Canuck Audio Mart

I didn't know they had remotes. I may have to look into that when I send my Ovation in for upgrades. Thanks for the info! Let us know how your upgraded Encore sounds when you get it back, it would be much appreciated.

My EAD is not an Encore anymore,hasn't been since about the year 2000. I've already had three upgrades that were done by Dan Santoni, through Alternative Audio, where I bought the Encore new, when EAD was still a viable entity, and Dan was their registered tech for this area. It is now an Ovation-8 Signature and I'm almost embarrassed to admit that I have a total of $9300 cdn into the piece, so to let it go now, for a slight fraction of that ,doesn't seem to make much sense to me. Does putting another 12-15 hundred U.S. into it ,at this point ,make sense? Well for me I think it does. I have no use for HDMI, either for video switching,( always hook video sources directly to my monitor) or for audio, as the EAD's analogue pass-through is extremely good. I have talked to a couple of people who have had older Theatremasters upgraded by Noble, and they told me the results are spectacular. For the most part right now,I just want to get the analogue pass-through upgrade done. This is where Noble takes a set of three unused analogue inputs on the back of the processor and creates a new six channel pass -through that allows you to use your choice of RCA terminated cables instead of that ridiculous DB-25 connector and it uses a very high end, cotton dielectric, pure silver, internal interconnect in conjunction with a premium output stage, that brings the analogue pass-through performance up to a whole new level. The best part is that it's only $250 US installed plus shipping, and the existing pass-through still functions, so now you have two multi-channel analogue pass-throughs at your disposal. It's the shipping that's the scariest part and the main reason I haven't sent my Ovation-8 to Noble already. I have had a lot of trouble finding a really good quality six or eight channel pass-through cable with a DB-25 connector. The two different ones I got from EAD, one of them made by Tara Labs, who are owned by the same parent company as EAD, for the lack of a more succinct term, sucked. The only decent one I found was from Monster of all things, but it had to be re-wired as EAD's pin assignment for the DB-25 connector didn't correspond with THX, and the subwoofer solder keeps coming loose and it costs me sixty bucks every time to get it fixed because as the tech who does the soldering for me says" trying to solder a decent gauge cable onto a DB-25 connector pin is a bee-otch". I believe him! So, now I really want to be rid of that hassle, and the added convenience, choice of cable and sound quality improvement are all a bonus.

Yes they sell remotes. Check Nobles website. I think they are about $300 U.S. if I remember correctly, but don't hold me to that, it could be less I'm not sure.

I just checked the Noble website and the remote is the SRC-7000 and it costs $275 U.S.

Thanks, it's good to know Dan Santoni does work on EAD. I'd rather send it to him than to the states (Noble Electronics) and have a higher risk of shipping damage. My used replacement remote cost me $104 U.S. with shipping. I hope it works (don't have it yet), if not I now know where to get a new one.

It sounds like you have an amazing processor/preamp there. It takes money to have the best. It must sound great! And it's nice to hear there are other EAD users out there. I just finished watching Dario Argento's "The Three Mothers" on my new TheaterVision p player. A very nice picture and audio from an older player, gotta love EAD!

Yes Dan is a stellar tech. Unfortunately from what I can gather recently, he now only accepts work through the dealers he is affiliated with. Secondly, even though Noble are aware of Dan and his abilities it seems they are unwilling to send Dan ,or any other tech for that matter, not employed by them, the parts or the schematics and the instructions, to expedite repairs on EAD equipment anymore. I know, I asked them and that is what they told me. They said it is because it would be too difficult and time consuming to print up detailed installation instructions for the upgrades. Instructions that even experienced techs would need to properly perform the work. I think this may just be an excuse. It's really hard to blame them if you think about it rationally. Here is a shop manned by former EAD designers and technicians, who's sole purpose for being now, is to repair and upgrade the components that they originally helped design and build. It would kind of be like shooting themselves in the foot if they allowed other outside people to service this gear. I know there are a couple of the more simple upgrades that Noble will sell to consumers, and ship, for do it yourself purposes. If you do decide to send your processor off to Noble make sure they will agree to ship it back with some other courier than UPS. A friend of mine had to send his EAD 1000 series DAC to Noble recently for repair because Dan, whom he sent it to first, could not get parts to repair it, and when they shipped it back via UPS my friend got nailed with an outrageous brokerage fee, which UPS then duplicated for Noble, who in turn wanted my friend to pay. I kid you not. This is why I mentioned in my previous post that the shipping is the part that scares me. If they refuse to use USPS for my unit I guess I will have to put up with the lousy DB-25 connector on my pass-through input.

