The One and Only Big D Thread

Discussion in 'How to Win Friends and Influence People' started by Big D Design, Feb 14, 2017.

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  1. Big D Design

    Big D Design RIP 2021

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    Hopefully you won't be driving drunk. Call a Uber or a Cab. Drink your ass off, but be responsible...

    [​IMG]

    Something came today. It's my Krell's Big Brother..... Krell KSA-200S. Double the horsepower and power reserves out the ass.

    [​IMG]
     
  2. Big D Design

    Big D Design RIP 2021

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    @auri
    That $250 DAC is not going to live in the system forever. The SingXer SU-1 will be feeding something much better in the future thru the AES XLR connection.

    In regards in the cable I'm building. Who gives 2 shits what you think. It's going to be something I built myself. This stuff is a hobby for me. Me like to build things.

    Personally I think it will look very nice with those wild colors. I may not use the clear tubing I bought though. I must leave the wires exposed and heat shrink 1" patches every 16" and do it that way. Might look even better. Enjoy your way, and I will mine. ;)
     
  3. Dino

    Dino Friend

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    I can't imagine that I could do the plastic and back in the box thing.

    When I was 18, I got a job in a warehouse. I weighed 120 lbs. Within a couple years I weighed 125 lbs and could pick up a 70 lb box, put it on my shoulder and walk across the warehouse with it, no problem. Those days aren't coming back. :( I weigh 145 lbs now. If I could get 70 lbs on my shoulder, I'd collapse or something.
     
  4. Big D Design

    Big D Design RIP 2021

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    @Dino
    Age has taken a lot of my strength away. Getting old is all about keeping the stress down and trying to enjoy the time left on the planet. It's hard to me to not be surfing all the time. Florida waves got me bored enough to quit surfing and do other things. Still would rather be surfing 6-8ft tubes. Still like Florida though. It offers a good lifestyle for us older ones.
     
  5. Big D Design

    Big D Design RIP 2021

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    SingXer SU-1 Review.....

    [​IMG]

    $399
    It has been said over and over again that USB to the DAC is a waste of time. The SingXer is a cost effective way to fix that. SingXer sells the SingXer F-1 for $205 with box and gets the job done, but it doesn't really have all the connections. And it doesn't have the power supply and better build that the SU-1 has. Face it. If you want to use your Windows or Mac with USB you will want to have the data reclocked properly with femto clocks and sent thru a better connection to your DAC.

    Let's cut to the chase right away here and point out what this thing does for the sound. It opens up the faucet from a steady flow to streaming. Or your porthole just opened up to a window. It is so noticeable with my system, due to the fact that my Martin Logans are so revealing.... along with the rest of my setup. Now I am going from the SingXer SU-1 with a Coax Digital cord that is a Reference cable from Morrow Audio. So your results may differ. I do notice that the treble is rolled off a little compared to my CD Transport (Tascam CD-200) using the same Reference Coax cable. Kind of like it. Less listening fatigue.

    The worst thing to me is too much detail and a freakin' headache. Who wants that? I sure as hell dont. With the SingXer SU-1 the sound is so improved thru the Modi Multibit DAC. The Modi Multibit DAC is a wonderful unit when fed a Coax signal. It may not be as good as a Yggdrasil, for sure. But the combination of SingXer and the Modi Multibit could beat the competition under the Yggdrasil. Don't know. Would have to test. I do know that for $650 the combo of SingXer and Modi Multi-Bit is one hell of a good sounding digital piece of equipment that cannot be underestimated. In this day of ESS Sabre chips, I challenge them to sound as analog as this combo. That's my take. I think this combo is something to be considered. If your ears like smooth analog type sound, this is a sure fire great full soundstage winner hands down.

    Best thing about the SingXer SU-1 is that you can bring it along into future upgrades of your DAC with all the connections needed for the best sound possible. Right now AES XLR is considered the best connection to the DAC. How can you beat such a tool that is this future proof with future firmware ugrades available also?
     
