@ozzy62,
Congratulations to you as well!
I thought you would be very impressed. A friend has an Aric Audio 300b SET and he simply loves it. Aric is doing excellent work across the board.
Charles |
@kingbarbuda,
Congratulations!
Glad to read that the Blackhawk is such a successful match with your Magico speakers.
Charles |
"Hard to believe how a simple change like swapping a power cord can have such a big impact."
Not hard to believe for some listeners. I've heard some power cables do this with various audio components . They can make a difference.
Charles |
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@ozzy62,
Congratulations on acquiring the Aric Audio power amplifier. A friend of my has their 300b SET amplifier. The amplifier and customer service he says have been fantastic!
Oz, I believe the Auric Audio amplifier paired with the excellent Don Sachs preamplifier is going to work out very well.
Charles |
Hi @chicagoblue1977,
I don’t believe that devilboy deserves to be labeled as an axe grinder. He had an unsatisfactory experience with Raven Audio and has said so on this open audio forum. You and others have posted your very positive experiences with Raven Audio. Both sides should be welcomed.
Differences of outcome with a product is nothing new and certainly is not limited to Raven Audio. No brand or manufacturer is immune to having some dissatisfied customers for any number of reasons. I do not see the benefit in trying to shut down and discredit devilboy. He did ’actually’ have a Raven Audio amplifier in his audio system. Everyone should be welcomed to present their legitimate product encounters whether ultimately good or not so good. .
Charles |
@facten,
Your comments reflect many participants on this forum.
Sincere best wishes and success to Raven Audio and all audio equipment manufacturers trying to make it through challenging times.
Charles |
@ozzy62,
When I see "idiot orange man" in a post I just smile and think about our new "leader of the free world". Embarrassing is too kind a word.
Oz, Very well said. Lets stay on topic regarding Raven Audio. We all recognize the deep political divide in this country.
I was really looking forward to the Osprey versus your seperates tube components . But I understand and respect your decision.
Charles |
Agree yogiboy, particularly from 15 feet away. Certainly can’t generalized about tube amplifiers and hum. I have 3 tube power amplifiers and all are quiet. I’d give Raven a call and let them provide guidance before sending the amplifier back..
Charles |
Hi Oz,
Music Reference is good quality stuff. Always horses for courses for sure.
Charles |
@jjss49,
That's a good price for a used AirTight ATM-1. Definitely high tier Japanese amplifier, they don't come cheap however 😊.
Charles |
@arafiq,
Very astute observations. I heard the Rouge tube amplifier years back and thought it a bit solid state like in comparison to a similar priced Quicksilver amplifier.
Also agree of your Blackhawk against the ARC GSi 75. Very different price and performance categories. Not fair for the Blackhawk.
Charles |
Hi @jjss49,
You can add Quicksilver Audio to your list of well respected competent push pull tube integrated/power amplifiers that compete with Raven Audio. I believe most people just want a honest straightforward assessment of a product’s sound quality .
Charles |
Hi @tomic601,
I was acknowledging your " oz, I'm pulling for you to weigh in with reality".
Looking forward to his A/B comparison, should be insightful and fun.
Charles |
@facten and tomic601,
+1. Good tube integrated amplifier compared to good tube seperates.
Very interesting.
Charles |
Thanks Oz and best of luck.
Charles |
@ozzy62,
Are there upgrades in the output transformers and power supply (Increased capacitance reserve for example?) when going from the Blackhawk to the Osprey? These are two areas that would definitely make a noticeable difference.
Charles |
@millercarbon,
I’m in no position to "rule" on anything concerning this thread or forum and nor would I want to. This is an open forum discussing audio/music topics so it’s subjective by default (And that’s perfectly fine). There are many knowledgeable and experienced contributors here and I’m grateful for their presence.
Given the quality and diverse audio experiences shared by participants there are going to be differences of opinions and perspectives. In my opinion this is good. I can understand one’s enthusiastic support for favorite ( In some cases anticipated expectations) products owned that perform well.
I just find the redundant -monotomy of posting of the same brands pointless after a while. So for me this is an example of hyperbolic posting. Again , this is just my observation that I chose to express openly here. By all means people are free to post what they champion. Some here will applaud this approach and others will grow weary. At this point most of us get it, Raven and Tekton. I’ll say it again, home audition of audio products is the best way to judge them (When this option is available). What alternative method is superior to actuality hearing a product?
As mentioned earlier differences of reactions and perspective is the expected result on an open forum such as Audiogon represents.
@ozzy62 congratulations and I believe the higher level intergrated amplifier makes the comparison to your fine separate components even more compelling.i truly anticipate your listening impressions.
Charles |
@ozzy62,
As with other posters here I’m interested in your listening impression of the Raven Blackhawk. Your situation is potentially very informative. You currently have both a highly regarded preamplifier and tube power amplifier. So it is intriguing as to how a respected intergrated amplifier sounds compared to two respected separate components as the only variable in a familiar audio system. This is more meaningful than repetitive hyperbole.
Charles |
"Why fuss with tubes in an amp?"
+1 @ozzy62 reply.
Charles |
@devilboy,
That is my point as well in an earlier post. It’s asking a lot of the Blackhawk preamplifier section to equal the highly praised Don Sachs let alone be superior to it. Thus my interest in the upcoming audition. Same can be said in regard to the power amplifier section vs the highly regarded NOSvalves seperate amplifier. Should be an insightful endeavor.
Charles |
@devilboy,
You did it the right way. Get the component into your home audio system, then listen and judge. Turns out the Raven Audio amplifier wasn’t for you but it has worked out successfully for others. This can be said for any audio product on the market.
There will be hits and misses along the way. The OP says his current seperate amp and preamp make him "extremely " happy so a reference point has been established. Will be interesting to see how the Blackhawk iintegrated amplifier stacks up in direct comparison and will it make him as happy.
Charles
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IMHO the only way to really sort out which is better sounding is a direct comparison in one’s audio system. I can understand the appeal of a tidy single box integrated amplifier (convenient/fewer boxes). Both the NOSvalves amplifier and Don Sachs preamplifier have established reputations for excellent sound quality.
Could be ’difficult’ to exceed their performance with an integrated amplifier (But not impossible). I would encourage going for the Raven Audio home audition trial offer. You ears will get it right.
Charles |
