Oblivion | UltraSonic Studios

Discussion in 'Headphone Amplifiers and Combo (DAC/Amp) Units' started by Maxx134, Jun 10, 2019.

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  1. elmoe

    elmoe Friend

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    Could be they use a swedish transporter while packages are in Sweden and cant/wont insure packages not handled by their own employees the whole way.
     
  2. purr1n

    purr1n Desire for betterer is endless.

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    I would like to use this Swedish transporter:
    [​IMG]
     
  3. SonicTrance

    SonicTrance MOT: Ultrasonic Studios

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    I just finished a Citadel with impedance switch, speaker outputs and RCA inputs. This is the first Citadel with the new layout. I'm very happy with how it turned out.

    [​IMG] [​IMG] [​IMG] [​IMG] [​IMG]

    I also have an announcement to make.
    I'll have to start a business soon as orders are coming in. This will, unfortunately, mean price increases. This is not something I want to do, but I have to if I want to keep on selling these amps. This will still be my hobby and not my full time job.

    I'll give people a chance to order with current prices until February 1st, then I'll do the price increases.
    I'll also change from USD to EUR. This is because it's easier for me to shop for parts with EUR (it's still not Swedish currency). I've already made the change to EUR on the website without any price increase.

    New prices as of February 1st will be:
    Oblivion: 1750 EUR
    Citadel: 2150 EUR

    With this increase my overall profits will still much LOWER than it is now.

    Next up is @purr1n Oblivion!
     
  4. famish99

    famish99 Friend

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    Was this just UPS or did you try asking FedEx and DHL as well?
     
  5. sacredgates

    sacredgates Audio-Technica's high priest

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    Regarding shipping:
    I‘m in a similar position as you, having to ship relatively expensive goods, but not in such quantity that would give me the (much) better rates couriers offer their high volume customers.
    Since a few years there are platforms which put themselves in between you and the shipping couriers. They work together with some of the most renowned companies like DHL, UPS and others. By doing so, much better prices become possible. What’s more, they usually offer you a comparative list of all available choices with different courier services and delivery speed options and oft extra insurance options in regard to your specific shipment requirement.

    I usually use packlink, but that one is in German only.
    Jumingo is not bad either, and with them you can set your country and some language choices. I recommend you check this out; you can get quotes easily directly online.
    This might be of interest for SBAF members in general for international shipping especially... you can ship as a private person, no problem.

    Packlink Pro (sorry, again only in German language) is meant for people who run a business like me, and has slightly better conditions + better personalization and online account infos / document storage. Especially the optional (or extra on top of included insurance limit) insurance of new items is reasonable. Used items can´t be insured on top of the courier’s included limit with Packlink Pro though.
     
    Last edited: Jan 7, 2020
  6. SonicTrance

    SonicTrance MOT: Ultrasonic Studios

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    FedEx and DHL as well. I've used DHL and they only let me insure to about 500 euros. Can't have that. My only requirements are fast and insured shipping and preferably cheap.

    @sacredgates
    Thanks for the tips! I'll look into it. I'm all for finding a good alternative!
     
  7. SonicTrance

    SonicTrance MOT: Ultrasonic Studios

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    @purr1n Oblivion is just complete. Burning in now. :)

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]
     
  8. scojoe

    scojoe New

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    Hi,

    New member here waiting on delivery of the Citadel Custom (new on the site) which should be arriving in a week or so.

    Chain; MBP > Roon+Tidal HiFi > ultraRendu (AoIP) w/UltraCap LPS-1 > Singer SU1 KTE (i2s) > Holo Spring KTE > WA33 w/upgraded tubes & GS-X mk2.

    Main listening headphones; Utopia / HE1Kv2 / GS2000e / HEDDphone (incoming today).
    Other headphones; RS1i / GH2 / 325is

    Joe
     
  9. scojoe

    scojoe New

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    @FlySweep
    What is it you dislike about my post?
     
  10. Jerry

    Jerry Friend

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    Hi scojoe,

    Sbaf likes higher signal-to-noise ratio. Your post is considered noise as it doesnt add much value. Instead, pse post your impressions when you already have the Citadel.

    Welcome btw.
     
  11. scojoe

    scojoe New

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    Thanks for the reply, and also the welcome.
     
  12. nishan99

    nishan99 Friend

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    @purr1n Have you received the amp yet? any impressions?
     
  13. Lyander

    Lyander Official SBAF Equitable Empathizer

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  14. rhythmdevils

    rhythmdevils MOT: rhythmdevils audio

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    Reading the impressions here, it seems the Oblivion does not sound the same with electrodynamics vs orthos. With Audeze's there's no bass emphasis. Here are some brief impressions cross posted with the "best amps for orthos" thread.

    Keep in mind, this Oblivion has upgraded caps and I believe NOS tubes.

    [​IMG]

    Pi2AES -> Yggdrasil -> amps -> modded Audeze's (but these impressions will apply to stock Audeze's as well)

    Oblivion vs Liquid Gold X
    1. The Oblivion has a bigger soundstage
    2. A smoother tone while not being overly euphonic, not mushy at all
    3. I read the impressions thread here and everyone called the Oblivion “bassy” using electrodynamics. It’s not bassy at all with Audeze’s it’s very well balanced. Bass quality is very very good. Tons of thump and slam and texture.
    4. No recessed vocal range like most tube amps with Audeze large driver orthos
    5. Oblivion has loud hum with the sensitive Audeze's like the LCD-X, LCD-4z and LCD-MX4 and a very slight hum with the LCD-4 even
    6. Less dynamic than the LauX
    7. Transients are softer than the LauX
    8. It's less resolving and clear sounding than the LauX
    9. Sounds like it has less grip on the drivers than the Laux
    10. Overall I prefer the LauX but miss the smoother tone of the Oblivion

    Oblivion vs Liquid Glass with Sylvania Bad Boy tubes
    1. Liquid Glass is basically just better in every way with no hum
    2. Better attacks, sharper transients, better more realistic tone, more juicy micro detail, better sense of control of the drivers.
    3. This is tube dependent, there are plenty of tubes that would make the amps sort of on a level playing field, but this is one of the advantages of the glass, it can take sooo many tube types, while the Oblivion has very limited options, I can't find hardly any NOS tubes for it.
     
  15. cskippy

    cskippy Creamy warmpoo

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    I found a significant difference between the low and high impedance settings with the low impedance setting offering better transient snap and microdynamics.
     
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  16. rhythmdevils

    rhythmdevils MOT: rhythmdevils audio

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    I found the same, and the noise level is lower which worked better.
     
  17. nishan99

    nishan99 Friend

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    Agreed.
    Also the high impedance switch gave my Verite (300ohm) better macrodynamics, soundstage width and sub bass.
     
  18. SonicTrance

    SonicTrance MOT: Ultrasonic Studios

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    If it has loud hum something is not right with the amp. It can have some residual background noise on low impedance but that's it. It shouldn't be loud at all.
     
  19. nishan99

    nishan99 Friend

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    I don't have any hum on mine regardless of the impedance setting using the Verite open and HE1000se which is pretty sensitive ortho.
     
  20. rhythmdevils

    rhythmdevils MOT: rhythmdevils audio

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    Even with the LCD-4z that is 15ohms and 98 dB/1mW sensitivity?

    thank you for the comment!
     

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