    Last edited: Mar 19, 2017
  6. Big D Design

    Big D Design RIP 2021

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    I get very excited about 2 channel sound. I know most at SBAF are headphone users with most of their budget put Eddie Current and Mr Speakers or Focal Utopias. I respect the whole cans thing. I saw that Marvey was trying to bring 2 channel stereo into the mix. Thought I could get involved. Don't hate me for wanting to have some fun with something so dear to me. Right now my system will blow your mind. It's that good. There is so much more to come. I'm not here to show off, just to tell the tale of my tribes and tribulations of getting the sound right. Kabish.
     
  7. k4rstar

    k4rstar Britney fan club president

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    Thanks for the review D! Do you think the SU-1 is worthy of this years Big D Awards?

    [​IMG]
     
  8. DigMe

    DigMe Friend

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    "Tribes and tribulations"
     
  9. Big D Design

    Big D Design RIP 2021

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    The Krell revolution moves onto another amplifier in the Big D Labs. They designed the boxing for 2 people to lift the amp out. It was impossible for a brute like me to do it. Got my neighbor and we got ahold of the 4 handles (2 per person) and it the whole foam shebang lifted right out onto the table that I had ready for stage one of the unboxing. The big foam thing opens up like a 4 sided clam shell. Quite the design. I had 2 sets of gloves, so there were no cuts from the heat sinks. It's wider than the Mark Levinson from last week. I really wanted to like that amp. Just really sucked with the Logans.

    [​IMG]

    Krell KSA-200S
    200 watts/ch 8ohms
    400 watts/ch 4ohms
    800 watts/ch 2ohms
    1600 watts/ch 1ohm
    Original MSRP $7,500.00

    Into the Big D Livingroom.....

    [​IMG]

    The Krell KSA-200S does not run anywhere near as hot as my Krell KST-100 amplifier. It puts out some heat for sure. But we are not going to be cooking our breakfast anytime soon on the Krell KSA-200S. At first I tried to hook it up with RCA interconnects. I got major hum. Went to the manual. Oh yeah. Looked on the back. There weren't any pins in the XLR connection. The amp didn't come with the special piece that grounds the XLR connection and enables you to use the RCA connections. XLR here I come....... Freya XLR to Krell XLR it is. Turned on the Krell and absolute silence. Went back to the manual and Krell says.... "you better use balanced connections to amplifier" cause it's better for noise rejection. "Or we'll kill you". The last thing they didn't say. It's is so silent that I'm liking the Freya to Krell balanced and I'm keeping it this way. The REL subs are just fine now that I have them fixed. The RELs sound glorious with the new Krell KSA-200S, and it was a very smart upgrade. Expensive,,,, yes.

    Right now I only have an XLR cable that comes from my New York pro audio connection that is Canare L-4E6S Star Quad XLR. They are one of the best from the perspective of the pro audio bunch. I am going to see if Morrow Audio will change out my RCAs to XLR on my Reference 4 cables. Never know. It certainly would be cheaper than spending $209.00 to get an XLR set. I do want to explore the Morrow Audio cables with the XLR from the Freya to the new Krell amplifier and I bet the sound will open up even more than it is now.

    So how is the sound? It's still a Krell driving the Logans. Check. Now it's balanced from the Freya to the Krell. But with not the esoteric cable. It sounds better than the other Krell. Hands down. Seems that the Krell KSA-200S has a smoother delivery of midrange. I don't know if it has as big a bass punch as my Krell KST-100 yet. I want the REL S3 subs to stay in the backround for now. I can turn them up, whenever. The trick with the REL is to not saturate the bass. It is to be "AS ONE" with the speakers. Right now I am noticing things being strengthened. A steel drum is more realistic. Piano is fuller. The voices are just nicer. You get it. I like this schiit.

    I have to go right now. Family is calling. I will continue on this wonderful amplifier soon enough. All I can say is that Martin Logan is a friend of the Krell amplifier.
     
  10. Thad E Ginathom

    Thad E Ginathom Friend

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    I suppose it is best to follow the unpacking instruction (sometimes to be found inside the box!) but my experience with getting heavy things out of boxes is to lift the box off the thing, rather than the thing out of the box. This has served me well with equipment from computer to hifi --- and I am a wimp who never surfed and never even saw the inside of a gym.
     
