ES-1 Plunge

[Kang]

After a year of drooling over the es-1, I've finally placed an order. Mikhail is fabulous. He answered all of my questions during 3 long conversations. Also, many thanks to morscphi for his guidance.

Seconds now tick by very slowly as I wait for the package to land on my doorstep.

 

[foo_me]

Congrats!...they do sound great, but just some advice from a former es1 owner...check back with him semi frequently.
He might have the best of the intentions, but his delivery dates are not very reliable

 

[krmathis]

Congratulations!
Hopefully you get a spotless amplifier. Unlike other ES-1 customers around here...

 

[Hirsch]

Quote:

Originally Posted by krmathis /img/forum/go_quote.gif Congratulations! Hopefully you get a spotless amplifier. Unlike other ES-1 customers around here...

What condition did yours arrive in? Mine was perfect.

 

[krmathis]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hirsch /img/forum/go_quote.gif What condition did yours arrive in? Mine was perfect.

Well, first of all I don't own an ES-1. And I don't question that Mikhail built great sounding amplifiers.
But from reading feedback on this forum I am under the impression that his quality control leave something to be desired.

Cause Head-Fi members have received their ES-1 with these issues:
* Crossed left/right attenuators.
* Crossed left/right output connectors (left speaker sound in right speaker, and opposite).

I really expect quality control for a $4.000+++ amplifier to detect serious issues like these before the product leaves the factory.

 

[spritzer]

Some users had issues with their amps that are evidence of bad QC (bad wiring mostly). This has gone pretty much unnoticed because nobody wants to incur the wrath of the fanboys...

Wring a connector up the wrong way around is bad enough for dynamic phones but can kill electrostatics. This shouldn't happen with a 4500$ or more amplifier.

 

[Petyot]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kang /img/forum/go_quote.gif Mikhail is fabulous. He answered all of my questions during 3 long conversations

Well, when you drop some big money on the floor I guess that this is the least you can expect...

Congrats anyway!

 

[braillediver]

"ES-1 (ordered), 007t"

WOW! Nice upgrade- that should be a noticable difference.

Congratulations.


Mitch

 

[vcoheda]

now the wait comes . . .

 

[ldj325]

Congratulations on the ES-1! I was able to spend a good bit of uninterrupted time (in a quiet place) with Icarium's ES-1 and HE60s after the recent NorCal meet. What a great combination that was. The combination had a wonderfully lively, dynamic, and full sound. You might want to PM Icarium and see what kind of tubes he switched over to on the ES-1 as they seemed particularly good in that amp to me. Great choise in amps.

 

[krmathis]

Quote:

Originally Posted by vcoheda /img/forum/go_quote.gif now the wait comes . . .

...which are the worst part with any BTO order.

 

[purk]

Congrats. I want to hear one myself. Which configuration that you get?

 

[neilvg]

Enough. I have had more issues than anyone I know with my amp from SP. But you know what? Through it all Mikhail has been there to the best of his ability. Do your research and know what you are getting into and once you do, live with the results. Once your amp is finally ready, it will be what you have always wanted, but the pain involved may blind you in the interim.

It is important to separate the owner from the company. Personally, I can find no fault with Mikhail. Unfortunately, sometimes he over-extends himself.

Neil

 

[spritzer]

Quote:

Originally Posted by neilvg /img/forum/go_quote.gif ...Once your amp is finally ready, it will be what you have always wanted...

Nah, I'll give you month until you start to wonder how a fully transformer coupled, DHT transmitter tube based SET OTL amp sounds.

Throw in some really nice Japanese iron and a fast tube rectified power supply and you'll be down to two weeks.

 

[Kang]

Thanks for your comments.

My new toy will be similar to morphsci's but with some differences:

Es-1 base unit
Pliton large
Cardas silver solder
Carda audio wiring
Audio Note Silver Foil capacitor
4 channel gold attenuator
Black Gate poewr capacitor stage 2
Black Gate cathode bypass capacitor ES
Dual Umbilial cord
Quad regulators for maximum separation
Digital Bias readout
Output: 3D21A + adapters
Center: 6SN7W
Driver: 6BL7GT
2 Stax jacks

I debated about silver wiring for the audio section, but finally decided not to jump for it. A mistake?

Bill