Edited: Eh, nvm. Need to stay focused.

New feet layout and reconfiguration? That's going to cost you extra?

If I were take this theory of gankage into the extra theoretical and neigh paranoid realm.. I mean if he ganked my feet who knows what else he stripped out of my amp. I remember asking him when I was asking him about the amp whether or not it was maxxed out and he was like yes definitely. Super maxed out. And I asked if there were audionote/v-caps in it and he was like yes definitely. Well as you can see there are no audionote/v-caps.

Looking at the design as it is now I don't see where v-caps or audio note caps are even applicable.

Actually that reminds me to dig up this:

Dan Chow
to Richard

show details 6/24/07 [Singlepower Electrostatic Amplifier ES-1.xls]


Reply


Since I originally was talking to Mikhail about ordering one someday (Like next year with a payment plan) I had him send me specs:

This is what he sent me, how's this compare to the specs of your amp?


Hi Dan,

That's right. I have the original invoice and configuration for the amplifier. It is what I thought, Rob lives in Plano. The transformer upgrade and the silver wire audio section.

There are lots of upgrades available. Here's the spreadsheet attached to this Email with configuration options. This includes the host of options available, there are some others that I'll send you as well with the other detailed configuration options.

Also, below are the options for the SS-1 that we are completing the configuration on:
Solid-state amplifier with custom chassis configuration:

Reference Section includes:

# 12 Mosfet per channel output running high dissipation class A
# High efficiency cooling system for output devices and differential circuits.
# All Mosfets matched in phase sections and in all four channels
# Teflon milled boards for each output device.
# Tantalum Nitride resistors.
# All associated transistors matched in phase and in all four sections
# All resistors matched to within .01% using Rhoderstien resistors
# Balanced configuration in four separate monoblock units
# NX top grade, Black Gate capacitors in audio section
# Shiltech wiring on signal paths and connection paths
# Teflon milled dividers and insulators for signal path connections
# One absoute direct path input XLR inputs for balanced, Two XLR inputs selectable with a disconnect switch for direct path.
# Two sets of preamp outputs balanced. One set for reference output, one for tunable circuit. Second set is switchable between reference section, and tunable circuit.
# Gold Neutrik XLR input and output connectors
# Two sets of S/E input jacks, can be bridged for S/E high power, or run as 4 channels S/E.
# Cardas Rhodium GFRA S/E input jacks for SE operation, one set for reference section and one set for tunable section.
# One single ended headphone jack.
# Audio Note silver preamp section coupling capacitors.
# Singlepower designed stepped attenuators for volume control.


Tunable Circuit

# 18 Mosfet per channel output running high dissipation class A, three separate banks for adjusting power output and sonics, selectable.
# High efficiency cooling system for output devices.
# All Mosfets matched in phase sections and in all four channels
# Teflon milled boards for each output device, and differential circuits.
# Tantalum Nitride resistors.
# All associated transistors matched in phase and in all four sections
# All resistors matched to within .01% using Rhoderstien resistors
# Balanced configuration in four separate monoblock units
# NX top grade, Black Gate capacitors in audio section
# Shiltech wiring on signal paths and connection paths
# Audio Note silver preamp section coupling capacitors, three value selections for adjusting sonics.
# Selectable biasing switch for operating output sections and differential devices at 5 selectable levels.
# Input section frequency response adjustment selector switch with 6 selectable levels.
# Two XLR inputs selectable as listed above with direct disconnect as above in reference section, one set for both sections.
# Two sets of preamp outputs balanced. One set for reference output, one for tunable circuit. Second set is switchable between reference section, and tunable circuit.
# Gold Neutrik XLR input and output connectors
# Two sets of S/E input jacks, can be bridged for S/E high power, or run as 4 channels S/E
# Cardas Rhodium GFRA S/E input jacks for SE operation, one set for reference section and one set for tunable section.
# One single ended headphone jack.
# Digital stepped attenuator volume control, with digital display.


Poer Supply:

Four isolated separate power supplies in a separate single power section chassis

# Large NX top grade Black Gate power supply capacitor sections in power supply
# 4 transformers for power supply sections
# Very tight regulation for each monoblock power supply section
# Audio Note shunt capacitors for regualtion circuit
# Eight regulated output sections for each circuit.
# V-Cap Teflon capacitors for final regulation stage shunt devices.
# High efficiency power supply heat transfer coupling material
# Custom milled heat sinks for output devices, these are part of the milled side panels of the chassis.
# Hard Gold power connector contacts.
# Shiltech wiring for all power supply paths
# High current, low resistance Shiltech umbilical cables.


Chassis:


# Center Deck 1/4" milled separator between reference circuit and output circuits.
# Isolation chambers for each power supply section internally
# Gun-Metal finish chassis, with brighter polished corner posts
# Milled shaped front panel
# Black Diamond racing carbon fiber feet for power supply and coupling spikes for audio section.



Total cost of unit with SDS style chassis in above configuration Gun-Metal finish, corner posts: $17,250

Total cost of unit with SDS style chassis in Black finish, accented polished corner posts as you current have: $16,500.

