RSA **Predator** A review in stages ** With some "NEW" images on 1st and page 64 . . .

[jamato8]

So what are some listening impressions so far?

 

[HeadphoneAddict]

Pretty Darn Impressive at 76 hours.

It drives my New Edition 9's (12 hours) to perfection as well...

 

[MrSlacker]

do you guys keep a log book where you record when and how long you are using the amp?

 

[jamato8]

My log is on here and a few notes on my computer. I know when I got the amp and keep it running all the time so I normally know how much time it has on it. Well normally, but I have been known to miscalculate so just say, Hey if you got this on the 17th of Dec with 300 hours of use and you run it all the time how could you have 1000 hours and you have only had it 10 days. Oh, yeah. . . . recalculate.. . :^). So as a log with a known start date and hours of burn-in prior to use, this thread is documentation for me.

On a normal basis I wouldn't want to keep a log but I thought it might be kind of interesting, maybe. . . .

 

[jamato8]

I am at around 650 hours minus 12. I turned the amp off for around 12 hours as I find that this works better in the forming of the caps then leaving them on all the time. I first discussed this with Audio Note UK many years ago and found it had been their practice for some time.

The amp at this point has very good bass definition in that it is placed within the recording where it should be and not just bass notes. It has speed and impact that flows with the rhythm of the music as an integral part. The upper mids have just the right amount of bite to them, which is something I like, as it imparts a realism and excitement to the music.

While listening to Jackson Browne in his live solo acoustical album (a very well recorded and enjoyable album) the crowd is placed well back and yet they are distinct and definable. The clapping is neither a mass of static or over emphasized but placed at a believable and natural distance. You can feel the hall ambience and space. The vocal rendering of Jackson Browne has a good tonal quality with just enough feeling of chest volume. The piano he plays has nice weight and pace with beautiful hanging notes. The guitar has a sweet sound and you can hear the body of the instrument. This isn't a home amp but it is, in my opinion, one of the elite of portable units.

 

[chouman]

Which headphones are you using in this review?

 

[jamato8]

I use the Ultrasone 750's and the HD650's. I have also used the PortaPros when walking around and I have used the UM2's (but limited as I don't really like them).

 

[Leo-]

Quote:

Originally Posted by grawk /img/forum/go_quote.gif Ah... it's possible to use the Nokia 810 tablet that way, i believe, and it's pretty darn small.

grawk,

are you sure that the N810 could be used as a digital audio source?

 

[Leo-]

Quote:

Originally Posted by jamato8 /img/forum/go_quote.gif I am at around 650 hours minus 12. I turned the amp off for around 12 hours as I find that this works better in the forming of the caps then leaving them on all the time. I first discussed this with Audio Note UK many years ago and found it had been their practice for some time.

so, j8, do you have a suggestion of burning-in process for this? something like leave it on all the time and turn off for 12 hours from time to time?

I guess that what´s playing would make some difference too, doesnt it? or do you count the time there´s no music flowing too?

 

[jamato8]

I use the music I like to listen to but pink noise can also be used. Pink noise can over load an amp because of the entire frequency range used. In this case I wouldn't worry about it as I am referring to amps used for speakers if used at too high a volume and for a long period of time. I would think the extra current demand of the pink noise might speed up the process and yes a period of 8 to 10 hours of down time periodically seems to work well in the forming of the caps. No, I don't count the time when no music is playing as there is no signal going through the amp. The caps do have a charge on them but very minimal current is flowing.

 

[grawk]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Leo- /img/forum/go_quote.gif grawk, are you sure that the N810 could be used as a digital audio source?

I'm pretty sure it can be used as a usb host. Plug the pico in, and play back.

 

[jlingo]

Predator DAC became musical now, that's a good improvement after 50hrs of burning in. I wouldn't want to go into the details yet. So the DAC side sounds better now. The first time I received it, I couldn't really listen to the DAC. It was just too dry and digital, but not anymore.

Anyone knows how is the size of predator compared to the Tomahawk?

 

[immtbiker]

Quote:

Originally Posted by jlingo /img/forum/go_quote.gif Anyone knows how is the size of predator compared to the Tomahawk?

Read the last 10 pages of the thread, it is stated a couple of times.
Before asking a question, please read the thread to see if it has already been asked.

 

[chowk]

Quote:

Originally Posted by immtbiker /img/forum/go_quote.gif Read the last 10 pages of the thread, it is stated a couple of times. Before asking a question, please read the thread to see if it has already been asked.

Alternatively, you could try searching this thread...

 

[SR-71Panorama]

Quote:

Originally Posted by immtbiker /img/forum/go_quote.gif Read the last 10 pages of the thread, it is stated a couple of times. Before asking a question, please read the thread to see if it has already been asked.

Whats a predator?