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

haha nice work

20,000 posts, nearly 2 million views.

All generated by Jay’s efforts during his ‘free time’

Breaking news

I hope to be wrong, but I suspect we’ve seen the last of KRELL. It’s painful to see this American brand like this. When I think of the 80s and 90s era of amps, i think of KRELL - NOT McIntosh.

If I had the capital , I’d love to resuscitate a brand like this. KRELL Is what put big powerful class A amps on the map. It’s like a big Ford F350 or Ford Mustang. You can’t get more American than that.

For those of you who may not know, i wasn’t born in this country and yet i was in the Army at the age of 17. I’m very Patriotic and it gets to me to see this happening.

Competition is real in all aspects of life. The internet has made competition a worldwide force in which only the strongest survive - survival of the fittest - as they say.

Interesting reveal on the power cords. I admit I had a hard time telling the difference. I was inclined to pick the Transparent cord (#1), that was my initial reaction as I posted, but I intended to go back and confirm that initial thought with follow up analysis just never got the chance (too busy with my kids). But I know either way it would have been very close, not a landslide or even an easy choice for me

Then save the $$ and keep stock powercords if you can't hear the difference...

thezaks"A nice thought about high resolution audio files on Drop Box, etc. However, I think the idea is to get folks to watch the videos on YT and to continue building the subscribers. If WC provided these high resolution audio files, then some/many folks might skip YT altogether and only use the high resolution files. This would somewhat defeat the purpose for the YT channel."

One thing to keep in mind is that Jay has made the shift, change, and transition to an actual business and I think most everyone here wishes him the best with his venture. Sharing the files could be done a a fee-basis as you note generating for Jay an additional stream of revenue to join his You Tube channel and his equipment importing/distribution business which is just "getting off the ground" with his battery power supplies. I think sharing the actual file will actually increase his visibility, prominence, and authority, because many people understand, recognize, and accept that You Tube offers very low quality audio and Jay would not have that restriction or limitation on his shared files in Drop Box and those users will then download those files where they previously ignored You Tube. You can see in this thread that some struggle to hear any difference in Jay’s videos and some of the reason and explanation for that may be the You Tube audio quality.

As I’ve mentioned previously it is apparent andeven obvious that many users in this forum a very sensitive, caring, emotional people who prefer complete, structured, controlled "safe environments" and for those there is You Tube while other people would like to hear the actual file.

Too bad about Walter and Krell.  I felt like Walter contributed a lot to the seeming revival of Krell.  We'll have to see where they go from here.

Dave

Projection much? Apparent andeven obvious

Jay I understand how the use of aftermarket power cords on the ultra high end makes no since to you. That’s because YOU prefer the stock powercord sound, at least on your Boulder gear. What you have to realize is that everyone hears different and YES it is POSSIBLE that SOMEONE may like it different than you do. This is why people like to be their own cook. That’s why all these companies are in business. It’s personal preference that’s all. You’ve always been your own cook that’s why you enjoy your system as much as you do. You chose the speakers, the amps, the digital the room treatment and the room it self. We’re all making our own sound. Take that away and you loose the fun in my opinion. So that why it makes since to me. However I don’t put a lot of money into powercords cords but I don’t have or need the level of gear that you have either. I’m looking forward to what you will be doing next. I assume at this level you’ll be moving in a different direction since you’re pretty much at the top of this Ultralinear, highly revealing type of system, or are you? Lol!

@carey1110 

I think in WC's video, he mentions that those watching the videos seemed to favor the presentation with the stock power cord.  I know it's a YT video, but WC confirms by mentioning that a high end PC is not necessary. 

Having said that, this seems to be an exception (the 3010).   I am guessing that just about any other pre-amp that WC has tried will benefit from an upgraded PC.

Agreed though that everyone has different tastes and listening preferences, so you will always have folks that sit on either side of this.

Dave

Absolutely. The 3010 and 2110 are similar. Neither cares for a powercord. The stromtank elevates the 2110 even more but I’m not sure on the 3010 yet. The stromtank brings the 2110 performance awfully close to the 3010 though.

The stromtank review from stereophile talks about something similar. He said it brought his dag preamp very close in performance to the battery operated dartzeel. 

Jay The Stromtank added to the D’Agostino preamp brings it pretty close to the Dartzeel price doesn’t it? Also makes them both Battery powered basically too. 

