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Meier Audio Porta Corda MkII Followup! - Page 3

post #31 of 242
1/4/05 at 1:31am
Sorry I didn't mean to imply that the 650's and 225's would see much time with the Corda. That's what my Supreme amp (and whatever else you diabiolical fiends convince me to buy ) is for.

I know some folks are going to use theirs as a home amp, but mine will spend 90% of it's time running off a 9v rechargeable battery in a portable case with the iPod.
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post #32 of 242
1/4/05 at 8:04am
Quote:
Originally Posted by gsferrari

Not disappointed at all - trashes my self built MINT - but is quite easily bested by the SR-71...

Any ideas?
Quote:
Originally Posted by gsferrari
The PCMKII has a tendency to BLOOM the sound giving it a slight warmth over the SR-71. The PCMKII also has more overall bass as a result of this warmth but this is not "true" bass...its like it is always there...

The SR-71 has more powerful impact and depth to the bass...

What does this mean?

Nothing - the PCMKII is brand new - the SR-71 has been used almost everyday for the last 2 months and is at least 200 hours old. Also - the cable and source are far from high end. The idea was to compare the two on a portable setup...therefore the Sony D-25 vintage PCDP. The IC's are Meier Oehlbach Mini-Mini.

One thing is that the PCMKII has more gain than the stock SR-71. The quality of jacks used in the SR-71 is better than the PCMKII and the volume pot/knob has a better feel in the SR-71.

But sonically - I will now wait for a month before posting conclusive reports. I like the sound and this is $145.00 well spent...no way you can get an SR-71 for $150.00 and even at this "unfair" stage - you will find that you can live with both.




As an additional bit of info - I would like to say that my MINT amplifier is right up there It cost me $50.00 to put my Mint together but HOLY GOD this amp has more spunk than the PCMKII and the SR-71. Note that I am VERY objective about these observations and have no attachments to any of these amps. The MINT had to be dug out of retirement from under a box full of clothes

I dunno...definite improvements in overall separation/resolution and a less congested sound with the SR-71 and PCMKII but is it really worth it??

Mind you - headphones = HD-650


If anyone has any doubts about this - I will be happy to send them all three amps for them to check out. Established Headfiers will have first dibs.
First of all, dibs.

Did you say that the PCII trashed the MINT before you listened to both? I'm just a bit confused here. Because later you say that it can compete but you need to dig it up (the MINT)
What kind of power supply are you using in that MINT? Batteries, 1 or 2, or outside PSU?

Becuase I've got a tigger build MINT. It had a 8260 opamp which he changed to OPA2227 for me. (I didn't like the 8260 at all in the MINT) and the PS is 1 x 9.6V rechargeable.
The New Classic is much much better. And that can't be just the OPA627s and 24V PSU.

What are you saying, the SR-71 and PCII are better than the MINT but not THAT much? I'm just a bit confused...
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post #33 of 242
1/4/05 at 2:24pm
any info when the second european batch is going to be shipped
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post #34 of 242
1/4/05 at 2:26pm
I mixed up my JMT CHA-47 and a self built MINT

CHA-47 - trashed
MINT - pretty much up there


Thanks for the catch. I dont use these amplifiers at all and I didnt know which was which until I opened the box on the first one...found the CHA-47 And then decided to hunt for the other MINT which was already R(ing).I.P

With the CHA-47 you hear SS glare and honkiness like none of these amps portray. I am glad I know which is which now Now the CHA-47 is R(Ing).I.P
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post #35 of 242
1/4/05 at 2:28pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Lisa
What are you saying, the SR-71 and PCII are better than the MINT but not THAT much? I'm just a bit confused...
Bingo...in some cases you will question your investment when you compare with the Mint, Headsave classic or a decent PIMETA...

Trouble is - there is only SO MUCH you can do with op-amps and buffers...

Anyway - the additional functionality of the PCMKII (crossfeed) is worth it. For example - try listening to Stevie Wonder's early CD's and you will know what I am talking about...INCREDIBLY polarised music which is almost unbearable without crossfeed...
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post #36 of 242
1/4/05 at 3:03pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by gsferrari
Bingo...in some cases you will question your investment when you compare with the Mint, Headsave classic or a decent PIMETA...

Trouble is - there is only SO MUCH you can do with op-amps and buffers...

Anyway - the additional functionality of the PCMKII (crossfeed) is worth it. For example - try listening to Stevie Wonder's early CD's and you will know what I am talking about...INCREDIBLY polarised music which is almost unbearable without crossfeed...
I really wish I had more experiances with different amps. Because I've only heard the MINT and Headsave Classic and the difference between unamped from my PCDP and MINT is just slight. Put the Classic in the place of the MINT and all of a sudden you hear what amplification is all about. The difference between MINT and Classic is much bigger than MINT and unamped. Maybe it's just good synergy with the MS-1s but reading you comments I get the feeling that the Classic is a real winner!
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post #37 of 242
1/4/05 at 3:10pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Lisa
I really wish I had more experiances with different amps. Because I've only heard the MINT and Headsave Classic and the difference between unamped from my PCDP and MINT is just slight. Put the Classic in the place of the MINT and all of a sudden you hear what amplification is all about. The difference between MINT and Classic is much bigger than MINT and unamped. Maybe it's just good synergy with the MS-1s but reading you comments I get the feeling that the Classic is a real winner!

