The all new Continental Dual Mono
Jul 6, 2015 at 11:18 PM Post #391 of 2,704
Also love the portable setup! End-game stuff. 
 
Not sure how many people are going to wander around carrying ~$6,000 of audio gear though. Maybe include a guard-dog with the purchase?  
beerchug.gif
 
 
Jul 6, 2015 at 11:23 PM Post #392 of 2,704
  Got a little time today to settle in with my portable rig while working, really my dream set up. I cant believe how much the CDM has spoiled me sound wise. (shameless self plug, sorry!)
 
Continental Dual Mono --> AK380 --> Campfire Audio Lyra --- balanced in and balanced out. The fit with the AK380 is perfect and is a good pairing, loving it. 
 
Working hard to get the tube rolling stuff wrapped up please stand by.
 
 

 

 
Thanks 
 
Ken

 
Nice!
 
First though when seeing this:
I wonder how hot the A&K gets?
 
 
Jul 6, 2015 at 11:43 PM Post #393 of 2,704
  Also love the portable setup! End-game stuff. 
 
Not sure how many people are going to wander around carrying ~$6,000 of audio gear though. Maybe include a guard-dog with the purchase?  
beerchug.gif
 

No kidding, I would possibly consider hiring a bodyguard to protect that stack! Thing costs more than my car, lol
 
Jul 6, 2015 at 11:44 PM Post #394 of 2,704
Mmm.....heat transfer to DAP? Not a problem. Just add a few rubber bumpers. I use 3M on all my stacks: http://solutions.3m.com/wps/portal/3M/en_EU/Bumpon/Adhesive-Bumpers/Products/Catalogue/~/3M-Bumpon-Protective-Product-SJ5312-Clear-10000-per-case?N=8697097+3294733728+3294857473&rt=d. As for the safety rsk, it is no more than wearing in public a USD10,000 Apple Watch Edition. Just exercise common sense: Don't bring that stack in the barrios or the ghettos. That's just asking for it.
 
Jul 7, 2015 at 12:09 AM Post #395 of 2,704
  No kidding, I would possibly consider hiring a bodyguard to protect that stack! Thing costs more than my car, lol

 
Its really not a issue with the analog stack. I am also going to be offering as a aftermarket tube some single triode sets that run cooler than the 6111s, if you cant take the heat as it were ;-0
 
kb
 
Campfire Audio Campfire Audio - Nicely Done. Stay updated on Campfire Audio at their sponsor profile on Head-Fi.
 
https://www.campfireaudio.com/ Support@campfireaudio.com
Jul 7, 2015 at 12:43 AM Post #396 of 2,704
Mmm.....heat transfer to DAP? Not a problem. Just add a few rubber bumpers. I use 3M on all my stacks: http://solutions.3m.com/wps/portal/3M/en_EU/Bumpon/Adhesive-Bumpers/Products/Catalogue/~/3M-Bumpon-Protective-Product-SJ5312-Clear-10000-per-case?N=8697097+3294733728+3294857473&rt=d. As for the safety rsk, it is no more than wearing in public a USD10,000 Apple Watch Edition. Just exercise common sense: Don't bring that stack in the barrios or the ghettos. That's just asking for it.

Of course! I wear a pretty nice Panerai and live in a downtown area myself, so common sense is indeed the name of the game. 
 
Unfortunately common sense is not that common...
 
Cheers
 
Jul 7, 2015 at 1:13 AM Post #397 of 2,704
  @laserjock that was a good review on page 23, on-par with my experience. Would you happen to know which set of tubes your unit came with? I want to be sure I get the same tubes with my CDM just in case Alo Audio changes the ones they ship with.


Yo @DecentLevi!  Actually, it was your reviews that pushed me over the edge to jump in a pre-order!  It's all your fault!  :wink:  As a pre-order, it came with an extra set, but I've not listened to any other than the 'stock' tubes.  I think Ken talks about the extra ones he threw-in for the pre-order folks.  Sorry, tho... I don't have any other details on the tubes.  Will let you know if/when I swap them (but have a tough week...)
 
PS - thx for 'pushing' me into the CDM!  :wink:
 
Jul 7, 2015 at 1:35 AM Post #398 of 2,704
No problem, that's what this community is all about: sharing / learning about audio gear that we truly believe is good (preferably that which we have personally tried). I admit some of my reviews have a bit of a supernatural / fantasy theme, but that's just me; I'm a bit of a space-case. I'm glad you found the CDM as good as I thought it was too.
 
Not to 'knock' one of the largest tech companies, but from what I can tell esp. in recent pages is that it looks like an IBM or Android-based device is more of a sure-shot connection than Apple if you're going to utilize the DAC of the CDM.
 
Jul 7, 2015 at 2:09 AM Post #399 of 2,704
I'm having the same issue with my iPad Air 2, but it works fine with my iPhone 6+.

Both are on the same version of iOS using the same cables.

Also looking for help on this issue.


Using an iPod Touch 5gen with OS 8.3. No problems at all-sounds fantastic!

CJ
 
Jul 7, 2015 at 12:23 PM Post #401 of 2,704
   
Common sense is an oxymoron.
 
8eqf.jpeg

Exactly Brian. And as my wife likes to say there is no correlation between intelligence and common sense!
 
