Audio Aero Capitole MK II: Performance & Problems


Capitole MKII users, kindly update on the sonic virtues but also on any repeated technical problems. No forum postings since a week! Have these problems stopped? I understand that some units needed a software update; have these been recalled? Does the performance justify the high price? Please contribute.
lall
Hi Matt

mzn50 is me ...
Matt Nalbandian
in Ottawa

Web : http://members.rogers.com/mzn50/ although significant changes in my setup.. gone to tubes ..

So anyway, no worries, I am sure I speak for lots when I say we all have those moments .. trust me, I sell to the Canadian Govt ... that alone leads me to psychiatric help !!

Good Luck

Matt
Yes, I agree it was bad taste. I appologise to Audio Aero and all owners of Audio Aero products. I`m sure the problems have been corrected since my departure from Globe, and I`m sure they did everything possible for their customers. Please regard this stupid outburst the result of a very bad day. I`m sure we have all said things without thinking.
Sincerely
Matthew Brazeau
Who is Mzn50? at least I use my name. Bad taste you have know idea of the bad taste I had daily for acouple of years. By the way this was over a five year period. I have been gone from Globe for almost a year, and if things have improved thats great. I didn`t involve myself because I thought it sounded bad. As I tried to say I tried, unsucessfuly, to avoid some of the issues customers had with the products. I have left audio, after 30 years I`m burnt out.
I think its in bad taste to bring out the laundry, Matt, kinda surprising.. lots of companies have issues.. especially smaller outfits, not all can be Harmon.. I love my CAP.

Your post does beg the question.. why you posted this ripping post where are you working now ?

Matt
I have one disc that it will not play, Shefield labs "My Disk" I have tried it in 4 capitole mkII's and it just will not read the disc. That is the only disc I had problems playing and seeing as it is technical and not really music it doesn't bother me much at all.
My player doesn't play Robbie Williams: Escapology and other discs that are copy protected. These discs are marked with a black circle with a black arrow inside. Have anybody had problems like this with the mk.2? Or is it just my player? I've bought my player in january 2003.
I'm with Tire Guy. I'm very happy with my AA
and The guys at Global have been great. My CD
player has the P4 chip and works great.
Yeah I agree with the uncle, I've had no problems and nothing but an enjoyable experience with my player. The guys at Globe are great, they never seem like "oh no not another capitole II customer on the phone.... what to do now???" Sounds like you had some problems with them and let it effect a level of professionalism that should never be crossed. Regardless of what you feel or think, being in the business of all people you should know better. I know a few people who had some problems, nothing that hasn't been fixed.
I spent over two years trying to correct these problems
To me it doesn't sound like you felt it was worth your time and never really cared. So what are you selling now? which competetor are you representing?? or should I say misrepresenting?? The Audio Aero Capitole MkII has been the BEST COMPONENT I have owned to date!
Rightyo Unclejeff!
That was OLD news. All of the newer Capitoles have been great, especially the ones from this year, from what I hear!!
Ouch, Matt! I am having great fun with my Audio Aero. I am now happier I bought an almost new one, for half of the price. Still, I really do love the sound and from most of these threads I see many happy customers since the P4 chip thing got fixed. I really would cry if mine failed. I love it!
I was involved with the distribution of Audio Aero even before Globe Audio, and with Globe as a partner. Dealing with Audio Aero for almost five years forced me to resign from the company. This company has had greater than than seventy persent failure of all their products and never improved all the time I was involved with Globe. There are several reasons for this. Poor workmanship, improper testing, very poor quality controle, poor constuction, and no concept of production planning. We had a nine month delay in the release of the MK11, and when they were received another delay waiting for a programing chip that took another couple of months, and then going through three different chips. I asked Audio Aero not to release the MKII for one year so they could be properly tested, this obviously didn`t happen. I spent over two years trying to correct these problems with little success. The blame doesn`t rest with delivery problems, it is a result of poor consruction. The packaging was double boxed and you could have had it shipped in a wooden box, but one good bump could easily damage the unit because of poor constuction. I could go on for pages of problems with Audio Aero (and these problems were consistent right across their product line) but I would have a posting longer than War and Peace. I have kept myself away from this discussion for a long while, but Audio Aero needs a good slap.
Matthew Brazeau
Make sure you didn't accidentally change the digital out option with the channel buttons on the left side of the player, or at the remote. The Capitole allows you to switch between which digital input is going to the output (direct)or from the player itself.
You might try starting a new thread with this problem. I doubt this one will continue to attract the attention of the AA experts.
seems to have lost digital out capabilities from my CAPII ?
swapped inputs on pre/pro, swapped cables both nogo

I know the prepro and cable is fine as I swapped in another component.
Interestingly enough; Installed a digital feed into the coax and it fed it with no problems in both coax out and also CD out, which surprised me..

Powered down and left it off for 20 mins... no change
All other Digital components are working fine so its not the Pre/pro.


