Exemplar Audio

[Yikes]

I’m sitting here listening to my new Exemplar Audio 3910 CD/SACD/DVD-A/DVD player. It’s a modded to the nines Denon 3910, truly amazing performance. I’m listening to my AKG K501 with my Creek OBH-11SE amp, and it sounds outstanding.

Here is why this is posted here and not in the source forum.

I’m jonesing to hear it with my reference system, but I have sent both my ASL MG Head OTL/32 and my K1000’s off to John Tucker at Exemplar Audio. John is a genius with tube equipment and he’s going to see how he can modify the OTL/32. I’m confidant that he can change the OTL/32 from an outstanding performer for the money into an outright outstanding performer.

I’ll be sure to post more info (costs and extent of the modifications) when I get it.

 

[ServinginEcuador]

I bought a 2900 from John over a year ago, and am still amazed at how good it sounds every time I fire it up. John definitely got a lot of things right with this unit, and at least 3 other people on this board own one.

Make sure you get ahold of two super-tubes for this unit: the older IV0, IV1, or IV2 Amperex pinched waist E180CC/7062, or the standard Amperex tubes of the same age. After the IV4 or so the sound begins to lose its magic. John fell in love with the PW tubes after I sent him a pair, and he's been gaga over them ever since. I still own a few, but due to their cost I only use the standard 7062 non-pinched waist tubes.

Congrats on buying one of John's amazing creations! It will provide tons of listening pleasure for years to come.

 

[mikeg]

I've been using John's modded Denon 2900 for several months, and its sound is truly amazing. But, I'm still dreaming of getting PW tubes for it someday.

 

[ServinginEcuador]

Quote:

Originally Posted by mikeg I've been using John's modded Denon 2900 for several months, and its sound is truly amazing. But, I'm still dreaming of getting PW tubes for it someday.

Mike,

I'll be selling off the (15) or so PWs I have left in just about two months. Let me know via PM if you're interested in buying a pair of IV0 (original series and oldest/rarest by far!) or the IV2 (second revision series) that I have left. They aren't cheap, but boy are they loved by those who listen to them. John Tucker won't use anything else anymore.

 

[Jon L]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Yikes I’m sitting here listening to my new Exemplar Audio 3910 CD/SACD/DVD-A/DVD player. It’s a modded to the nines Denon 3910, truly amazing performance. I’m listening to my AKG K501 with my Creek OBH-11SE amp, and it sounds outstanding. Here is why this is posted here and not in the source forum. I’m jonesing to hear it with my reference system, but I have sent both my ASL MG Head OTL/32 and my K1000’s off to John Tucker at Exemplar Audio. John is a genius with tube equipment and he’s going to see how he can modify the OTL/32. I’m confidant that he can change the OTL/32 from an outstanding performer for the money into an outright outstanding performer. I’ll be sure to post more info (costs and extent of the modifications) when I get it.

Would you ask John if he can look at K1000 for some mods? Possibly taking out the notch filter circuit or modding it with better components and/or hardwiring better wires onto K1000.

Most of all, I wonder how much he'd charge for fashioning a different K1000 headband that will get the K1000 driver closer to the ears while retaining the swivel capability..

 

[Yikes]

I’ll ask, but I don’t know if those kind of modifications are his bag.

You want the speakers closer to your ears? If I turn them all of the way in they are almost touching my ears. Any closer and they would be touching my ears.

I sent John my ASL MG Head OTL/32 and my K1000’s so that he could properly voice the amp. John has never heard the K1000’s. I’m sure that he’ll play around with driving the K1000’s with his mono block amps. Separate amps are not in my future. I really like the functionality of the OTL/32. Hell! I like it’s sound, but I know that it could be better.

 

[Yikes]

I spoke with John today. He agreed with me that removing a notch filter (I was not even aware that there is a notch filter) would probably be a bad idea. He and I are considering possible rewiring modifications. Unfortunately Siltech (I’m the importer) is too stiff and therefore unsuitable.

He LOVED the K1000’s, even driven by the stock ASL MG Head OTL/32 (using his Exemplar 3910). In the next couple of days he plans on drawing up a proposal for modifying the amp. Man I am going into withdrawal without my main rig. I know that it’ll be worth the wait.

 

[Jon L]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Yikes I spoke with John today. He agreed with me that removing a notch filter (I was not even aware that there is a notch filter) would probably be a bad idea. He and I are considering possible rewiring modifications. Unfortunately Siltech (I’m the importer) is too stiff and therefore unsuitable. He LOVED the K1000’s, even driven by the stock ASL MG Head OTL/32 (using his Exemplar 3910). In the next couple of days he plans on drawing up a proposal for modifying the amp. Man I am going into withdrawal without my main rig. I know that it’ll be worth the wait.

Of course John likes the K1000! Driven by Exemplar 3910 and tube amp, I would hope so.. How much of his active loading and shunt-regulation can be applied to MG Head would be interesting. I sure wish I had access to Siltech wire like you. Surely, John can do SOmething such as maybe strip off the stiff jacket or something!

 

[tkam]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Yikes I spoke with John today. He agreed with me that removing a notch filter (I was not even aware that there is a notch filter) would probably be a bad idea. He and I are considering possible rewiring modifications. Unfortunately Siltech (I’m the importer) is too stiff and therefore unsuitable.

Actually a number of people have removed the notch filter and think it improves the sound. It will be interesting to see what modifications John can do to the MG.

 

[Yikes]

It's actually been months since John has sold a 3910 without the super Siltech wire upgrade. My 3910 has every available option. He dug up some new part that he says makes a tremendous difference. So far only two players have this upgraded part (I forget what it is.) and mine is one of them. It sure does sound SWEET!

When I find out what modifications he proposes I'll post it in the Amplifier forum. I'm sort of frightened at what the cost of such customized work will be. I'm anticipating that it will end up costing two to three times what the OTL/32 originally sold for. Then my system will be truly unique, and hopefully truly KICK ASS!

The only real problem is that he has to do my amp when he has some free time, and the backlog of 3910’s is about a month. So it doesn’t look like he has much free time.