Jul 7, 2015 at 7:37 PM Post #402 of 2,704
Continental Dual Mono --> AK380 --> Campfire Audio Lyra --- balanced in and balanced out. The fit with the AK380 is perfect and is a good pairing, loving it. 
 
Working hard to get the tube rolling stuff wrapped up please stand by.
 
I am staggered to imagine spending 3500 dollars on a DAP and then essentially neutering it by using it as a transport to feed a DAC/AMP combo...I own a chord hugo which I use with my AK120 Titan but the thought of buying and using a 380 in that way simply seems absurd to me....perhaps I am missing something?
 
Jul 7, 2015 at 7:38 PM Post #403 of 2,704
Your not a millionaire perhaps?
 
Jul 7, 2015 at 7:40 PM Post #404 of 2,704
Hey All,
 
Some customers have noted the heat generated from the CDM.
 
The purpose of this post is to demonstrate the typical running temperatures of the CDM and further point out that the CDM, being a tube-based amplifier, does generate heat that is not typical with most solid-state portable amps.
 
 
BACKGROUND INFO
 
The CDM uses two 6111 subminiature vacuum tubes that will each generate approx. 2W of heat when running normally. These tubes are the main source of heat you feel from the CDM’s enclosure. In addition to this, some IC’s on the CDM’s circuit board (PCB) will also generate heat. The design of the CDM uses the enclosure as a heat sink that transfers this heat safely away from the PCB and dissipates this heat into the enclosure, where it then radiates to the outside air.  It isnormal for the enclosure to operate in the 90 - 130 F (32 – 55 C) range. All of the CDM’s components are rated for operating beyond these temperatures.
 
When using its internal dac, the CDM will generate the most amount of heat - as we use linear voltage regulators to feed the DAC stages.  Linear regulators are less efficient than switching regulators (DC-DC converters), but offer lower noise and better performance for high end audio applications such as the CDM.
 
We recommend that you: 
 
-       Do not obstruct / cover and vent holes of the enclosure, especially when using the internal CDM dac.
-       Take care when touching the CDM to note that it does get hot to the touch, especially when in DAC mode
-       Are mindful that the CDM is a tubed-based portable amplifier/dac, and it is normal for tubes to generate heat, as they contain “tube heaters” (filaments) that are required to heat the vacuum inside to tube to function.  This, along with the use of linear voltage regulators (above) where chosen for what we believe is the best sound quality in the smallest sized enclosure.  Doing so requires the enclosure to get warmer than most portable and transportable amplifiers – especially those that do not use tubes.
 
 
TESTING
 
The typical temperatures we have documented are summarized in the following tests.
Testing procedures were as follows:
 
-       Running the CDM in analog mode (dac not connected) - balanced line input to the CDM while driving both SE and balanced headphones simultaneously AND also charging the battery. 
-       Running the CDM in DAC mode - balanced line input to the CDM while driving both SE and balanced headphones simultaneously AND also charging the battery. 
-       Measurements were taken after the amp has reached its peak operating temperature, in this case after 1 hour of play.
-       Temperatures were recorded via an IR thermometer at various locations on the exterior of the CDM (please refer to the following diagrams).
-        Ambient temperature at the time of testing was 76F (24C). The stock tube used was the Phillips 6111 (note - temperatures will be lower if a single triode tube with 150mA filament current draw is used such as the 5719 or 5718) instead of the 6111 family with 300mA filament current draw).
 
The highest recorded temperatures in our tests was 123.9F (51C), however depending on the angle of the IR thermometer and the locations of the test, the temperatures can be marginally lower or higher.
 
Additionally the testing was done using a black CDM and the temperatures recorded were consistent with that of a silver unit.
 
As a reference, the recommended temperature of coffee that is safely drinkable sis 137F (58C) as reference is here:
 
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18226454
 
Also interesting to note that, 1) Most people prefer to drink it in the 155F – 175F range, and 2) McDonalds was sued for 
serving coffee in the 195 – 205F range and it causing burns when it spilled on a customer.
 


 
 

 
 

 
Thank you
 
Ken
 
 

 
Campfire Audio Campfire Audio - Nicely Done. Stay updated on Campfire Audio at their sponsor profile on Head-Fi.
 
https://www.campfireaudio.com/ Support@campfireaudio.com
Jul 7, 2015 at 7:53 PM Post #405 of 2,704
  Continental Dual Mono --> AK380 --> Campfire Audio Lyra --- balanced in and balanced out. The fit with the AK380 is perfect and is a good pairing, loving it. 
 
Working hard to get the tube rolling stuff wrapped up please stand by.
 
I am staggered to imagine spending 3500 dollars on a DAP and then essentially neutering it by using it as a transport to feed a DAC/AMP combo...I own a chord hugo which I use with my AK120 Titan but the thought of buying and using a 380 in that way simply seems absurd to me....perhaps I am missing something?

 
Its just my current source, sounds great analog out in balanced mode. Sure my MAC running DSD sounds better but I dont always like to carry my laptop around to listen to music all the time. Yes the 380 is expensive but we have one in my shop that I use.
 
Ken
 
Campfire Audio Campfire Audio - Nicely Done. Stay updated on Campfire Audio at their sponsor profile on Head-Fi.
 
https://www.campfireaudio.com/ Support@campfireaudio.com

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