I am switching to my SACD source for further comparative testing and for a quick review. Sometimes line-outs are compromised and to get a real feel for an amp - you have to use a good source...

The D-25 has a nice headphone out...so good that I dont feel the need to use an amp at all...

The SR-71, I expect, will really outshine the PCMKII and MINT when the source is improved...

I'll be back in the evening with more comments after doing some listening.

Ciao!
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post #38 of 242
1/4/05 at 3:14pm

My Porta Corda is not working properly

My set-up with the Porta Corda is a second generation iPod with the Ety er-4p. I use a 9-volt battery with the Corda.

First, turning the knob counter-clockwise to the limit does not turn it off. So the Corda is essentially on all the time.

Second, the counter-clockwise position also seems to be the maximum volume. In the manual, the most clockwise position is supposed to be the maximum volume. Turning it clockwise actually lowers the volume.

Third, the LED blub is not turned on at all.

Is anyone else having these problems or is it just me?
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post #39 of 242
1/4/05 at 3:20pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by mhcarlos
My set-up with the Porta Corda is a second generation iPod with the Ety er-4p. I use a 9-volt battery with the Corda.

First, turning the knob counter-clockwise to the limit does not turn it off. So the Corda is essentially on all the time.

Second, the counter-clockwise position also seems to be the maximum volume. In the manual, the most clockwise position is supposed to be the maximum volume. Turning it clockwise actually lowers the volume.

Third, the LED blub is not turned on at all.

Is anyone else having these problems or is it just me?

Check battery polarity first.

I dont think that is the problem here but its worth checking out anyway. I doubt meier would have made such a gross error on what is essentially a production line product.

I repeat - check battery polarity - you may have it reversed.

As for volume working the other way...

Unless inputs and outputs were somehow reversed on the PCB I cant see this happening...

Gosh
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post #40 of 242
1/4/05 at 3:21pm

Excerpt from the PC MKII manual

Below is an excerpt from the Porta Corda MKII manual about turning it on and off. I assume you have this manual with your amp and that something has got to be wrong with it. I would like to hear if others are experiencing your situation:
*******************

Activation of the device
The PORTA CORDA II is switched OFF by turning the black volume-dial to its most counter-clock-wise position. Turning the dial clockwise will activate the amplifier. While switched ON the red light on the front side will be lit.

The current consumption of the PORTA CORDA II is approximately 5 mA and one fresh battery lasts for approximately 100 hrs of music. The use of the 120-Ohm adapter does NOT decrease battery life!

Volume control
The volume of the PORTA CORDA II is controlled by the black dial on the front of the amp and is increased by clock-wise rotation.

The driving capabilities of the PORTA CORDA II by far exceed that of a regular portable CD-player. This not only guarantees less distortion, but also has the danger of severe hearing damage. While listening to headphones we lack several feedback mechanisms on volume level that are present when we listen to loudspeakers. Much less distortion, no feeling of the lower frequencies by our body and no psychological restraints not to annoy our fellow-men easily seduces us to listen at volume levels that are detrimental to our hearing. Hearing damage from regular exposure to high sound levels progresses slowly but is irreversible and can result in permanent hearing loss.
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post #41 of 242
1/4/05 at 3:31pm

sorry about that

gsferrarri -- yes, i just checked the battery polarity and it was reversed. dumb mistake.

however, turning it counterclockwise does not seem to turn it off totally if my source is still running. is this normal?

so far it sounds great though! this is my first amp. when i get home i'm testing it with the 4p-to-4s adapter.

thanks!
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post #42 of 242
1/4/05 at 4:07pm

FAO JUDE

Hi

I am sorry to spam this thread, but Jude if your reading this, did you receive my PM Re my late EU/1 order. This is important as I provided extra detail Re shipping.

Mark
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post #43 of 242
1/4/05 at 4:08pm
Thread Starter 
Nothing yet for me up in Boston.
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post #44 of 242
1/4/05 at 5:00pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by mhcarlos
however, turning it counterclockwise does not seem to turn it off totally if my source is still running. is this normal?!
If you mean that you hear the source leaking through a bit, when the PCII is turned off (= led goes out, and you feel a slight click in the volume dial): Yup, that's perfectly normal for the PortaCorda.

Greetings from Hannover!

Manfred / lini
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post #45 of 242
1/4/05 at 5:28pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by lini
If you mean that you hear the source leaking through a bit, when the PCII is turned off (= led goes out, and you feel a slight click in the volume dial): Yup, that's perfectly normal for the PortaCorda.

Greetings from Hannover!

Manfred / lini
Thanks lini!

Now that I'm enjoying the Porta Corda with the iPod, which is my first amp, I'm starting to get curious about other amps and other source combinations. I think I should stop visiting headfi before it starts costing me a lot more money...
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