The all new Continental Dual Mono

[vhsownsbeta]

Dump the DAC, half the price and I'll buy 10 (okay, 9).

Agreed. At least as an option. It wouldn't even have to be half the price...

Full respect for the time and effort vinnie has put into creating an cohesive all-in-one solution but I really love being able to mix/match source and amp.

 

[sfoclt]

Also, anyone know the exact dimensions?  I haven't seen that detail anywhere.

 

[Vinnie R.]

All,
 
Here are some CDM specifications:
 
RMS per channel, both channels driven:
 
SE
 
80mW into 32 ohms
95mW into 50 ohms
75mW into 150 ohms
60mW into 300 ohms
 
BAL
 
125mW into 32 ohms
145mW into 50 ohms
110mW into 150 ohms
95mW into 300 ohms
 
 
Input impedance SE: 10k
Input impednace BAL: 50k
 
Output impedance SE and BAL: < 1 ohm
 
 
The approx. dimensions of the case are:
 
5.75" L  x  3.25" W  x  1" H
 
145mm L  x  82mm W  x  25mm H
 
 
- Vinnie

 

[sfoclt]

Thanks!  That size is just right.

 

[IceClass]

  Thanks!  That size is just right.

 
I was rather hoping they might get a wee bit off each side.

 

[Vinnie R.]

 For vinnie: For the design using the 8741 dac, how difficult would it have been to have a digital filter switch? Would just like to pick your mind on how the design happened and interested in how this was crossed out.

 
Hi mrmax,
 
Not difficult at all, but that would be one more switch (we already have hi/low gain switch on the front, and input select switch on the back) and we were trying
to keep the look/feel as uncomplicated as possible.

 
We all preferred the more natural sound of the WM8741's Minimal Phase digital filter setting - so that was easy!
 
 
Hi ZERO1,
 
Yes, fully balanced and I just posted the power specs above.
 
 

Dump the DAC, half the price and I'll buy 10 (okay, 9). 

 
I know you probably mean well, but that's kind of like telling an automobile manufacturer to "dump the engine and half the price...."  (if you already have an engine that you
want to install in the car).  
 
The dac was part of the design goal of offering BOTH analog and digital inputs, and getting the digital section to sound the way we wanted ("less digital" sounding - for one). 
For when the CDM is used at the desktop, being able to simply plug in the USB cable and enjoy great sound quality is important to many of ALO's customers (but of course not all of them). 
 
And being able to enjoy the convenience of using an iPhone/iPad or Android phone/tablet and feeding the CDM digitally (e.g. streaming lossless with the TIDAL app) and getting great sound quality
makes for another reason why the dac is included.

 
Thanks for your posts!
 
Vinnie

 

[Vinnie R.]

   
I was rather hoping they might get a wee bit off each side.

 
It is approx. the width of the iPhone 6+ (which sits on it ever so nicely). 

 

[audionewbi]

The thing is in most cases the dac on devices of such size are just a bonus feature, an add it always involves some sort of compromise.

It is unfair to think of your design but that is the logic behind wanting a dedicated amp.

 

[matt8268]

​If it's as good as my CLAS -R/Continental V2 rig, I going to want one bad!

 
I also have and love the CLAS/Continental V2 combo. Hard to think about moving away from it. I was at Canjam and listened to the new CDM, and it betters the combo. Here is the ALO portion of my show impressions post:
 

Ken and ALO are always one of my favorite stops. I use the ALO Continental v2 in my primary (transportable) rig and love it. So crystal clear and big soundstage with some tubey lushness. I tried Ken’s new prototype Continental Dual Mono with my JH13s. The sound was a definite step up from what I’m using (the CDM has a DAC as well to replace the Algorhythm Solo in my rig). The sound was more focused and “right there” in comparison to my existing setup, but kept key elements of what I love about my existing ALO tube amp. Ken says the balanced outputs sound even better, and I believe him. The CDM is on my covet list.