Yes, my processor does sound quite good. The extensive upgrades that Noble now offer however are supposed to bring the sound quality to the level where my processor will compete with dedicated two channel pre-amps in its price class. Even as it stands now, while not quite in the same class performance wise as dedicated two channel pre's in it's price range it still comes closer than most high end pre/pro's out there. If you can find one of the pre/pro's from Sim Audio, either the initial one which was based on the EAD pre/pro but with better analogue output stages, or their more recent one, the Stargate, I would go for it, these outperform the base EAD units, and they can be had for a mere fraction of their original cost.

Okay, thanks for the heads up.

I don't ship anything by UPS anymore with their outrageous fees. I just had a turntable (Dual 1019) sent by USPS that arrived in pieces, so there is no guarantee that shipping is safe by any carrier. The seller did refund me for the table (his packaging was not so hot) so it worked out in the end.

I can understand Noble Electronics trying to reduce the competition as they have a very small market. I hope they can stay in business.

Gupper:
I sent you a PM.

Does anyone know if you can buy Integra 9.8 or 9.9 online?

Try videogon or audiogon for US gear.

I spoke with the local integra dealer and they have the DHC-9.9 processors on sale now. Other Canada dealers should too.

I've just ordered the new Integra DHC-40.1 processor myself from a US dealer. $1200 US MSRP and one can do better. What a great price. But Canada is crazy. $1800 MSRP.

IMO the newest processors are worth it. The 40.1 has network capability. Good stuff.

There is a classe SSP-600 on here now, asking $2500. I'm sure that that would be an extraordinary unit.

Down to $2250 now.

The only problem with the Classe is the lack of HDMI inputs. For less than a used Classe, you can get a new Integra with everything. I think my choice has been made - Integra.

The Integra is a good choice. As far as HDMI goes I would only use it for video in a direct connection between source and monitor. For multi-channel audio there are still some bugs with the HDMI interface and a good RCA based analogue pass-through on a top flight pre/pro will outperform HDMI when transmitting mutlti-channel signals whether it be the new hi-rez codecs for Blu-ray, or SACD and DVD-Audio. With this in mind HDMI isn't really a factor, other than the cost and inconvience of having to use three pairs of interconnects instead of one cable. I say, so what? Further in relation to this the Integra is just not in the same class as the Classe as far as audio quality goes especially for two cahnnel and analogue pass-through modes, IMHO. That goes for the likes of pre/pro's from EAD, Moon, Krell, Parasound Halo etc, as well, all of which are very reliable,(no moving parts) and much cheaper than a new 9.9 when purchased used.

Such as?



Or if you have more than 1 multi-channel sources but I guess I'm not the norm: Blu-ray + HD-DVD (well, I still have a few unopened HD-DVDs on my shelf ) + PS3 + laptop - all hi-res audio capable. You can argue I can just use optical TOSLINK for my PS3, my HD-DVD player should belong to the history and why do I connect my laptop to my receiver/pre-pro? Oh well.

But if you are using analog audio connections those old and trusty hi-end pre-pro's from Classe', etc. are not bad choices

The Classe SSP-600 is nice but it doesn't have the newest codecs (for blu ray, etc), HDMI, networking, or room correction. It basically has the same connectivitiy as my 2001 flagship AV receiver. It really is a ways behind the technology curve. The newer Classe's have some of the important newer features.

I do agree the Classe would be better for 2 channel sound quality. It's just that my guess is that most people will have separate systems when it comes between 2 channel and HT (in the price range of the OP's processor request). So it isn't a huge priority for many people to give up so much HT capability for a little SQ improvement (and mostly in 2 channel and pass through modes). Still, for a few people these are important considerations.

Good points from all sides.



Congratulations. I'm sure you'll be happy.

Also, if you are interested in the 9.9 processor then the new DHC-80.1 is the new logical upgrade. You may be interested in that as well, but it is significantly more expensive than the 40.1. Lot's of info on the net. Rumour is Integra is holding out releasing it officially until the 9.9 stock is exhausted. Hence the 9.9 deals.

The 40.1 looks like an amazing unit but so does the 80.1. Not sure if the extra $1100 is justified but I always prefer balanced outputs. However, at $1200 and $2300 for the 40.1 or 80.1 these seem like great bargains. Can't wait to find a dealer and have a listen.

http://www.gspr.com/integra/ced09.html