on both drivers can saturate and distort at subjectively high volumes. I upgraded the inductors to air core foil types in addition to upgrading all capacitors, resistors, binding posts and internal wire. The result was quite stunning and helped this $19,000 speaker sound far more expensive and refined. The inductors were the biggest issue at high volumes in my experience.

Fyne is trying to stay within a given price point and using parts that cost $1500 more inside the speaker would increase the selling price by $6000-$8000. Sometimes DIY skills can really pay off.

They were good speakers but you can't play them loud. The drivers can't take a beating. 

I thought you’d said you really liked the Fyne Audio speakers and almost bought them. To change the subject.  Yeah cmon let’s all be nice 😊 

It is best to just be cordial and collegial. Being accusatory or inflaming adds nothing to the value of the thread or discussion.

I read Jay’s thread every day, otherwise, I don’t come around much anymore. Agon has become the antithesis of friendly and cordial. I’ve been here for over a decade, and I wish it weren’t true, but the posts above just put another nail in the downward trend on this site. Being respectful can turn that trend if the users here will put it into action.

@zprr

Thanks for articulating things better than I did. Some folks just love feeling "heard" even if they don’t have much to say.

Someone told me once: "don’t wrestle with pigs because all they want is for you to jump in the mud with them"

Sometimes my passion drags me in the mud and well you all see what ends up happening. I don’t like having to "go off" but if I don’t 🛑 stop it dead in its tracks, it can get exponentially worse and then this becomes a pig farm.

I ask ANYONE who is sitting on the sidelines and who IS NOT a contributor or who has never been part of this thread throughout the years to come at me respectfully. I don’t appreciate narratives or disrespect when I’ve never seen you collaborate on here. If I know you have been a regular on here, I know when you’re being sarcastic or simply joking but if I don’t know you, it’s best to present yourself first and respectfully share your thoughts.

Jay

@zprr 

Well said.  Totally agree.

Jay said:  "I don’t see myself doing high efficiency speakers. I’ve tried different brands such as horns, Klipsch, JBL, fyne audio and although they we were good, I wasn’t able to connect. I have a gut feeling that the s7 won’t go anywhere for a long time ."

Agree--high efficiency usually has great dynamics, but frequently lacks flat frequency response.

@clearthink 

What has been your “contribution” to this thread exactly?  As some have already said, Jay has gone to great lengths to ensure transparency since day one. I and others have been learning and entertained by Jay for 5 years. I don’t give a rat’s a$$ that he has taken on a line or two. We are all adults and can make our own decisions.

Your only “contribution” to this thread below amounts to stone throwing, is patently false and by no means represents the opinion of all that follow this thread.

“It is now obvious, apparent, and indisputable that this has become a "sales thread" for Stromtank and what ever other products Jay decides to represent, promote, and sell”

What a world this has become....on tv the rise in crime is heartbreaking. This place is for audiophiles to read if they wish and comment if they wish, but only with kindness of heart should they do so.  Didn't Mom ever explain things like that?

@carey1110 

Exactly my point...thanks 🙏

Dealers are allowed to post here. Manufacturers, too.

Clearthink-

I really don’t think Jay is trying to hide that he’s a dealer, he has mentioned many times.  Don’t you think that’s ok,  why wouldn’t it be. 

Never a dull moment here that’s for sure. Wow!

Jay if you object to my contributions, presence, or thoughts you are free to contact the moderators and seek my dismissal as I explained I am under no obligation to seek your approval before sharing, expressing, or explaining my thoughts, beliefs, or opinions you are now here to sell music reproduction system components and trying to conceal that simple fact reflects poorly on you and your standards.

If you think you can threaten, intimidate, and bully me to comply with your requirements you are wrong.

@clearthink

Come at me with respect and I will do the same. I stay in my lane and you stay in yours. Yes this is a public thread but I’m by no means going to allow disrespect towards me and all the work I’ve put it throughout the years. You don’t have to agree with anything I say here and I am ok with it but you can close out of this thread. This is THE LONGEST RUNNING THREAD in the history of this site for a reason. It’s not a coincidence. If this thread sucked, it would have died years ago.