Any suggestions ? .. is there a reboot option on the CAP ?
Mejames: thanks for the clarifying to Golden ears. Yes my last post was dated 11/13/02 and my Capitole is working very fine.
I am now trying to get the best out of my new speakers, the Kharma CRM 1.2.
Due to the heavy weight, speaker positioning is not an easy job.
But the Capitole is a clear winner and I will stick with it for a very long time.
Mejames (and Lall) you're right; I apologize.
That irrelevant posting from Unclejeff is the one that dragged this posting back up to the top. I incorrectly assumed that because it's Lall's original posting at the top. But the fact that the posting was dragged back up by the new message is like dredging it all back up again. I'm an A.A. fan myself and I just saw red.
Hey, I'm a relative newbie here. I'll consider myself "slapped".
At least people will see from my update that the new Capitoles are working great!
11/13/02 is the last post by Lall so what are you talking about"dredging up"? agenda? Last time I heard from Lall he was very pleased with his Capitol 2 player.
Hi!
Golly, no replies! It looks like Audio Aero has the problems "licked" with the latest batch. (And since no one has reported new problems with new posts, I kinda' wonder why you're dredging this OLD posting up again??? Give it a rest Lall; you wouldn't want to make people think you have an agenda here, would you?)
I hear that Globe/Audio Aero are doing whatever is necessary to take care of the owners of players that were issued previously. There were software-related problems, which is quite common and easily corrected with new chips, etc. The problems in many players were related to shipping damage (I think we can all relate to that!) and Audio Aero has made improvements in design to compensate for gorilla abuse.
Are there differances is COAX (RCA Digital) Cables? i shall soon be running my DVD Player through my Capitole and I would appreciate any input.
the Capitol Mark 2 does indeed output the digital information read by the transport via the bnc digital output jack[The only digital output on the Capitol].You don't need to access the menus to change anything just connect the appropriate digital cable between the player and your digital converter.
Are you asking to get a digital output from a playing CD on the MKII ?.. didn't know that was possible, I thought only the Digital input of whatever other source is upsampled and then outputted via the BNC digital output..

BNC is used because its the best connection(I believe).
BNC is also certified to accepts and send digital audio conforming to the 75Ω S/PDIF digital interface standards and it offers the best and most secure connection. More equipment should have BNC as standard IMHO.

BTW, you can also get at your local Rat Shack gold BNC to RCA plugs.(adapter)

thanks

Matt
http://members.rogers.com/mzn50/
hello what's the secret combination to getting a Mark 2 to send the data read off the CD through the digital output connection[bnc] so it can feed my digital converter? Why didn't they make the bnc output a coax connection? I have the correct digital cable with the correct ends just not getting sound output from the digital converter? Help please or I may have to shoot the player. Where are my bullets anyway?
One does kinda get used to the cap II, doesn't one? Kinda like a favorite old shoe... :-)

Mike (aka justacoder)
Interesting article on the upcoming Audio Aero SACD/DVD player at: http://www.HIGHENDNEWS.COM/

Specifically, "Audio Aero's new SACD player converts DSD to PCM to improve sound":

http://www.highfidelityreview.com/news/news.asp?newsnumber=19290567

Mike.
This is a correction to my post of 11-07-02.
The chip in my CDP was P1 and not P2. It has now been replaced and no problems after that. Everything works perfectly.
Lall hadn't had time to try your emailed instructions yet probably have time today. Thanks.
Subaruguru, it is certainly the same here in the U.S. software industry (kind of obvious, huh? ever had software with any bugs in it? uncountably many did you say? ... :-). Same divide between management who wants the product shipped yesterday and (most of) the engineers who want it to work first...:-)
Hey Subaru-- there you go, sounding like general de Gaulle :)! (Wasn't it "350 fromages" he mentioned?). Anyway, I can relate to your experience! Cheers
Here's some useless information: In my prior life I was a QA and manufacturing engineer for a laboratory equipment company, eventually writing ISO standards for such. My work involved lots of hands-on work with several French manufacturers over a decade. trying to teach these iconoclastic engineers and political managers to implement good QA into their production was nearly impossible. White collar and blue collar do NOT mix well in southern European technical manufacturing. I'm a french engineer, yet I must state that trying to get consistent production of clones in a country of 400+ cheeses was impossible. If you opened up a dozen Capitoles I would be surprised if you'd find two that were wired or configured identically! Hence the variability in performance and reliability....
It may be the rare case that AA DOES operate with more stability and control, so my apologies if they fall into that camp. Hell, even my Norwegian CDP's production has evolved (?) through various iterations, such that modding it is less than straightforward due to variability across a manufacturing run. I'm glad I gave up on that career. Companies now brag about ISO 9001/2 compliance, although it's just a documentation paper trail scheme without real assurance teeth....
Just hope you got a good one!
I have a p3 chip installed which now gives volume readings in db's but it has the disadvantage of not allowing remote access to tracks numbered greater than 9.
There is a p4 available to sort this out but I don't think I can be bothered.
I recommend shun mook discs under the bdr's sounds great.
Lall,

I have the P3 chip and I have only one problem remaining. The "time remaining" display (on track or disc) will switch the ":" between minutes and seconds to a random numeral. When last I spoke with Jody from Globe Audio he informed me that this anomaly should be fixed with the P4 chip. P3 chip is fine for everything else.

