84audio,
I have never said anything bad about the Exemplar, I loved it so much, I bought the 2900, 3910, exception II, am waiting for a Exception II with siltech, and volume control. It is truely a world class machine. John is a GREAT guy, and a genious. He builds wonderful electronics and speakers. I have also never said it is a harsh or bright player. I also will tell you that you will be thrilled with the 3910, IMHO it is quite an improvement over the 2900. Better detail, extension, soundstage, also has much improved SACD performance along with the HDCD(which I love), DVD-A, AND GREAT video. So, There....
I highly recommend the Exemplar...it is truely a wonderful Machine.
84audio, I am looking for the BEST 2-channel machine which is not dependent on price. I have not only bought, paid for, broken in, listened to these machines, but, others too. Many much more expensive. That being said, all the while I had the Exemplar in my system, and in between all the others, I also owned the APL SACD 1000, which I am listening tp right now, as a matter of fact. SACD is better on the SACD 1000 than on the Exemplar 3910, it is as extended, a bit more dynamic, and just more analogue sounding to me. I have never said the Exemplar was better in SACD, that is the reason I owned both. In my research I found that the NEW Burr Brown Dacs on the 3910, were newer, better than the 2900. I ordered the 3910, In fact I believe I received the first 3910 John modded. I loved it, and continue to do so. At the same time I ordered the 3910 from John, I ordered one from Alex too. I have stated if you read my comments, that the Exemplar was superior in redbook, and the APL in SACD. I would like a 1 box solution to all formats for 2 channel. I was comparing apples and oranges, Phillips vs Denon. I decided the only way I would really know would be to have both my favorite guys, mod the same machines, with their individual flavors.
John keeps the Burr brown Dacs, adds power supply, rewires adds new capacitors, cardas binding posts, clock, transformer, tube stage, siltech wiring and more. The results are a wonderfully extended dynamic player, which is very highly revealing. It really reminds me a lot of the Meitner I listened to at a salon. I tried to buy the meitner with an in home trial, but was told they are on back order only. At about 14K, I was not willing to go that route. Bottom line is it is the most extended digital I have ever heard, but, I was analyzing the music, as much as litening to the music. This is the issue I had with the Exemplar. It is so damned detailed, and wonderful, it is very hard to find fault. But, at the end of my comparisons, I am more satisfied with the APL, in my system, with my ears.
Alex takes a different approach in his mods, he feels that Crytal makes better, more musical dacs, than burr brown. He really tears the machine apart, and uses basically the transport, case, and video of the Denon. He integrates his mods differently, uses the 6H30 instead of the E1800CC, uses different platinum/teflon jacks. different transformers, powersupplies, caps, dacs, silver wiring, ect. The result is a machine that was so different from what I was use too from APL with my SACD 1000, I was astonished. Now with the 3910, upon receiving both, and using the Exception II as pre-amp. I bought 16 sets of redbook/sacd rock/jazz/vocals to compare. This way I could A/B with the same pre-amp/music ect. I had to adjust the volume on the APL cause it has a remote volume control, and Alex recommends using without a pre-amp.
Anyway, here we go, for more than a week, I drove mayself mad, crazy, nutz. I would put the same cd in each playedr, use the remote, try to get back to my exact spot, and try to hear any difference. I fugured redbook would be easy, cause in the past I could find not match for the Exemplar. I was wrong. They sounded so, the same I was in total dis belif, how could this be. I changed power cords, interconnects, went from sacd to redbook, and they both sounded wonderful, exactlu like each other. Frustrated, I went back to the ineternet, It was then I saw the DV-50 thread and AVGURU boasting about his 1 box solution being the best. Inside I was laughing, cause I had been down this road before. IMHO either of my 1 box solutions would destroy the DV-50, and so I stated that opinion. I received a bunch of flak, from a lot of highly regaurded audiogoner's, so I decided to take matters into my own hands. I was still confused about which I like better in my 3910's but, I knew I would convert AVGURU, in a heartbeat. I drove 60 miles to his house, brought my Exemplar, and APL out. The Exemplar was fully burnt in, the APL about 150 hours. We listened to the DV-50 for about 3 minutes, after 30-60 seconds, I commented that the sound waqs veiled, 1 dimensional. AVGURU looked at me in surprise, I told him to hook up the Exemplar, did not matter thye interconnects or PC used. The Exemplar would blow him away. Within a few seconds of hooking up the Exemplar, AVGURU was starting to smile, tap his toes, ect.
AVGURU learned a lesson, we did not bring the DV-50 into the system again, there was no comparison. I had known this up front. I had an ulterior motive. I needed to find out what I liked best.