  11. Big D Design

    Big D Design RIP 2021

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    @Thad E Ginathom
    Yes, normally the way you describe is a safe way to get an item out of the box. Have used that method more times than not. Well Krell decided that they wanted to have it their way or the highway. Krell designed 2 rubber/plastic grab handles on each side for 2 humans to lift up and out. It was strange and also quite the magic trick. It went up on the table and this square piece of blue foam opened up like those puzzles you used to make in class when you were bored with what the teacher was teaching.
     
  12. Big D Design

    Big D Design RIP 2021

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    @k4rstar
    That is genius. Looks great.
    SingXer SU-1
    It is on back order all the time. I think that says something. I got lucky and got it when there was 8 in stock. 4 hours later there were 3 left. Great sound. So worth it.
     
  13. Big D Design

    Big D Design RIP 2021

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    Latest update on the new Krell KSA-200S......

    [​IMG]

    What a monster! It has power reserves that I don't dare explore. The rating of 200 watts/ch @8 ohms is conservative to say the least. Stereophile got 280 watts/ch @8 ohms at their test bench. The power doubled at 4 ohms (560 watts/ch). Oh baby. My ESLs are rated at 6 ohms, but they drop all the way down to 1.6 ohms when in use. The Krell is a good choice for tricky planars like Logans and Maggies, Accustats, Appogee and the like. Many out West seem to love the Nelson Pass amplifiers. The Pass Labs amps don't come with a 2 ohm rating, nor a 1 ohm rating. Humm. I wonder. Also they cost $30,000.00 for a new set of decent Monoblocks. Hummmmm.

    But I see a lot of praise in my Logan world for the Pass Labs. I hear that lack the manliness and slam of the Krell, and are more smooth and tubelike. The Pass Labs are supposed to have a larger soundstage and just as much current capability. I personally am pretty sure that I would choose the slam of the Krell with a back to back audition. I just love the Krell attack.

    Speaking of massive power draw of the Krell KSA-200S..... I went into the house wiring breaker box and took a look at what is going on with the livingroom. Good News! I have two dedicated 20A lines for the system. I had the system setup only on one of the 20A lines. Now I have the system setup with the Krell on it's own dedicated 20A line. The 2 REL subs and the rest of the system is on the other 20A line. I have to redo the wires in a professional manner behind everything, but I have a working two dedicated lines 2 channel stereo setup. Horay..... Krell wins again. It's amazing how Krell always gets what they want. Krell even supplied me with a killer 10 foot power cord to reach my 20A outlet. The 8AWG 12' Power Cord that I was building custom is now going to be an extension cord for the rest of the system that is going to the second 20A outlet in the livingroom. How lucky did I get?
     
  14. yotacowboy

    yotacowboy McRibs Kind of Guy

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    I think you should buy them.
     
  15. Big D Design

    Big D Design RIP 2021

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    @yotacowboy
    I think I made it quite clear. I like the forward sounding, hard hitting manly sound of the Krell amplifiers. Amps that go down to 1 ohm.
    Pass Labs and the previous Threshold 400a and 4000a I am familiar with. They are good with people that have LL Bean accounts. Martin Logans deserve a manly amplifier to drive their speakers. It's funny though. Many Martin users swear by VTLs. I love that stuff. Just not with planar speakers.

    I am keeping my eye out for one more Krell for my collection.
    This amp is very rarely for sale. Krell FPB 400cx

    [​IMG]

    Krell FBP 400cx
    400 watts/ch @8 ohms
    800 watts/ch @4 ohms
    1200 watts/ch @2 ohms
    Extremely musical amplifier and one of the last from Dan. You can find the 600cx, but hard to find the 400cx. The 300cx does not have the big enough transformer.
    @yotacowboy
    This is one of the amplifier wonders of my world. Pass Labs is for others. There are things behind the scenes going on you don't know about. Ahoy matey. |{
     
    Last edited: Mar 21, 2017
  16. DigMe

    DigMe Friend

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    [​IMG]
     
  17. Big D Design

    Big D Design RIP 2021

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    @DigMe
    Did you see that "Mr T" is on tonite on ABC with Dancing with the Stars? No Shit.