People want to see my madness which is why they keep tuning in. NOBODY ELSE IS DOING WHAT I AM DOING ON ANY SITE OR ON YOUTUBE - SORRY I KNOW THAT HURTS. There aren’t many people who want to go through millions of dollars in gear and post about it on here and on YouTube. It’s not easy work and not for everyone. If you hate what I do, you'll have a full-time job with me. 

I find it odd that posters would rather complain about how an OP operates his / her thread rather than simply move on.

Posting thoughts, considerations, and proposals is not "dismantling" and this web site is open to all it is not exclusively for any one's expressions.

@rbach

Thanks for the comment above.

I can’t keep these random perpetrators away from the thread on my own. You all know that those who have been with me from the beginning are always appreciated and have a second home in my home. let’s not allow this thread to be dismantled by unimportant characters who haven’t been putting in the work you all have done to keep this alive.

If one does not appreciate, agree with, or condone the way the OP is running, conducting, or operating his thread or YouTube channel, one is more than capable of avoiding, diverting or passing by such a thread.  If able to think clearly, make own decisions and operate a communication device it seems logical to avoid, steer away from and never have to waste one's time with such threads that represent, promote or stand behind products they believe in.

@clearthink

A few things:

1. You can LEAVE and find another thread that suits your needs since you have your opinion of my practices and body of work throughout the years long before I decided to stop feeding dealers sales.
2. You think there is a line of folks outside waiting to buy stromtanks and 9,000 dollar artesania audio stands which I AM A DEALER FOR?
3. In case you have Stevie wonder’s eye sight and have not seen my channel, I play with the ultra high end. These pieces don’t fly off the shelves.
4. Any idea how many folks that READ this thread have actually bought anything from me? Here’s a fact: LESS THAN 5!!

And WHO ARE YOU? You haven’t been contributing a thing here so you are a ghost to me and of course you only open your mouth to say something negative. Typical behavior of those who come in here to disrupt and then walk out.

Lastly, I find it interesting that all these individuals who love to come in here RANDOMLY without EVER EVER having said a word before have the audacity to never say a thing to me in person. I don’t hide, I am not a forum crusader that simply types all day long and throw rocks at others. I step out, I go to shows.

And no this isn’t bullying, this is me talking with cojones and addressing the stupidity.

Respect is earned and I’ve been the one who’s spent the money, driven hours and thousands of miles, herniated my back while nobody else does anything remotely close to what I do. I do all the leg work here. Yes it infuriates me when garbage talkers start crap and they don’t even have pictures of their system. Check yourself before you come check me. Before you talk smack about your neighbor with the Lambo and Ferrari, open your hand and check your key fob - does it say Hyundai or Toyota?

Clearthink

I won’t go so far as to say Sales thread for just Stromtank. Many other products as well have been represented my many people here, just like in almost all forums. Let’s face it this is a target audience. However you can sift through this and still learn valuable information about a whole host of things that pertain to this hobby. It’s like reading ads in stereophile back in the day learning about new things that were out. Now you can hear it, how cool is that. 

I think people liked that you said “Don’t waste your Money”. You channel is not known for the conservative approach. That got my attention for sure. I’m like, did that come from Jay. Lol!

It is now obvious, apparent, and indisputable that this has become a "sales thread" for Stromtank and what ever other products Jay decides to represent, promote, and sell of course as a new dealer he will not have access to many of the premium lines of music reproduction equipment. For guidance he may want to research and review what former Audiogon user "millercarbon" has done after leaving the group for what I can only assume, surmise, and conclude were his commercial activities here he has his own web site now.

Something interesting that you all might have noticed: my last video has almost 10k views in a single day... Cables seem to be one of the most viewed videos and interesting topics for the masses. Maybe I should do a comparison video of the top cable brands... 

Isn't it nuts that cable conversations are so attractive for most people???

