NEW
DIY FOR AUGUST 2010
The SOFF Loudspeaker
The SOFF
DIYSpeaker is a new type of speaker
designed for non-Voltage Amplifiers
The SOFF
Loudspeaker - With Near Pure Resistive Load
It's design goals are different
from any commercial speaker ever conceived presenting close to a pure
resistance to the amplifier. It is DIY, not a commercial design. I
designed because I saw it as a challenge and also an assault of the myth
of high damping factor. Indeed the SOFF speaker works better with
amplifiers with a damping factor of one or less.
Click here for
ASoN article reproduced on this website
Email:
joeras@vacuumstate.com
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Terra Firma
AN ALTERNATIVE TO ATOMIC CLOCKS
Terra Firma
compatible upgrades may reveal hitherto unimagined performance in your
current CD, SACD or DVD Player. Don't buy an expensive new player before
investigating the alternative, this may reveal a superior audio player you
can afford now. Or read about the new affordable
JLTi
Terra Firma Blu-Ray
Player that competes with anything out there.
Email:
terra-firma@customanalogue.com
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Leading Edge
TUBE AMPLIFIER UPGRADES
Do you have
a Tube Amplifier? Are you aware that upgrading,
fitting the LEM Output Transformer Booster module, Virtual Triode
Operation and eschewing negative feedback, will transform what you
already have. The majority of Tube Amplifiers
and Integrated Amps are upgradeable
and reported feedback extremely satisfactory. Very cost effective too.
Email:
joeras@vacuumstate.com
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READ
WORLD-WIDE "Terra Firma" RELEASE FROM
"Are you sure that's not analogue?
This is the biggest joy - an analogue sound with not a trace of digital
edge... I had to keep pinching myself that I was not listening to vinyl!
I'm afraid my Linn will be gathering dust due to this upgrade - who needs
it now!" W.H. Queensland - Denon DVD-3910
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Now Level 2 with Positive
FeedForward Correction
State-of-the-Art Dedicated Stereo Playback
for under AUD $4000
($1650 if you supply
player)
Prices:
Make Enquiry
First User Review
Here...
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Upgraded Standard Oppo Blue-Ray Player
Level 1 Upgrade -
AUD $1950.00
Region Unlocked
Super Level 2 Upgrade
- AUD $2500.00
Region Unlocked
Super Level 2 Mark 2 -
AUD $2500.00
Region Unlocked
Read First
Review of Super Level 2
Level 1 Upgrade only -
AUD $880.00 (you supply the Player)
Super Level 2 Upgrade
only - AUD $1430.00 (you supply the Player)
Upgrade from Level 1
to Super Level 2 - AUD $550.00
Super Level 2 Mk2 uses
simulated Current Conversion
Below: Super Level 2 uses
QuadFilar Transformers & fully balanced
(Oppo SE Version available from
January - for upgrades read
this...)
The new
JLTi Oppo Blue_Ray Multi-Player with
full Terra Firma
upgraded clock, Custom Output Stages - no IC Opamps in the circuit - and
our exclusive Back-EMF Noise Reduction -
enquiries welcome.
Terra Firma
AN ALTERNATIVE TO ATOMIC CLOCKS
Available Now!
32 Bit JLTi
Terra Firma
Multi-Player
Based on Oppo Special Edition
BluRay with ESS 32 Bit DAC
with Positive Feedforward
Correction
Projected Prices Including
Multi-Region:
with Current Conversion Module
& Positive Feedforward Correction
AUD $3300
($1650 if you supply
player)
Leading Edge Digital Clocking
Technology
Terra Firma is here!
So what
is
Terra Firma?
Read the
article
Redefining Digital Playback
AUDIO
FORUMS
REACTIONS PLUS
FEEDBACK IS POURING IN!
Terra Firma
AN ALTERNATIVE TO ATOMIC CLOCKS
Typical New Install
$800 (includes other bonus
enhancements)
(For our earlier upgraded
players, please enquire)
REVIEWS GALORE
The best dollars I have ever spent [on audio].
Matthew Foyle, NSW, Australia
"I just received [Oppo] 980H today and out of the
box it absolutely smokes my Marantz SA-17... I didn't realise how dead my
front end was till today, it is astounding."
