The One and Only Big D Thread

Very zen, your sensei would be proud, Takayama.

 

@Dino
Will post in the other section here.... http://www.superbestaudiofriends.or...mps-and-the-interwebz.4067/page-6#post-126556
Should have some time later on today.

 

All shots are taken with Windows Lumina 640 Phones.

 

Looks like your two main threads are merged into this one now.

Edit: This one is called "The One and Only Big D Thread".

 

No TV, @Big D Design ! Good. I hate Television.

981 Boxster is a great car. It'll feel fast compared to the 86, slow as balls compared to the Roush. But it sounds gorgeous and is a very entertaining drive. Don't push the limits on public roads, though. They're too high. 6 - 7/10ths is enough to have fun in a Porsche.

 

A convertible is in my future. Seems like the Boxster is the fit for me. I like the interior, and the motor, 2016 looks improved. Nothing else tickles.

 

@Dino as requested


1992 Maxima SE 5 speed Limited Slip No ABS Model
3.0 liter - 32 valve - variable valve timing - direct ignition
------------------------------------------------------------------

Engine: estimated HP at crank over 300hp (race gas dependent)
2 Low mileage JDM motors from Japan (one was stolen when moving)
JDM Motor for Maxima has different emmissions more powerful

Warpspeed Performance complete from manifold exhaust system to

Pacesetter Monza exhaust - High flow metal cat

Custom Intake with ram air going into 4" with filter stainless steel

tubing. Tested to have best mid-high end power

ECU set for racing octane booster with nitro methane

Fidanza 2 piece ultra lightweight flywheel
Stage One clutch kit. Stainless steel clutch line

Billet crank pulley with reduction for better revving

Denzo spark plugs

Pacesetter short throw shifter

-------------------------------------------------------------------

Suspension: Race Suspension upgrade done after 13 years ownership

Toyiko shocks
Adjustable camber links front and back
Urethane Bushings throughout
2" Lowering Springs (forget brand)
Unique mount front sway bar thicker than Firebird W-6 sway bar
Front sway bar hangs 3" off ground - massive - heavy
Unique Mount rear sway bar
Can't remember company name that made it. Maybe it will come to me
Titanium Front Strut Tower Brace ($300)

------------------------------------------------------------------

Brakes - Wheels - Tires:

Brakes
EBC Yellow Pads
Slotted Rotors
Painted Calipers
Stop-Tech stainless steel brake lines

Wheels
Kosei KtS1 Japanese Racing Rims 15lb

Tires
Dunlop Direzza Star Spec 225/15

-----------------------------------------------------------------

Maxima drives like a Jeep on bumpy roads. Unforgiving. Very stiff suspension. High speed stability is quite a feat with these upgrades. Can hit bumps and just laugh at them at triple digit speeds. Car recovers so well from undulations in the road when you need it most. Interstate freak of nature. Needs smooth roads to really enjoy cruising around. Otherwise it's like driving in a Jeep. My 86 or Mustang can't compete at high speeds to the Maxima. You trust the Maxima. You risk life in the other cars to some extent.

 

Biggus Dickus better stop dicking around or be snipped.

 

@Psalmanazar
Your friend @Dino requested this info.

 

It was interesting, Big D. You certainly went all out. Looks like you took that "4 Door Sports Car" thing that Nissan had going on back then seriously!

 

I lived in North San Diego County at the time that the car was being designed by an American named Jerry Heirchberg (spelled wrong). Nissan gave him the reins to build a car for a six foot American. I lived 2 miles away from the design studio and used to stalk the place. Not many 4 doors have come since that time that had the whole driving experience and so much room for it's size. BMW yes, but not anyone else.

 

Mark Levinson No.331 Class A Amplifier "Mark"
100 watts/ch 8 ohms
200 watts/ch 4 ohms
400 watts/ch 2 ohms

Day One Impressions....
Pic


112lbs is a lot of amplifier. Runs quite cool. It's been sitting for a few months, so I don't take much out of the first day review of it. Let's say that with all these circuits and capacitors, there is a lot to warm up and get back in working order again.

Managed to take out of box myself in the middle of the night last night with quite a bit of alcohol in me. More than usual and got the balls to bring it up from the garage and lift the darn thing onto it's special table. Heavy yes. Drunk yes. No problem at 2:00am.

Initial sound impressions after over 4 hours of listening. Larger soundstage than Krell KST-100. Not as forward sounding vocals. Seems to be a bit of a problem. No that it can't be rectified, there is a third row about the vocals compared to the Krell and even the NuPrime STA-9 with the presentation of the vocals. I suspect that it can be adjusted and is not something that cannot be fixed. The stereo separation is so pronounced, to the point that I was wondering what the hell was going on here. Is it realistic? Too soon to tell. When turning up the volume the amp reacts in a different way than the Krell KST-100. It stays linear and gets louder that way. The Krell brings you in closer and defines each instrument with more realism. The Krell is more dynamic in presentation. The Mark is more very wide soundstage with great reproduction of the music, but I am not quite there yet. If I had spent all this money and had the results I'm hearing today, I would not be happy that I spent so much.

Mark is in his 1st day of review. Things will get better I'm sure. I'm going to try balanced inputs, and sometimes these damn things like that. Could be just more warming up. Maybe just a silly change of interconnects. If this stuff was simple, well.... anyway the mission is to bring one of the flagships of the past into the sound requirements of my ears. It can be done, so it will be done. Stay tuned. Now for a commercial from our sponsor...

 

I feel that the one single philosophical approach that can be of any effect here is the good ol' adage:

 

There seems to a something going on over at Big D Labs (livingroom). Hate to say it. Another one bites the dust, and is going back in the box for sale. It's Mark. Second day of listening tests revealed some things about the amplifier that could not get on the good side of my Martin Logans. Spoke with some about it over the Phone that has both Krell and Mark Levinson amps in stock. They were honest and frank with me as to how to approach my quest of Vintage Solid State amplifiers that go hand and hand with Martin Logan speakers. Mark works well, just not for my favorite brand.

Krell is the hands down favorite. Not one other alternative was mentioned over the phone. Mentioned my Krell KST-100, and I got feedback that it is a cheaper unit with substandard parts for $3,000.00 compared to the $5,000.000 KSA models. Knew that. So the consensus was to move up to the KSA and don't look back.

"So which KSA is their favorite, I asked?"
Krell KSA-200S. The Martin Logan's best friend.

Krell KSA-200S just recapped will be in Big D Labs on Friday. Done.
200 watts/ch 8ohms
400 watts/ch 4ohms
800 watts/ch 2ohms
1600 watts/ch 1ohm
Original MSRP $7,500.00

Pic

So my amplifier collection will consist of 2 Krell amplifiers. All others kicked out the door.

 

Here is a couple of more pics of the Krell KSA-200S
Inside speaks for itself in overkill. Power reserves abound.



Word is that the Krell caps last 10 years.

 

Thoes are some big caps.
and that round thing is big too.

Also that faceplate looks unnecessarily big and complex.

 

@spwath
Biggest capacitors I've ever seen for a 200 watt/ch amp.

 

Do they say their value?

 

You know how I swear by having 2 REL subs, one for each channel.
Suncoast Audio had a Dealer Event early this March that was showcased in Stereophile.
The RELs were in the mix just where I like 'em. Man that system looks good.
Pic

Looks like 2 REL Gibraltar G-1s
Not sure why seating area is so far back.