APEX PINNACLE OR TWO OF THESE : ECBA & DNA STRATUS/ CAVALLI LG/ RSA DARK STAR - Page 3  

I heard the Pinnacle with HD800s at CanJam in Chicago a couple of years ago and was mesmerized. It was wonderful. I currently have a TTVJ 307A with, of all things, the Pinnacle transformers and perhaps the only 307A with this configuration. I'm not sure what that makes me; perhaps a bastard hybrid headphone amp owner.

I also have a Moth 2A3 amp with RCA monoplate 2A3s (tubes doooo make a difference). Simply put, both are magical in their own right and each have their unique strengths and weaknesses with the 307A being brilliantly and naturally towards neutral and the Moth ever so slightly tinged with the magic of the 2A3. Neither one can drive the HE6 with authority when one is listening at higher volume settings, at least when the amps are driven directly by a CARY 303/300 or 306SACD player. Simply put, and as many have said before me, there is no one best of anything, including spouses (contrary to what my wife wants me to believe-I hope she doesn't see this thread). 

I have heard several other fine amps including the RSA Dark Star and the ECBA under show/meet conditions so it is difficult for my comments to have any value other than to say they were all very good with no obvious weaknesses. In fact, that is perhaps the point of this post and as my wife frequently reminds me; "your comments have no value". End of post. 

Quote:

Originally Posted by SHAHZADA123 

The ECBA is very good with the HD800s as well as Grados. But not ideal for LCD3s/ HE6/ K1000s

 

Hows the LG with LCD3s.

In terms of the LCD3, what tubes are you running on the BA? But yeah, I tend to agree with the LCD3 being sluggish (at least with the tubes I tried.) While the BA drives them adequately and much better almost any other amp, there are better options for these power sinks. (I do not like HE6 or K1000, so I cannot say much more.)

I've heard the Pinnacle (Sophia PX4s) side-by-side with an EC 2A3 (Ken Rad 45s) + BA power supply at the Bay Area meet almost year ago. A few other people such as Anaxilus (who is banned) have heard it too. You can always hunt him down at another forum (it's not the one which can't be mentioned, but it's rather one I won't mention.) I think certain things are too sensitive to talk about openly, especially very low volume, high priced TOTL gear, where a lot of things ultimately come down to personal preferences. (LOL, invariability, it always seems to come down to a comparison to the BA.) I will say that I very much disagree with Maxvla though. I like the Pinnacle a lot.

Ah shucks, I think you should just buy the Pinnacle. You know you'll always be wondering if you don't.

Quote:

Originally Posted by DannyB 

In fact, that is perhaps the point of this post and as my wife frequently reminds me; "your comments have no value". End of post. 

They do. Sincere efforts to describe what you hear (which as we know, is very difficult to put into words) are appreciated by more people than you think. Thousands of lurkers. 99.9 of them silent but eating it up. And these lurkers aren't dumb either. They can certainly think for themselves.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Todd 

Hi Radio_head,

 

I have never taken a shot at anyone else before but to say that an amp is the worst when it is clearly not leads me to believe that Maxvla has some kind of agenda. I have no problem with people saying they did not like it but to go the distance he did in his description is not right. Does he know that this is how I make a living. It seems to me he goes out of his way to say this in any Pinnacle thread. So, yes I was defending our product and I have no problem lining up a Pinnacle with any other amp and letting people sit down and listening. I know that it is not the worst. I think it the best and I have been an audiophile and respected person in this industry for a long time. I do not need someone putting my product down. You will NEVER find a post of mine that I put someone elses product down.

 

 

Search out the Pinnacle threads and you will find that those who own them have been very pleased with their purchase.

 

I am sorry if I offended anyone other than Maxvla.