Back in the day I had the Rowland Battery powered Coherence II. There is a certain smoothness with battery power that is quite attractive. 

Just finished the preliminary info......way more coming....this is exciting....and inexpensive. As people do what I suggest I will have pics of their systems and their comments as to the result. I have no doubt that this inverter system as shown plus the Puritan line filter would be way, way better than a Strommy........the whole package is around 6K (5000 watt inverter, 5000 watts of battery, better cables, Furutech outlet, charger).......A nice starter system would be a 2200 watt inverter, charger and one 200 amp 12V LifePo4 battery (2500 amp hours compared to 1000 amp hours of the Stomtank 1000) for around $1.5K. I will have pricing options on my site.....I am not making money doing this........just very excited to let the entire world know. I will be posting links to my page all over the universe.....you NEED to do this!

Inverter Power (tweakaudio.com)

Woah! Where did all of that come from? A non sequitur out of nowhere hijacking another member's thread. Not nice.

Jay is talking about improving things with the Stromtank......I am talking about improving things with another inverter......how is that a non sequitur? The ego knows lots of ways to make things wrong. The heart knows INFINITE ways to make things right. Would you rather be right or loving?  No one "owns" a thread......Jay talks about all kinds of stuff not related to "amps".  All are welcome and the more information we share the more happy we are......do you want to be happy?

"... I will have pricing options on my site.....I am not making money doing this........just very excited to let the entire world know. I will be posting links to my page all over the universe.....you NEED to do this!

Inverter Power (tweakaudio.com)"

You repeatedly use this thread to hock your wares and link to your site - taking advantage of the numerous viewers/posters.  Your latest foray is more blatant than most.  When you are called on it, you respond with gibberish.

At best, your behavior is discourteous; at worst, it is mercenary.

@maxima95 

I don't think he's trying to hock his wares in this case - just providing info for folks if they want to try a lower cost alternative to the Stromtank.  Like he mentioned, he's not making any money on it.

Dave

"plus the Puritan line filter would be way, way better than a Strommy..."

@ricevs

You got a stromtank? How would you know ? You see what I’m saying ? And then I look like the bad guy for putting my gloves on... Do you only understand things when someone goes off? Do you only understand to not jump off the second floor of a building after you do it and break your legs? I don’t quite understand you 🤔

I've seen this movie before and i think you've seen it too. You know how it ends so why go there again man ?

@maxima95 

Nice post. X2

The ego defines and defends. Has anyone A/Bed a Stromtank with a Giandel/Puritan system.....of course not. But, I can interpolate.....since the $450 Yeti (according to Tom Lyle the reviewer) sounded the same as the $20K Strommy and since the Ecoflow sounded mucho better than a 3000 watt Yeti.....and the Giandel completly stomped the Ecoflow (according to my friend whom I trust).....I think there is good reason to celebrate. And then you add the Puritan? Read the reviews on the Puritan, by itself. Do you really want to learn and grow and have a better stereo....or do you just want to be right and defend your turf? Do you want eveyone to have the best stereo they can afford? Everyone!!!!!!????!!!!! So, how does this movie end? The movie never ends.....we are eternal. Love is all there is.....there is room here for everyone and everyones opinion.

I am sharing my joy......I want everyone to have better sound. I make NOTHING by posting this information.....I want you all to be happy. All you have to do is try it....then you have an idea for yourself whether I am just blowing hot air or maybe I am really helping you. Open your heart.....open your mind. Even if it is not reviewed in some magazine does not mean it does not have merit.......move outside your box.

I am so excited about this inverter thing......

Have you ever been so excited about something that you wanted to share it with everyone? What is so cool that the basic versions are so inexpensive and if you do not like it you can get a refund......for the inverters and the batteries.....what is there to lose......except your ego?

I did predict a technology (nothing that I was going to sell or would ever sell) that could take the place of almost all your equipment.....I do think it is still coming. We shall see. I did not say I had a product that was better than the Mephisto.....please, go back and look up what I said.