Dart6 (New Zealand),
audiogon.com, Dec '08
'It would be hard for me to undervalue this...,
it has transformed what was already a very good player into a
a player that transcends what I thought was possible out of digital...
There is an improvement in definition across the entire spectrum... what
is more important is how the machine loses the last
vestiges of what I can only describe as a "mechanical" presentation,
which I have heard in every single disc player I have heard until now,
and replaces that with [a sense of] ease. Music simply breathes;
expands and contracts in volume without strain, is achingly pure yet full
bodied.
I am now hearing more than ever but without any
sense of etching or over-emphasis of detail. SACD's on this machine
fulfill the promise of the medium, and surpass what I had thought
possible... this is a whole new ballgame, where
musicians become much more physical entities in my listening room.
The extra level of nuance and resolution is just great. I love it! This is
nothing short of a breakthrough as far as I am concerned."
Rob Ferguson, New Zealand
"Whatever Joe comes up with after this, nothing
he will ever do will be as good as this."
John Wines, NSW, Australia
Many more reviews
here...
It may look like the audio scene is full of smart people
but it is not really like that. In fact, only a fraction of them fulfill
[that] criteria... and makes the audio wheel spinning, or moves it
forward, if you like. If I had to name some, people like Jean Hiraga,
...as the Vacuum State guys do, Allen Wright and Joe Rasmussen.
Pedja Rogic, Audial,
Mono & Stereo
Interview
Projected Price AUD $880 plus Import Cost of
Basic Amp of KT88
Projected Price AUD $990 plus Import Cost of
Basic Amp of EL34
Read Audiophile
Society (ASoN) Shootout (load 0.5MB)
(The KT88 version is better value for
the money)
IDEAL AMPLIFIERS FOR ELSINORE LOUDSPEAKERS
Based on a Chinese OEM manufactured EL34 Tube Integrated Amplifier,
rebuilt to our JLTi Standard. Incorporates new 2008 tube technology, such
as the L.E.M., which is a module that literally super-charges the
performance of the Output Transformers in such a way that they outperform
even Amorphous Cores (expensive and lower power). In addition, it
uses a new method of Triode mode, which we call "Virtual Triode Operation"
as well as other clever design ideas. If you cannot afford the Vacuum
State prices for SVP, RTP and DPA-300B preamps and power amps, then this
will get you much of that level of performance at a fraction of the cost.
These are music lovers amps, not Hi-Fi amps, highly refined,
grainless, liquid and surprisingly handles both micro and macro dynamics
effortlessly, ultra-smooth, yet wonderfully full bodied and a bass
quality that belies its humble power rating. Orders for Australasia will
be taken now. Read more...
"The amp is STUNNING! And I can
convey just how good with one example - even my wife remarked how good it
sounded! Many thanks, I can't tear myself away from listening to it.
People buy speakers not realizing that an amp can make an even greater
difference. Warwick Piper, SA
"Thanks Joe, my amp just sings!
Matthew Foley, NSW
NOW MARK 4 - SIMPLE CROSSOVER UPGRADE
Arguably The World's Largest Online Speaker Project
- 100 Plus Pages
(if printed out)
"To my opinion the performance is now on
par or even better than the Avalon Eidolon."
Hans Hammerbauer, Switzerland
A World Class Speaker
that only needs 18 Watt per channel under most circumstances.
Kit of Parts (all drivers & bits
except the box itself)
$2200
- Usually 2 Weeks Delivery
Mission Statement
It is all about value for money,
helping you getting high performance audio at a reasonable cost.
Custom Analogue Audio is situated in Sydney,
Australia. It is registered business in the state of NSW, solely owned by
Joe Rasmussen, and the name tells exactly what we aim to do. We specialise
in valve/tube equipment, often refurbishment, some repairs (but
not a repair business), specialised in some Solid State products
based on our own R&D. You will be surprised by what we can do.
We upgrade selected and/or
suitable digital CD DVD and SACD Players, as well as models you may
already own, subject to their potential (I won't waste your money).