 

Todd

I very much understand your predicament - someone is saying they didn't like your product, and in the end that affects sales - which is your means of livelihood.  However, as these are open, public forums, members here (assuming they are not outright shills) are given free reign to voice their opinion within reason (outside of premium sponsored threads).  If every opinion of an amp was positive, forums would be nothing more than free advertising.  Dissenting opinions can sometimes serve to help people make informed buying choices.  As I know there are some happy users here (innerspace, rgs, aardvark bagette, off the top of my head) and some show attenders who I'm sure also enjoyed the Pinnacle, I (as still a potential buyer at some point in the future) would be happy to hear their thoughts as well.  When a vendor comes in to talk about their own products, it makes sense for them to defend their product in the context of questioning show environments, expositing on source or music choices, or talk about who might prefer their gear.  Its when it becomes "then your ears are wrong" that things are just too personal. 

It is a very good thing that you wouldn't put someone's products down - as a vendor that seems like something off limits.  Putting down people is worse in my book.

"I'm sorry if I offended anyone other than Maxvla" - the deduction from that statement is that you're not sorry if you did offend him.  While I know you are well respected and started this hobby for many users here, statements like this are to your detriment.

By the way, I very much disagree with his impressions on multiple products on his meet impression thread and don't think meets are that great for evaluating differences of the magnitude we're dealing with here.  Then again, my priorities (as are most users here) are different from Maxvla's.  His opinion is just one data point.  One negative data point won't kill a product or skew the numbers as it will eventually be counterbalanced by a positive data point. However, posts by vendors that are  in anything other than the best taste can skew the whole thing, as people will make assumptions and just stay away from the product.  

Edit - Todd apologized to Max while I was typing this.  Readers can feel free to disregard my comments.  I'd also like to add that everyone I know of who's dealt with Todd has had nothing but good things to say about him, so I'm inclined to think this is just a fluke, things happen.

I consider Todd and Pete friends and have also purchased from Todd in the past, as well as had my fill of delicious beer due to his generosity.  I do not own a Pinnacle, but have heard it several times at meets under various conditions.

With those caveats out of the way, I think the Pinnacle kicks all kinds of ass.  I just love the way it sounds.  Is it expensive?  Yup.  But Todd's point about the preamp function is a good one.  The sky is the limit on those things, so perhaps 10k ain't so bad after all.

And vendors, I believe, are permitted to defend their products (though I could easily be mistaken).

I would love to hear one with an HD800 and compare to my current favorite with it (Cavalli Liquid Glass). 

I've admired the Pinnacle from afar for a long time, but with all it's features and my lack of caring about budgets anymore (to some extent) I could see it being an option if my system evolved beyond a fantastic integrated amp. 

Defending with facts is one thing, but I don't believe they're aloud to lash out against opinions no matter how extreme. I do feel it's worked itself out fairly well though. 

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Monkey 

I consider Todd and Pete friends and have also purchased from Todd in the past, as well as had my fill of delicious beer due to his generosity.  I do not own a Pinnacle, but have heard it several times at meets under various conditions.

 

With those caveats out of the way, I think the Pinnacle kicks all kinds of ass.  I just love the way it sounds.  Is it expensive?  Yup.  But Todd's point about the preamp function is a good one.  The sky is the limit on those things, so perhaps 10k ain't so bad after all.

 

And vendors, I believe, are permitted to defend their products (though I could easily be mistaken).

Congrats.  Let us know how you like it.

Really great points brought up in this thread and I appreciate everyone taking the time to post their opinions from their point of view. Indeed, as Radio Head has mentioned, anyone should be able to voice their opinion (within reason), which is what makes this forum a great place for fans and audiophiles alike to meet and talk about what we're all passionate about - the music. Thanks to Radio Head, Purrin, Todd, DannyB and Maxvla for sharing.

Quote:

Originally Posted by SHAHZADA123 

That's it. End of discussion. Am buying the Pinnacle.

Looking forward to your impressions of the Pinnacle my friend and how it compares to the top gear that you own. That said, do I spy a BA coming up for sale soon?