Revamp AE-1

[j24]

Romanee said:

Quote:

haven't yet seen this posted here, but Justin W. posted a notice in Jahn's "Before&After" thread that's very exciting: Quote: Originally Posted by justin w. Romanee, I'll have the new AE-1 at your NYC meet this weekend, in prototype enclosure form. There isn't a component in the circuitry that has not been changed from the original, so it's a completely new amplifier -Justin

Everybody is talking about the new Ray Samuels Audio -> "The Tomahawk". Finally some news from HeadAmp concerning their portable amp.
Is someone going to provide feedback on this amp for the ones not being to attend the NYC meet?

 

[socrates63]

You can bet that the usual suspects from the NYC contingent will post their impressions -- no doubting that.

Since Jahn previously owned the AE-1, his comments should be interesting.

 

[Romanee]

I will definitely listen to Justin's new AE-1 at the Nov. 4 NYC Area Meet and post some comments after the meet, and you can be sure other attendees will do likewise. I've had the extended loan of jjcha's AE-1 for several months and have become pretty familiar with it. I was curious about the new version, and after Justin's teaser notes I'm very excited about hearing his new prototype and Ray's Tomahawk prototype as well.

Here's the brief sequence of posts:

Quote:

Originally Posted by Romanee I haven't yet seen this posted here, but Justin W. posted a notice in Jahn's "Before&After" thread that's very exciting:

Quote:

Originally Posted by justin w. Romanee, I'll have the new AE-1 at your NYC meet this weekend, in prototype enclosure form. There isn't a component in the circuitry that has not been changed from the original, so it's a completely new amplifier -Justin

...and my reply to Justin:

Quote:

Originally Posted by Romanee Yaaaayyyy! Thank You Justin!!! I'll be at that table with bells (ooops) various headphones on. And thanks for the bit of info on the extent of the "revises". I was wondering how much you were changing it. Cheers!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Romanee Wow! We'll "just" have 2 of them at the Nov. 4 meet, but there are at least 4 new and exciting portables on the horizon: RSA Tomahawk (mostly IEM-dedicated) Headamp "AE-1" revamped and also to come, though not yet... ISA Diablo (IEM-emphasized, but "universal") Portaphile "Shohin" -- we'll probably find out something fairly soon. More, anyone? ...well, that's more than enough for the moment.

 

[aluren]

man, the holiday season is looking good!

i hope somebody has the supermacro IV at the NYC meet so they can compare that as well...

 

[j24]

Nobody with pictures and input on the AE-1 from the NYC meet? I read the current thread but nobody has posted feedback on this amp.

 

[Jahn]

there is feedback on the amp there now, but still no pics. i really wish i coulda been there to hear it!

 

[Jahn]

Quote:

Originally Posted by aluren i hope somebody has the supermacro IV at the NYC meet so they can compare that as well...

Unfortunately, NYC seems to be a bit of a dead spot for Xin products, even at the Portable-specific meets. Someone's gotta break into this market here for Xin!

 

[kugino]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jahn Unfortunately, NYC seems to be a bit of a dead spot for Xin products, even at the Portable-specific meets. Someone's gotta break into this market here for Xin!

like the heisman race, it's due to "east-coast bias"...

 

[Siebel]

We can't help we play better football

Quote:

Originally Posted by kugino like the heisman race, it's due to "east-coast bias"...

 

[Asr]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jahn Unfortunately, NYC seems to be a bit of a dead spot for Xin products, even at the Portable-specific meets. Someone's gotta break into this market here for Xin!

I think I might have to personally do something about this situation.

 

[Romanee]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jahn Unfortunately, NYC seems to be a bit of a dead spot for Xin products, even at the Portable-specific meets. Someone's gotta break into this market here for Xin!

It would help if Dr. Xin would send us his best so would could get together and hear what they can do. I don't know why NYC has been such a Xin-free zone, but as a result we can't comment in any way about his very popular products, except to say that we haven't heard any current versions and therefore can't comment.

I think our merry band is mature and trustworthy enough that we would give them a fair, thorough and intelligent workout, and comment with as much objectivity as we can muster -- with a pretty good depth and breadth of experience -- and ship them back in pristine condition. Perhaps he really is just too busy producing and selling them. Pity.

 

[j24]

someone can correct me if I'm wrong but reading thru the NYC meet thread feedback, it doesn't seem that the AE-1 made a big impression on any participants. Seems that the consensus is too bass heavy. Am I wrong?

 

[justin w.]

j24,

I searched the entire thread you are referring to and can't find more than one mention of AE-1 and bass?

-Justin

 

[j24]

Machead said:

Quote:

I thought the AE-1 was rather bass-heavy (again, with the E4) and not ideal for the acoustic music I listen to most of the time.

on page 5 of the thread.

Sorry, should not have generalized but I also listened to accoustic music.

 

[Andrea]

Justin I don't know if I may ask, but I've always had this curiosity... does the AE-1 employ an all-discrete, all-chip, or mixed circuit topology? If you don't want to share this, never mind and sorry If I caused embarrassment.