Listener
Hi Matt
With my CDP, balance adjustment is easy: keep pressing one of the four buttons on the left side of the player (do not release) until you hear a click sound. Release the button and press again, stepwise now, until you see the balance function. Adjust according to requirement. This can also be done from the remote control.
Matt, send me an e-mail if you need further detail.
I don't know if it's same with the P3 or P4 chip. Should be!
Hi Lall
I think I have either P2 or P3, never had any problems, Im just curious, Mejames mentions a way to adjust the balance..how is that done ?

thanks

Matt
My Capitole (P2 chip, after 3 months use, has started its quirks and occasionally misreads the disc. At other times, it refuses to play, with the timer standing still at 00.
I talked to Audio Aero and was informed that the P2 chip may contain some software problem. They are sending me a free software upgrade; I believe it's the P4. I'm not in the US!
Anyone with the P3 or P4 chip encountered any problems?
thanks
lall
For what its worth, Daryl is in Austin, TX and operates a company called Digital Systems. I've spoken with him over the phone and he's a great guy to work with. Very helpful and knowledgeable about the AA Cap MKII.
Call this number 512-335-6019. This is
AA's tech in Dallas. He'll fix it plus
do any up grades and ship back in a couple
days. Mine was under warranty and they paid
return shipping. Ask for Daryl. He was great
to work with. Randy
previous Post indicating reversed channel labeling was incorrect somehow the channel balance changed and again today the balance needed to be changed again, it keeps changing to the left even with the player left on continuously not even standby mode. Any ideas what's causing this behavior? Also can the balance be adjusted from the remote? How? This player occasionally makes me want to toss it into the street because of its operational qwirks does this bother anybody else or is it just me?
Took 15 minutes to adjust the balance and get into play mode again. But that sound no complaints there.
Lall- They are two different products that just happen to share the same unusual name :)
Tireguy: Are the pucks, mentioned in the Capitole book, which may be placed underneath each BDR cone of the Capitole the same puck used to lock the CDs or are they two different products?
Tireguy, thanks for the info.

Are you refering to the AudioQuest "Big Feet" type half-circle pods? I think these are made from Sorbothane, yes?

I have my Capitole on the Vibra-Pods, on a Sanus stand, which has "independent" shelf isolation, but am always wondering about other/different combinations. Anyone tried the "Dead Ball Isolators" ? from Acoustic Dreams? A friend informed me that these things are phenomenal.
Lall- Me and another capitole owner are going to compare the differences with the shelf from BDR and my little half spheres- he has the shelf so I am sending him some sorbothane in the mail and he will compare it with out the shelf, on the shelf and the shelf AND sorbothane. But you are right from the book that came with the capitole it holds the puck in high regards. I am looking forward to hearing the results.
Tireguy: I am wondering whether it would be a good thing to place a puck under each BDR cone. I read somewhere that BRD cones + puck underneath may give about 75% of performance of the BDR shelf. Has anybody tried this?
discovered couple days ago my RCA outlets are labeled backwards on my Mark 2?
Denf- What I found to be best(vibration/footer wise) is to use the BDR cones that come on the unit coupled directly to sorbothane- it is amazing what a difference it makes with the bass and tightening EVERYTHING up and seems to add a little more resolution. When one of my audiophile friends was over I did the comparison for him but didn't tell him what I did and he thought I changed a cable or something large, and couldn't believe the difference it made. But I agree the BDR cones alone leave a little to be desired. I have tried Vibrepods, audio points, apex couplers next I am going to try some shelves to put the unit on- mine sits on the floor currently. Sorbothane is VERY cheap and I would recommend everyone to try it with there system(either hemispheres or half spheres)
For what it's worth... I had to replace the tubes in my version 1 24/192 about 3 months after purchase. One channel was exhibiting "tube rush" noise. I was able to get replacement tubes from Triode Electronics (sorry, don't have web site, but should come up under search).

I replaced them myself, with absolutely NO degradation in sound quality. As I put it to my wife, replacing the tubes was likened to doing minor surgury on your house pet. Not impossible, but requires a steady hand, PATIENCE, and very good lighting/magnifying glass. Also BE SURE TO USE PURE SILVER SOLDER! - (for you do-it-your-selfer's).

BTW , I'm still completely enamoured with my player, now almost a year and a half later. It continues to please and impress.

As a side note, I found the supplied Black Diamond cones to sound fast, but lacked the depth and tautness in the bass. I replaced them with the eminently-affordable Vibra-Pods with excellent results. Imaging, speed, & resolution all still great, but with MUCH better bass reproduction.
It is my understanding it has something
to do with track programing and such.
No sonic benefit at all. I believe they
are in stock at Global.