Proprietary clock technology,
specifically the way the clock is powered, we are world
leaders and that is not an empty overstatement.
Much of the technology is indeed
proprietary and developed with along with others, most particularly with
Vacuum State in Switzerland owned
by Mr. Allen Wright. Other collaborators are from the U.S., UK and Europe
etc.
Custom Analogue
Audio also does leading edge R&D work into improving
multi-way loudspeaker technology using innovative minimum and linear
phase crossover philosophy being shared with select speaker firms. The
vehicle to publicly describe this approach is the
Elsinore Loudspeaker on this website.
Rebuilding Tube Amplifiers,
particularly Power and Integrated Amplifiers, is a high value service for
those with existing models. These can be upgraded to an audio performance
that is sublime, and capable of dynamics that Solid State amplifiers
barely hint at. These amplifiers, converted to Virtual
Triode
Operation,
sound far more powerful than their rated output indicate. If in
Sydney, or coming to Sydney, please give us a chance to demonstrate this.
An exclusive service offered by
Custom Analogue Audio is the
L.E.M., the add-on module that will upgrade and super-charge any
output transformer used in any tube Power or Integrated Amplifier, without
even removing or changing the transformer itself. Combine this with our
special method of converting the output stage to to
Virtual Triode Operation,
and your old amp will be ready to be aimed at the moon.
We also rebuild or improve some
Preamplifiers and custom make new ones. This can be anything from a simple
and inexpensive upgrade to complex rebuilds and new FVP-5B Phono PreAmp,
but always delivering value. If you are an owner of an older
Vacuum State FVP Preamp, this can be upgraded to a preamp that
competes with commercially available products selling for $10,000 or a new
FVP5B can be built to order. It is simply a killer preamp, even if some
were made twenty years ago and then upgraded with time over twenty years.
Also, new Solid State preamps, even Microphone Preamps for Studio use,
based on our own exclusive R&D. No negative feedback, large bandwidth,
best non-tube sound imaginable and reasonable cost. The technology is
based on the amazing
JLTi Phono Stage that
is now commercially available and is arguably the best value Moving Coil
Phono Stage available under $6,000. If in the U.S., contact
Audio Revelation.
We
welcome visitors and the opportunity to demonstrate what we can do.
Please bring some familiar music, whether CDs, SACDs or Vinyl. The
atmosphere will be very different from that of a shop, there is no
obligation to buy anything, as it is mostly services that we make
available rather than specific products to sell. Just enjoy the
experience.
L.E.M.
Linearity Enhancement Module
International Version to Suit 115V-230V AC
Now
Available
L.E.M. is a module that fits
inside your Tube Power Amplifier that enhances the performance of the
Output Transformer. How does it do that? It is
not well known that Output Transformers suffer from lower
resolution at low signal levels due to the Permeability slide factor as
publicly described by Menno
Vanderveen (member of the Audio Engineering Society), the Dutch
transformer designer (for
Plitron and more). The L.E.M. works by exciting the Output Transformer
at very high frequencies near the edge of its bandwidth, so there is a
constant signal going through the transformer preventing the Permeability
to slide below a certain point. Resolution is always kept high, audible
grain is prevented, blacker backgrounds due to better dynamic shading,
bass fundamental improved and more. Improves
any Tube Power Amplifier.
According to Menno Vanderveen, the flux density can go as low as 40
nanoTestla @ 4KHz - as weak as the Earth's magnetic field.
For the time being this is
offered in Australia alone, the projected price is $300 for a Stereo
amplifier and $360 for Mono Blocks, fully fitted.
Email
joeras@vacuumstate.com
The L.E.M. has also proved to be beneficial to some Solid State
Integrated and Power Amplifiers. Especially successful in improving the
novel "Gainclone" type of amplifier, such as the JLTi Integrated. Since
these have no output transformer, it is clear that something else is at
work. While not as easy to define, it would help keep the transconductance
of the solid state output devices higher at lower signal/current levels.
Also, the higher rise time of the L.E.M. signal will accelerate the
transition through the zero point, thus reducing crossover artefacts. The
sonic improvement is the actual proof - the rest is academic.
LEM fitted EL34 Tube Amplifier available, also KT88
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