 
Ken and Vinnie, pay no heed to the Daccy Downers, I want that DAC in there man! One box to rule them all!

 

[IceClass]

   
It is approx. the width of the iPhone 6+ (which sits on it ever so nicely). 

 
Except the iPhone is a phone, not a DAP. And it's big. The closer it gets to the dimensions of a regular ipod touch in a case or a cased Classic the better for me.
I have no use for an oversized iPhone and don't see myself getting one just to serve files to the Continental. 
That's a bit of a bummer. In a perfect world, I'd prefer it were thicker rather than wider and longer. 
 

The thing is in most cases the dac on devices of such size are just a bonus feature, an add it always involves some sort of compromise.

It is unfair to think of your design but that is the logic behind wanting a dedicated amp.

 
My experience so far, has mirrored yours although I'm willing to be pleasantly surprised and don't mind the space savings.

 

[XERO1]

.

 

[Vinnie R.]

The thing is in most cases the dac on devices of such size are just a bonus feature, an add it always involves some sort of compromise.

It is unfair to think of your design but that is the logic behind wanting a dedicated amp.

 
Hi audionewbi,
 
We definitely did not add the CDM digital input as a "throw in / bonus feature" - we wanted to include an excellent sounding dac - and specifically ALO requested something
that was very natural, organic, open, detailed but not sounding like there is a microscope over your music, and with good kick / PRAT.  
 
Most "bonus / throw in" dacs in portable amps simply do NOT care about using dedicated linear voltage regulators, separate linear regulation for the analog output stage, self-powered USB,
a high quality clock IC, minimal phase filter, etc.  We definitely paid attention when it came to the entire digital side of the CDM so ALO's customers didn't have to be concerned with
the question "what dac should I use?"  Or "is the built-in dac any good?" 
 
Of course, the proof is in the listening and only YOU can make the final call if we did a so-so, good, or (hopefully) great job with the dac and the entire CDM.
 
Nobody is saying that it is "the best" (what really is, anyway?  It's all a matter of taste as you all know) - but what we really want is for people to say "For $1495 - this
thing is totally worth it in terms of sound quality, build quality, customer service - and is a great value compared to x, y, and z."   Where x, y, z, etc. might be:
 
- Using a certain portable amp and portable dac in the CDM price range, or above
- Using another dac / amp in the CDM price range, or above
- Even comparing to a larger, more expensive desktop rig
 
If that is what most of the CDM customers / listeners believe after they listen to CDM - then we will then know we succeeded!
 
Thanks again,
 
Vinnie

 

[XERO1]

Question:
 
Are both rear inputs (SE and BAL) active simultaneously, or does one take precedence over the other if both are connected to sources?
 
Thanks.

 

[Vinnie R.]

  That's a bit of a bummer. In a perfect world, I'd prefer it were thicker rather than wider and longer. 

 
Hi IceClass,
 
In a perfect world for the designer / manufacturer, there would be one universal size and shape that the whole world accepted and loved.  How we
wish it were the case (although it probably would be boring).
 
But I totally hear you and understand that thicker rather than wider / longer would better for you. It's hard as the designer / manufacturer to get the size and shape that
appeals to everyone.  Some are going to be "A-OK" with it, and some are not going to like it as much.  We understand that, and do appreciate your feedback.  Feedback from
customers / potential customers is always helpful - at least when considering future product designs. 
 
Long story short, if you don't like something with the CDM, give Ken hell for it! 

   
 
Vinnie
 
 
 

 

[Vinnie R.]

  Question:
 
Are both rear inputs (SE and BAL) active simultaneously, or does one take precedence over the other if both are connected to sources?
 
Thanks.

 
Good question!
 
Both are active at the same time, so if you connect two sources, you don't want to have them both playing music at the same time. 
 
I highly recommend that you only connect one analog source at a time (either SE, or BAL.  Not both at the same time)
 
But it is OK to have USB and an analog source (SE or BAL) connected at the same time, and use the input toggle switch to select.
 
Vinnie