This inverter thing is real.....it is now....you can touch it, you can buy it, you can test it for yourself....this is not a prediction.....You need to defend your position or no one will buy your expensive Strommies......you have no idea if what my friend did is as good or way better or worse than a Strommy......it certainly is way less expensive and you can run a power amp on it and expand it to any amount of run time....all cheaply. You have so much money, you can for sure order the 5000 watt $900 Giandel inverter with money back gaurantee and hook it up to one or your car batteries and if it sucks then you know something. Right now, you know nothing. I know what my friend hears.....He is in heaven listening to his stereo with the pictured system. As my friend Sieg used to say....."it will all come out in the wash".......time will tell and it is not going to take much time.....I don’t mind being wrong about my feelings that the Giandel/Puritan is better than a Strommy (which is $16K and will not run a power amp.....the other is $6K and will). Will you mind if you are wrong about the Strommy? What if you are selling a way less good product for way more money? Don’t you want to know if you are giving your customers the best they can get for the money? Its just a frickin inverter! Why would a Strommy sound better than a Giandel? Because it is heavy/ German? costs more? The only thing that matters is how it performs. There will be those open people who will decide to try the inverter/battery/filter system i suggest......and then we will see what they say about the performance......all talk until then is just conjecture.

I wish you all blissful listening......to your soul and, of course, music.

I'm done 👍- I'm wasting my breath and sanity. 

Is it possible that going to battery power lessens the need for expensive power cords?  Your opinions on power cords seems to have “evolved” as politicians would say, after you got off the grid. Or were the comparisons done going into the wall? 

3010 was going into the wall for this particular test. Having a stromtank does indeed lessen the importance of aftermarket powercords on the electronics 

Ricevs is there a web site for this inverted you are boasting about?  I’d like to read about it myself and possibly try it.  You can message private if you want. 

Ricevs same here please pm me or post some links. 

Ok thanks

Jay, in my opinion (like him or not) Ric has put you in check, but your response is "I'm done"!

WTF?

A pig wants you to wrestle in the mud with him and what is the reward ? Nothing...

That said, If i see more of the same behavior happening on this thread then I’ll have to send the moderators an email. They will clean up his act. 

tweak1Jay, in my opinion (like him or not) Ric has put you in check, but your response is "I'm done"! WTF?

I saw that Jay did respond to Ric previously in this thread and if you examine it you will see between Ric's posts is "Post removed Jul 27, 2022" so it appears the moderators made a decision as to its suitability I do hope Jay responds again to his ideas here.

We know two things for sure :

1) WC has not tried/heard ricevs suggestion with inverters, so he cannot absolutely say that one is better than the other.  He can speculate.

2) ricevs has not tried/heard a stromtank, so he cannot absolutely say that one is better than the other. He can speculate, but he's indicating that he is interpolating - based upon a reviewer's comparison of a Stromtank vs. an inverter, then comparing other products to what the reviewer used that are supposed to be better products. 

The way I look at it, anything is possible, but when putting pieces together as ricevs is suggesting, synergy will come into play, and the end product might or might not be as good as he suspects. 

With that in mind - I see that ricevs mentions that he does not mind begin wrong about his speculation that this DIY setup would be better than a Stromtank.   That indicates to me that he is open minded about the comparison.   To me, this is respectful and an interesting option - it would be fun for someone to try it out.  Even better for all of us if WC tried it. 

All of this is regarding the performance side of it.  Regarding the appearance side of it, the form factor of the Stromtank wins in my book and most likely with my wife  :-)

Dave

Jay isn't spending money on things that are experimental and that he will need to be buried with. Who's going to buy all the devices from this experiment if they fail to impress you? Lol 😂

6k GONE !

Don't blame you WC.   I mentioned it would be fun/better if you tried it, but selfishly, only so that we can hear the comparison.   Your money spending is your decision - I definitely don't want to be guilty of telling you how to spend your money, and I'm not trying to do that.     Plus, the stromtank is a nice form factor comparatively.   Not sure how you would fit the setup that ricevs is suggesting  :-)

Dave

Sorry, I haven't been paying that close of attention to the battery-powered discussions.

Is it true that Stromtank or Ricevs collection or any battery powered device pretty much gets rid of any advantage of dedicated AC lines?  Or do these solutions sometimes (e.g., at peak power times) still rely on overflow help from the AC?

Like I said, haven't been paying close attention so if this has already been answered, I apologize

As I stated above and on my website no one needs to lose money to try these things. The inverters, the batteries and also the Puritan filter are all sold with 30 day money back. And you can buy a $300 2200 watt inverter and remove a car battery from one of your cars to experiment. And then, if you do not like the inverter then send it back for a refund. I mean, how easy is that? You will not be sending them back.....you will hear within seconds the improvements.

