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REVIEW: RedWineAudio Isabella tube Preamp/DAC/Headphone amp - Page 2

post #16 of 86
10/2/08 at 3:02am
When will we see a standalone Isabellina?
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post #17 of 86
10/2/08 at 3:07am
I wonder, how well does it sound when connected to a PC using COAX? jitter and so on?
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post #18 of 86
10/2/08 at 4:49am
Quote:
Originally Posted by M3NTAL View Post
When will we see a standalone Isabellina?
Well, seems like you have missed out. Cause its been here for about 2 months.
Red Wine Audio Isabellina

Picture of my Isabellina, Signature 30.2, ...
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post #19 of 86
10/2/08 at 7:58am
It is really tempting to get it!
I mean
If it can replace 3 items for one (DAC, PRE and AMP for headphones) that can be really GREAT !
So
Does it do it ?
I am sure it is a great dac
But what about the headphones amp? can it be in the same class like the stand alone that cost from 1000 to 2000$ and more?
(The Zana Deux ) for example
?
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post #20 of 86
10/2/08 at 9:28am
Thread Starter 
I could not do a side-by-side with the Isabella and the Zana, since I have only heard the Zana at meets, but there is still no doubt in my mind that the Isabella is the better sounding headphone amp. I did not feel the Zana was any better than my Singlepower Extreme. I did feel the Isabella was better than the Extreme.

I would love to see Vinne/RWA make a headphone-amp only version of the Isabella at a reduced price as well
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post #21 of 86
10/2/08 at 10:26am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Skylab View Post
I could not do a side-by-side with the Isabella and the Zana, since I have only heard the Zana at meets, but there is still no doubt in my mind that the Isabella is the better sounding headphone amp. I did not feel the Zana was any better than my Singlepower Extreme. I did feel the Isabella was better than the Extreme.

I would love to see Vinne/RWA make a headphone-amp only version of the Isabella at a reduced price as well
That good ?!
A all in one box that can be that good?
Are you sure?
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post #22 of 86
10/2/08 at 10:44am
Thread Starter 
This not your run-of-the-mill all in one AT ALL.
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post #23 of 86
10/2/08 at 11:01am
I am sure about it!
But
I didn't find to much about the amp (info)
I know that because of the poplar raising of headphones amp - seem like many brands "push" this thing into their products
I won't be surprise if I will buy a micro wave with headphones amp

So, I wonder how good it is
With maybe more depth into it, like testing it with Grado GS1000 and Senn 650 and AKG and so on
With many kinds of music and styles and so on
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post #24 of 86
10/2/08 at 11:52am
Quote:
Originally Posted by HeadLover View Post
I am sure about it!
But
I didn't find to much about the amp (info)
I know that because of the poplar raising of headphones amp - seem like many brands "push" this thing into their products
I won't be surprise if I will buy a micro wave with headphones amp

So, I wonder how good it is
With maybe more depth into it, like testing it with Grado GS1000 and Senn 650 and AKG and so on
With many kinds of music and styles and so on
I'm looking into adding a headphone amp into our microwave...

The Isabella with headphone output drives Senn 650s, AKG K701s and K702s, GS1000s, etc. We actually had it at the ALO Audio table at Can Jam '08 last May (it was still a prototype unit back then, but it did its thing!)

My personal favorite headphones were Vicki's Sony R-10s - they are breathtaking with the Isabella and I wanted to by her R-10s, but she turned me down.

Best regards,

Vinnie
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post #25 of 86
10/2/08 at 12:41pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Vinnie R. View Post
I'm looking into adding a headphone amp into our microwave...

The Isabella with headphone output drives Senn 650s, AKG K1000s, GS1000s, etc. We actually had it at the ALO Audio table at Can Jam '08 last May (it was still a prototype unit back then, but it did its thing!)

My personal favorite headphones were Vicki's Sony R-10s - they are breathtaking with the Isabella and I wanted to by her R-10s, but she turned me down.

Best regards,

Vinnie
Can it really run the AKG 1000 ?!
WOW
Are you sure about it?
This is amazing!

Also
How is it when connected to a PC ?
Using USB or COAX ?
Any jitter or something like that that might turn off some of us here ?
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post #26 of 86
10/2/08 at 1:29pm
Doh! I meant to say K701s... NOT K1000. I just edited my post. I apologize for the confusion.

It cannot drive K1000. Our Signature 30.2 power amp is the perfect match for the K1000s, as shown in krmathis' pic above.

Quote:
Also
How is it when connected to a PC ?
Using USB or COAX ?
Any jitter or something like that that might turn off some of us here ?
USB is ideal - it offers less jitter than SPDIF. We do not convert from USB to SPDIF.... we convert USB direct to I2S to feed the internal dac.

Best regards,

Vinnie
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post #27 of 86
10/2/08 at 1:31pm
Sound really nice!
I guess I only need to find 6000$ for it

I wish it could drive the AKG k1000 - than it will be PERFECT
(yes, I know it not an easy thing to want, but why not dream?!
)
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post #28 of 86
10/2/08 at 9:07pm
Vinnie,

Do you have a rough ballpark for when you're thinking of releasing your headphone amp?

I ask because I'll be buying a new one at the end of the year and If I know you're releasing one around that time I would love to put it in my list of amps I would consider buying.

I'd hate to get a lovely new amp only to find your creation coming out shortly after and being quite a bit better.
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post #29 of 86
10/3/08 at 5:21am
I too will be interested to get a Isabella with DAC and for headphones only, and preferably with balanced inputs (XLR) too.

I will have little use of the pre-amp outs and this is a stopper.

F. Lo
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post #30 of 86
10/3/08 at 10:31am
Hi Gazza,

I have put this (a smaller, less expensive dedicated headphone amp) on the back burner for a while because we have become so busy with the Isabella, Isabellina dac and we are also working on a battery powered, tube phonostage.

When you are ready to buy a new headphone amp, feel free to email me and check in to see if we having anything in the works by then - but again, we've been so busy with our home audio market (and the Isabella with built-in headphone output) to work on this right now...

Best regards,

Vinnie
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