ALSO: Oppo BDP-83SE Mk2 Upgrade $300

Only for SE - Special Edition - with Sabre DAC - not suitable for Standard Version

A QUICK SALE

Prototype Linear Current Loudspeaker - The 8 inch driver used here is the same as used in the Lenehan ML-3 ($7000) and ML-3 Signature ($14000). Can be driven with tube amps with high output Impedance a la Single-Ended-Triode amps. Tweeter is Monacor fitted with a Waveguide. This speaker has and 90dB Sensitivity, a flat 6 Ohm Impedance - arguably the easiest to drive loudspeaker ever.  $1000 Cash

-----------------------------------------------oooOOOooo-----------------------------------------------

  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

-----------------------------------------------oooOOOooo-----------------------------------------------

  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

-----------------------------------------------oooOOOooo-----------------------------------------------

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 - Upgraded Denon DVD-3910

Leading Edge Digital Clocking Technology

Terra Firma is here!

So what is Terra Firma? Read the article

Redefining Digital Playback

  Terra Firma AN ALTERNATIVE TO ATOMIC CLOCKS 

'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

NOW MARK 2

Projected Price AUD $1045 plus Import Cost of Basic Amp of KT88

For those who wish to Upgrade your KT88 from Mark 1 - $200 please contact me.

CONCEPTUAL SCHEMATIC:

Projected Price AUD $990 plus Import Cost of Basic Amp of EL34

Read Audiophile Society (ASoN) Shootout (load 0.5MB)

NICE ONLINE REVIEW by Digital Audio Review

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 5 - WAVEGUIDE & CROSSOVER UPGRADE

A "Current" Compatible Loudspeaker

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.

ELSINORE Mark 5 PROJECT KITS

Kit of Parts (all drivers & bits except the box itself) $2500 - 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 the late 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, now the first "current" compatible 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.

Improve Any Tube Power Amplifier

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