@carey1110 

No problem. It's cold and lonely at the top of the Everest for sure. 

Anyhow, I will be evaluating some footers from a brand that approached me at axpona this year. I've never heard of it but they seem quite interesting. I will also be bringing some crazy cable lifters from a German brand that are well... Very expensive. I want to see if they are really better than affordable cable lifters. 

I am also waiting on the turntable stand which hopefully arrives at the end of the month. I have 3 friends with a deep vinyl collection who will loan me their best records and see where the cards may fall. 

I don’t think Kiethr is talking about that much efficiency just speakers easier to drive not necessarily horns,  that’s extreme.  You’re right very few cars will impress you now. Would only be one of those you haven’t owned yet if that. Who knows.  I’m sure there are more people than you think playing at that level or higher they just don’t talk about it. At least not on typical forums. You’re the only one I know that is willing to share it. Thanks for sharing Jay

I don’t see myself doing high efficiency speakers. I’ve tried different brands such as horns, Klipsch, JBL, fyne audio and although they we were good, I wasn’t able to connect. I have a gut feeling that the s7 won’t go anywhere for a long time .

I only see myself with Aida 2 or potentially Alexx V. Rockport Lyra could be possible but other than these speakers, nothing interest me. As far as amps and preamps, I feel beyond satisfied. I’ve had ZERO DESIRE to purchase anymore amps or preamps since I got the 3060 and 3010. It’s like if you owned a 1500hp buggati Veyron... Very few other cars would impress you.

The worst part of playing at this level is that you are playing alone... 

@keithr +1

I’ll be curious when you try a higher efficiency speaker whether the Boulder 3k series still holds. I’d think not. For power hungry Magicos certainly makes sense.

Having dedicated lines is just the start of upgrading your power supply. One has to look at the quality of the cable from the street transformer, make sure the street transformer is up to the task ( most times there are upgrade options for this, and connection options that are newer), an upgraded panel at the house and in home wiring upgrades, all of which make a big improvement, IME. ( and as MF also found out!)

BTW, Jay has dedicated lines.

I've never heard the Stromtank. But did see a prototype at a dealer in Santa Monica at least five years back.

When my friend’s Ecoflow went down the first time he plugged his system back into his dedicated line (still using the Puritan line filter, etc). He told me that anyone using the wall power has to be nuts.....it is just soooooooooooooooo bad.

A great inverter plus filter is amazing!

My friend stated that the bass and dynamics are through the roof....way better than the wall or anything.....he is using Parasound JC-1s and has Apogees that will clip an amp with a mere 400 watts into 4 ohms (his last amp). This 5000 watt inverter does 10,000 watt peaks. No current limiting....amazing bass with big ass amps.

One of the things my friend keeps telling me is "no one will believe you can run big power amps off this thing".......People.......this is a new game......a new paradigm....you simply have to try this to know anything.  This is simply way better than your superduper dedicated line.....way better.  You are completely off the grid......you are making your own power......from batteries.  Complete isolation from the AC noise and distortion.

Jay, why should anyone come to your house to prove something? You can spend $300 yourself and in one week know exactly what it sounds like using one or your batteries out of one of your cars. Will take you 20 minutes to hook up. You can send the inverter back fo a refund......but problably you will cry....knowing that what you heard just beat your $16K Strommy. Be real......stop defending your position.....the ego is not real.....only our eternal heart and soul is real. Find out for yourself what is real and what is not. Do you have the chutzpah to do that? Or would you rather just defend making money selling something that you have no idea of its relative worth? Be always in joy......this is our nature. Defending the ego brings no happiness.

Having heard the large Stromtank model, I can say that it truly does work well and that in the right circumstance would be a serious upgrade. The question should be not whether there are DIY options to the Stromtank ( which may cost less to make, but probably won't have the durability or the manufacturer behind it), but whether the electrical system that you currently employ warrants these devices. Fremer recently did a major upgrade of his electrical service, which IMO would be more important overall than adding any of these battery devices ( specially if you own larger ss amps).