Of course, the full monty system using the 5000 watt inverter, two 200 amp hour LifePo4 batteries, better battery cables, better Furutech outlet on the inverter, and good feet underneath the inverter, and using the Puritan line filter will sound much better than a 2200 watt inverter on your car battery......but you will get an idea.....and you can buy the full monty system for a little under $6K and get your money back, as well. What are you waiting for?....I give you permission....Mother says......YES, you may.......he he.

Yes, you still need great power cords from the Puritan to your equipment (unless you can afford and want a $145K Boulder preamp).

No, you do not need a dedicated line or fancy outlet......you are only using the house power to charge the batteries. There is no "overflow". You charge the batteries and then you disconnect the charger from the batteries when listening.....no connection what so ever with your normal house power. You are OFF THE GRID.

It will sound the same day and night, you will never have to worry about lightning blowing up your stereo.......but best of all, you will get the best sound out of your components......It will let your components shine! I will be adding more info daily on my site (like how to install your own ground rod dedicated to yoir stereo, etc,) and also I want my site to be a source of all things inverter.....so, as people try this I hope they will send me their findings and pics of their system so all can see and learn......as you know, a pic is worth a thousand words.....you can see by the pics on my site very clearly what my friend did......pretty frickin simple.

What a glorious day.....what a glorious moment shared with beautiful people (that’s you!). It is all good....God is so good he/she only needs one o.

thezaks"it would be fun for someone to try it out. Even better for all of us if WC tried it."

If by WC you refer to Jay then I think you need to consider, evaluate, and respect the position that Jay is now in because he has "crossed the threshold" and is now an officially designated, authorized, franchised importer/distributor of the Stromtank product at least according to Jay as I understand him and that means he has a responsibility to his vendor to represent the product fairly and not "undercut" it in any way which he would do if he promoted a less expensive "do it yourself" option or alternative and that is only fair for everyone involved in the product.

Also as I have mentioned it seems that Jay’s followers are very sensitive, caring individuals and are more comfortable with complete, integrated, self-standing solutions so they would prefer Stromtank to DIY just the same as they prefer You Tube to retrieving actual hi-res files online as has been discussed earlier in this thread.

Jay is also probably very busy trying to get dealers to sign up for this product because it is probably very limited and restricted how many he can sell here and we I’m sure are wishing him the best regarding that but may be others will try the DIY "approach" and share the results and outcome with us.

Jay is a dealer for stromtank...not the distributor...the distributor is someone else .

With regards to the DYI BATTERY thingy, i urge those who want to go back and forth non-stop about it to take it to PMs or start a fresh thread elsewhere. 

The US distributor is Dan d'Agostino

jays_audio_lab OP"Jay is a dealer for stromtank...not the distributor...the distributor is someone else "

That then is my error and mistake and I apologize English is not my first language and some times I get confused while translating in my head. The Stromtank seems to be an unusual product and design and it is interesting how some people here are trying to "reverse engineer" the product to develop an alternative that may be more specifically tailored to there needs as well as assembled at a more convenient price but it sure looks like a "messy"alternative to me that I would not like in my Music Reproduction Systems.

ricevs

No, you do not need a dedicated line or fancy outlet......you are only using the house power to charge the batteries

@jays_audio_lab says the Stromtank batteries sound different depending on which power cord is used to charge them. While that seems unlikely, it means that - if true - these batteries are not as neutral as some suggest.

Jay if you want total control of this stuff you’ll need your own web site.  This is audiogon a group of audiophiles who will always feel free to voice their opinions with in the audiogon rules and guidelines.  Regardless of what you want or who the OP is this thread is made up of many many people all with different opinions.  This thread has more topics, discussions  on more types of equipment and is more versatile than any other thread period.  This is what makes this thread so cool and Jay you started it. That is something to be proud of.  Thanks Jay for all you do  and for keeping it alive. 👍👍

@jays_audio_lab Stop it White el Camino, 😛. Rhondi says Krell is just changing the operations model. Sent me a white paper on the new amp too… Not gone or going out of business.

@bulldogger Did Rhondi tell you when the new amp, KSA i400, is going to be available?

Yeah, I'm interested in that too.

Dave