    BTW. I don't watch that show. Mom does.
     
    Last edited: Mar 21, 2017
  18. Big D Design

    Big D Design RIP 2021

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    Going in for a listen.

    I have some thoughts about Tidal.

    Listening with the Krell KSA-200S tests coming soon.

    Need to give time with my favorite tunes with the new amplifier.

    SingXer SU-1 is a sure fire winner for anyone using a USB connection to connection to their DAC. The rewards are so great that words won't make the upgrade sound as good as it really is. Freakin' phenomenal. Hands down. Do it. Now.

    Funny story. I am a Tidal user, and was looking at their Playlists. Found one that I was interested in. Fell asleep about a half hour in to a four hour playlist. Didn't wake up till it was over 3.5 hours into the playlist. The funny thing is that this was a club mix playlist, and I fell asleep to it. The analog sound of my system is what let my ears, even upon wakeup were not in pain. Nice. Krell KSA-200S amp, more musical, yes. Think that things are going well over here at the labs. So how are you doing?

    Here is the 74 song 4:36 hour Club Playlist from Tidal...... in case you're interested. I like it.
    It is actually one of the best Club playlists I have ever heard in my life.....
    Want to see if your system can be pushed, then you have the tools now.....

    [​IMG]

    I listen from soft to many types of music. Jazz is done with me. Other than that mention, music is an open door.
     
  19. Big D Design

    Big D Design RIP 2021

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    More wiring upgrades....

    Decided to buy a extra heavy duty 15' extension cord instead of me making one from the wiring I bought. I'll leave those wires for another time. After scouring the internet I found a company that sells a high quality super duty extension cord at the length and 3 outlet design. I have the (2) APC (American Power Conversion) 10 AMP AVRs (automatic voltage regulators) that filter RFI/EMI and stabilize voltage that will run into the extension cord. All items or than the Krell KSA-200S amplifier in the 2 channel system will be hooked up to these units going into a 20A dedicated line. The Krell KSA-200S will have a 20A dedicated line all to it's self direct into outlet from power cord supplied from Krell.

    In case anyone is interested in the company that builds these extension cords.... They are out of Texas. They go big in Texas as you know.
    Watts Wire
    https://www.wattswire.com
    on Ebay with free shipping
    http://www.ebay.com/itm/332111268512?_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649&var=541137709776&ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT

    Edit: Watts Wire has a Facebook page. If you have Facebook, you should take a gander at this Texas Style laughter inducing site. https://www.facebook.com/WattsWire/


    pic
    [​IMG]

    I also ordered an XLR cable from Morrow Audio for going from the Freya to the Krell KSA-200S
    It is a Morrow Audio M4 Reference XLR cable with 24 runs of solid copper wiring (same as my RCAs)
    It cost me $249.00 shipped. Ouch. The XLR connection is so good sounding and absolutely silent. Me like.
    pic
    [​IMG]

    It won't be until 3 weeks from now until I get my cable. There is a wait time to build it. I'm sure it will be worth the wait.
     
    Last edited: Mar 21, 2017
  20. Big D Design

    Big D Design RIP 2021

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    I just love the sound of the Freya with the XLR balanced outputs. Is it better? Who the hell knows. But I sure like it. So glad to be back to a balanced connection. So quiet that you don't know it's on.

    Schiit Freya is such a great preamp. If you are starting out, or just itching to get yourself immersed into 2 channel stereo, the Schiit Freya is a building block that will stay in your system. It's so much better than so many other preamps out there. Then you can press a button and go to Passive listening and just hear the amplifier itself. I have done this for one hour stints with my new Krell KSA-200S. The amp is so musical that you are rewarded with fantastic sound. Switch it to JFET mode and it puts a little body on it. Switch to Tube mode and the music comes out detailed and just slightly smoother, depending what tubes you are using. It is recommended to not use a tube amplifier with Tube mode in the Freya. I tried it with the Vincent SP-331. Didn't work. Too much tube. Worked with JFET, but I wanted more. So I sold my Vincent.

    Buy this thing. You will never get rid of it.

    [​IMG]
     

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