I own an EAD Theatremaster Ovation-8 and have been considering for some time now as to whether or not I should send it to Noble for upgrades. Could you possibly detail exactly what upgrades were done and how much the total cost for all the upgrades were?
EAD Processor
After visiting a couple of my local audio shops, I had gotten the bug to get a quality two channel pre-amp into my HT system again. I ran an ARC-LS25 with NOS tubes for a couple of years and felt I was missing out on the added detail, bloom and sound-stage that it brought to my system.
I was getting ready to pull the trigger on a ARC-LS26 or Aesthetix unit, when I contacted Noble Electric about an intermittent problem I had with my EAD 8800 Pro processor. They said it was probably a software issue, as I didn�t have the last version that was released for that unit.
So as long as I was sending it in, I figured I have them look at up-grading and modifying it. I figured I would still need the processor for movies and multi-channel SACD�s even it I got a new two channel pre amp.
I had them do just about everything they could with the unit, at least with the front two channels.
I got the unit back a couple of weeks ago and all I can say is WOW!!! Right out of the box it sounded like a completely different unit, dead quiet background, huge sound stage and tons of detail, stuff I had not heard in the past. It continues to sound sweeter after each listening. I now have no desire at all to get a two channel pre-amp�.. Well maybe an ARC Ref 3.
I do have a strong desire to up-grade my turntable /cartridge now� It never ends does it. The analog pass through sound so much better now, it really shows the weakness of my current set-up.
I have no relation with Nobel and have never had them do any work on my equipment before, so it took a little �leap of faith� to have the work done. If you own an EAD processor, do yourself a favor and send it in to these guys, you will not be sorry. Best �bang for the buck� I�ve had in a long time!
My system:
- Ayre V1 power amp for the front two channels
- Two Ayre V3�s, one bi-amps the front center and one for the rear�s
- Sony XA777EX SACD player
- Music Hall MMF-7 turntable with a Shure V15 cartridge
- Primare phone stage
- Five custom NorthCreek Rhythm Revelators speakers with external crossovers and Cardas internal wiring
- Two custom NorthCreek 18� subs driven by a Threshold 500 se amp
- Cables are either Cardas or NBS
- Four 20 amp power lines provide juice to the system
I was getting ready to pull the trigger on a ARC-LS26 or Aesthetix unit, when I contacted Noble Electric about an intermittent problem I had with my EAD 8800 Pro processor. They said it was probably a software issue, as I didn�t have the last version that was released for that unit.
So as long as I was sending it in, I figured I have them look at up-grading and modifying it. I figured I would still need the processor for movies and multi-channel SACD�s even it I got a new two channel pre amp.
I had them do just about everything they could with the unit, at least with the front two channels.
I got the unit back a couple of weeks ago and all I can say is WOW!!! Right out of the box it sounded like a completely different unit, dead quiet background, huge sound stage and tons of detail, stuff I had not heard in the past. It continues to sound sweeter after each listening. I now have no desire at all to get a two channel pre-amp�.. Well maybe an ARC Ref 3.
I do have a strong desire to up-grade my turntable /cartridge now� It never ends does it. The analog pass through sound so much better now, it really shows the weakness of my current set-up.
I have no relation with Nobel and have never had them do any work on my equipment before, so it took a little �leap of faith� to have the work done. If you own an EAD processor, do yourself a favor and send it in to these guys, you will not be sorry. Best �bang for the buck� I�ve had in a long time!
My system:
- Ayre V1 power amp for the front two channels
- Two Ayre V3�s, one bi-amps the front center and one for the rear�s
- Sony XA777EX SACD player
- Music Hall MMF-7 turntable with a Shure V15 cartridge
- Primare phone stage
- Five custom NorthCreek Rhythm Revelators speakers with external crossovers and Cardas internal wiring
- Two custom NorthCreek 18� subs driven by a Threshold 500 se amp
- Cables are either Cardas or NBS
- Four 20 amp power lines provide juice to the system
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