Of course there should be room for dialogue on this thread.  ricevs is a DIY'r who counters every purchase the OP makes with a 'better' cheaper build it yourself method.  This thread is as far from a DIY thread as can be.  I think ricevs would be a real asset to a true DIY thread.

Thank you for your response carey1110.

All I hear is talking. Do you work at a call center by any chance???

So I'll put my money where my mouth is:

Come into my home and let's do what you said.  I will give you the keys to my room and you can bring all the stuff you claim. We will let the world hear through my system. That said, no excuses and yes my boulder stuff WILL bury you forever  if your experiment  doesn't fly. No excuses such as ," oh my experiment  didn't work because that boulder  stuff is next level and doesn't benefit from my experiment "

If you can agree to it then let's do it. 

The facts are that no one knows much at all about this inverter thing (it is a new game). One fact is that Tom Lyle said the $450 Goal Zero sounded the same as the $16K Stromtank. Jay is INSINUATING that you have to spend BIG BUCKS (from him) to get great sound. It would be really funny if my suggested $2.7K 5000 watt system beats the $31K Stromtank 5000...............remember.....just remove a battery from one of your cars to test and buy the 2000 watt inverter for a little over $300.......this will give you an idea how the Giandel’s sound. If you like this then you can maybe buy the larger one (send the smaller one back for refund).....or just get some LifePO4 batteries for the one you have. This is just so easy to try without loss. The same LifePO4 batteries as the Stromtank and the same type of low distortion sine wave inverter......What have you got to lose? Oh MY.....what have you got to gain?!!!?.....could be magic.....could be magic....could be magic. "Got to believe we are magic.....nothing can stand in our way" We are magic. We are incredible. We deserve the best. Do you want the best? Or would you rather be right?

Most of you reading this cannot afford a $300 inverter or have the strength to remove a battery from your car.  Instead, please cash in some savings and buy a $31K inverter system (that weighs 255lbs). because it's German and has "Audiophile" written on the sides.......he he.  Are you knee jerking?  Can you take a joke?  Joy is every second......laugh at your self.....we are funny.

Are we just sheep or do we find out for ourselves what is really true?  I think we are all divine......we deserve to know what is true and to live by it.  What is true is that you are beautiful.....beyond your wildest imagination.  See the beauty within yourself.....see it in everyone....in everything....in every second. 

Rbach

Lol yes you heard that right,   many other priorities before ever considering that pricey of a power conditioner . Especially if something cheap would be satisfying enough. Maybe not as good but enough. It doesn’t alway have to be the best as long as I’m happy with it. That’s all. Pretty good in the wall right now, for me. 

@carey1110

I apologize if I heard this wrong but I believe you have the Wilson Alexx V's speakers.......and the 16k Stromtank is too pricey for you? 

@ricevs

What bothers me is the narrative. You keep insinuating that what you propose is better than the Stromtank but you haven’t heard it? As a matter of fact, over 90% of people here haven’t heard or let alone see a Stromtank in person. Everything is speculative but you create these visions and dreams that your lab experiment could best a Stromtank. I’ve got nothing against your proposition and ideas, but when you come in here with a miniskirt and pom poms preaching this nonsense of this or that beating the Stromtank, that’s when I come out and set the story straight. Don’t confuse people here with tons of hypothesis. There are a lot of educated folks on here that deserve facts rather myths.

As a Stromtank dealer, i can say i have never heard a mágico speaker sound better and as a matter of fact I’m getting ready to bring the big Stromtank 5000 model. If i didn’t believe in it, I’d be finding a way to get out of it and avoid dropping more Money into to. I am sorry to break it to you, but it takes MONEY and Component matching in order to build a top end system. You can’t build top end systems with radio shack money.

Ricevs

i May look into this power system you talk about since I know I’ll never try the Stromtank due to cost. Looks like a convenient piece to have around even if it didn’t help the audio. However if it does help that’s a bonus for a lot less money. Thanks