Total cost of unit with SDS style chassis in Polished Black finish: $15,700

Total cost of unit with SDS style chassis in Polished Chrome finish: $17,400

Total cost of unit with SDS style chassis in Polished Gun-Metal Blued finish: $16,900


Thanks Again,
Mikhail

And:

Richard Kim
to me

show details 6/24/07


Reply


the specs are based on my amp

You tell me how much of that stuff you see in the amp

So I mean "based on" doesn't equate to matches closely... I never got detailed emails from Richard or Mikhail regarding what exactly was in there and how the design gelled though I did ask and both did promise to send it to me:

Dan Chow
to Richard

show details 7/29/07


Reply


Can you forward me all the emails Mikhail sent regarding design/function? I'd like to look over them before the final, final decision though as of now I am 100 percent sold.

I tried playing a bit with the fun section with the hd650s but I was a bit scared to really turn the dials more than 1 or at most 2 clicks. Though I did turn capacitance all the way, as it was the only one that didn't produce a distortion sound while in the turning process, and turned all the way the sound just cuts out though it comes back after you turn it down a notch. I hope I was correct in assuming that facing the dials all the way left is 0 or off and all the way right is max. I didn't go full bore with them but the changes seemed a bit more subtle than what I was expecting so I was kind of curious if Mikhail relayed to you, or you just happen to know how messing with each dial affects the sound.


Thanks!
Daniel Chow

When he next talked on the phone he'd always agree.. shrug I understand there may have been quite a few emails and it would have been a pain to forward esp if they aren't bound to a nice gmail thread or something... but... aghglgh I wish I didn't give up after I got the amp in my possession. I know I asked Mikhail for it after the fact and I believe Richard too as well later on.. but eventually I gave up.

Either way.. either Mikhail ganked stuff out of the amp or most of it was never in there in the first place... I mean I did ask him repeatedly is Richard's SS-1 better or worse than that config he sent me and he would say that Richard's was the best ever made and would be 25-30k to replicate blah blah. Yes there were some circuit tweaks discovered after the fact blah blah, but mine is still best.

Edit: In fact further digging turned up this:

Singlepower Audio Sales
to me

show details 6/25/07


Reply


Dan, The design itself has been updated in the build, but otherwise it is similar to the unit we made for Richard. We can add more power to this unit as well with a larger output section.

Thanks,
Mikhail

----- Original Message -----
From: Dan Chow
To: Singlepower Audio Inc.
- Hide quoted text -
Sent: Friday, June 22, 2007 11:29 PM
Subject: Re: Greeting Mikhail re: Icarium from head-fi re. about interest in SS1

Also what are the differences between the design you listed vs Richard's? Is the one you listed as maxed as his? Or more so? And is it more up to date?

Have you taken the list that Mikhail said he put in your Amp and then gone to a trusted tech, repair guy to verify that your amp is what you paid for?

That would be interesting to note.

Does anyone know how many of these $16,000 amps are out there? And do they sound so good to warrant that kind of crazy price? Just curious.

If he ripped things out, then that could explain the difference between the cable mess in your amp compared to the more sane-looking picture of that other amp that was posted recently.

Icarium, I could probably find you a referral to a shrink near you - why the hell even consider prolonging this nonsense? It is long past time to move on in your life.
I would not let this guy in my home for any contrived reason.....instead I'd file a lawsuit against him in my own locale. Most people will not answer outside their own city. There, a default judgment - then it's up to you what you want to do, eg. turn the judgment over to a collector.....eventually a bad debt write-off (check with your CPA as to proofs). There are better things to do with ones' time.
Even if he shows up in court for the first appearance - handle it pro se.

There is no excuse for sloppy wiring, especially at those insanely high prices

Quote:



I'm not sure it's accurate to say people are "defending" SP or Mikhail. I think some people are sharing their experiences -- a substantial number of which have been positive -- to provide a little perspective on a thread that really has become a "feeding frenzy." I realize the people who have been ripped off lately are very upset, and I would be too, but you've got lots of comments from folks who probably never even dealt with SP who more or less chanting "burn him at the stake." A little less emotion (from the folks who have not been vicitimized), and a little perspective (the murder analogy is pushing it -- every company has at least one customer who probably claims they have been ripped off) is probably appropriate.

[Withdrawn]

PhilS, I see you have a singlepower unit in your profile. What's your like inside? (If I may ask even though I don't have one myself and so am not directly involved in this...)

(Did you actually get the stuff you paid for?)

Quote:



Well... a very well respected amp designer has already confirmed that many of the original claims of what's supposed to be in the amp are not there. So either Mikhail sent back a significantly different amp than was sent to him, or he flat out lied about what was in it to the original buyer...

Quote:



I have never looked inside. I didn't look inside when people were raising issues a few years ago, and I haven't recently. Perhaps I too need a "shrink."

Seriously, I've had the amp for 4 1/2 years now, and it has always run perfectly. It sounds absolutely awesome. I still can't get over today how good it sounds. To me, how the music sounds is the critical issue. Sure, I'd like the amp to look nice on the outside, but if it looks internally like what you see in posts #1205 or #1262, that's fine with me. To paraphrase something I said a few years ago, if Mikhail told me today he could rewire my amp to be "acceptable" to the most vocal critics of his work (and assuming I had 100% confidence I could get it back in a month or less), I wouldn't do it, as I would be concerned the sound might change.

Again, that's doesn't mean that anything Mikhakl has done recently is defensible,or that his wiring is what it "should" be (I'm not an engineer or DIY guy); I care about what the music sounds like.

Some people don't want to open their amps because they'll let out the magic smoke. But Phils, or anyone else, shouldn't open their amps if they're not comfortable working with lethal voltages.

There's leathal voltage waiting inside my amplifier even if I disconnect it?