We set both APL and Exemplar into the system, same way I did at my house, with the same disc's in each. The difference was we has a remote for source changing, and I stayed stable in my seat. They both sounded wonderful, detailed, huge soundstage, dynamic, ect. There was one contant, the APL added a dimension. Where the DV-50 was 1 dimensional, the Exemplar was 2 Dimensional, and the APL was 3 dimensional, and the most analog of the 3 players. The end of the 3 hour session AVGURU wanted to see how cheap, new redbook sounded, as opposed to my MFSL's/DCC's/SACDS, in it went into the exemplar, and we had to turn it off, we heard brightness not heard on the other discs, one more disc into the exemplar, same thing. AVGURU says aha, see, only on great disc's, not regular redbook. AV put the same disk into the APL, OMFG, music, wonderful, analog sounding music. Thats what happened.
Funny thing is, before I left I made AV put the DV-50 back in the system, he had fallen in love with my MFSL Mars Hotel by the Dead, when I put it in, he accused me of switching cd's until I played the 3rd track he had loved, than said, WOW those players are incredible.
I got home, put the APL in the system directly into my mono's and OMFG, I was happy, smiling, tapping my toes, shaking my head, even dancing some. This is MUSIC.
84audio, I recommend you come on by for a listen, but, when you like it better, remember, if you are already reahing for the Exemplar, you may not be able to afford it. It is a bit more Expensive than the Exemplar. Is it worth it? You will have to make your own decision like I did. I think it is.
I have found that it costs the most money, when your looking for that last 5-10 percent upgrade. To me, it is worth a lot more than what I paid,
The APL Is the best digital I have ever heard in my system so far.
And I do not need a pre-amp. This is the first unit with remote volume control, that sounds better without a pre-amp. This includes the shanling T200C, Audio Aero Capitole II, which both advertise world class volume controls. go figure.
I recommend you try to listen and experience all these units, and more. Decide for yourself. I am.
I own and love the APL.
Now I want a different flavor for HT/Multi channel........hhmmm the search is on......
I have never said anything bad about the Exemplar, I loved it so much, I bought the 2900, 3910, exception II, am waiting for a Exception II with siltech, and volume control. It is truely a world class machine. John is a GREAT guy, and a genious. He builds wonderful electronics and speakers. I have also never said it is a harsh or bright player. I also will tell you that you will be thrilled with the 3910, IMHO it is quite an improvement over the 2900. Better detail, extension, soundstage, also has much improved SACD performance along with the HDCD(which I love), DVD-A, AND GREAT video. So, There....
I highly recommend the Exemplar...it is truely a wonderful Machine.
84audio, I am looking for the BEST 2-channel machine which is not dependent on price. I have not only bought, paid for, broken in, listened to these machines, but, others too. Many much more expensive. That being said, all the while I had the Exemplar in my system, and in between all the others, I also owned the APL SACD 1000, which I am listening tp right now, as a matter of fact. SACD is better on the SACD 1000 than on the Exemplar 3910, it is as extended, a bit more dynamic, and just more analogue sounding to me. I have never said the Exemplar was better in SACD, that is the reason I owned both. In my research I found that the NEW Burr Brown Dacs on the 3910, were newer, better than the 2900. I ordered the 3910, In fact I believe I received the first 3910 John modded. I loved it, and continue to do so. At the same time I ordered the 3910 from John, I ordered one from Alex too. I have stated if you read my comments, that the Exemplar was superior in redbook, and the APL in SACD. I would like a 1 box solution to all formats for 2 channel. I was comparing apples and oranges, Phillips vs Denon. I decided the only way I would really know would be to have both my favorite guys, mod the same machines, with their individual flavors.
John keeps the Burr brown Dacs, adds power supply, rewires adds new capacitors, cardas binding posts, clock, transformer, tube stage, siltech wiring and more. The results are a wonderfully extended dynamic player, which is very highly revealing. It really reminds me a lot of the Meitner I listened to at a salon. I tried to buy the meitner with an in home trial, but was told they are on back order only. At about 14K, I was not willing to go that route. Bottom line is it is the most extended digital I have ever heard, but, I was analyzing the music, as much as litening to the music. This is the issue I had with the Exemplar. It is so damned detailed, and wonderful, it is very hard to find fault. But, at the end of my comparisons, I am more satisfied with the APL, in my system, with my ears.
Alex takes a different approach in his mods, he feels that Crytal makes better, more musical dacs, than burr brown. He really tears the machine apart, and uses basically the transport, case, and video of the Denon. He integrates his mods differently, uses the 6H30 instead of the E1800CC, uses different platinum/teflon jacks. different transformers, powersupplies, caps, dacs, silver wiring, ect. The result is a machine that was so different from what I was use too from APL with my SACD 1000, I was astonished. Now with the 3910, upon receiving both, and using the Exception II as pre-amp. I bought 16 sets of redbook/sacd rock/jazz/vocals to compare. This way I could A/B with the same pre-amp/music ect. I had to adjust the volume on the APL cause it has a remote volume control, and Alex recommends using without a pre-amp.
Anyway, here we go, for more than a week, I drove mayself mad, crazy, nutz. I would put the same cd in each playedr, use the remote, try to get back to my exact spot, and try to hear any difference. I fugured redbook would be easy, cause in the past I could find not match for the Exemplar. I was wrong. They sounded so, the same I was in total dis belif, how could this be. I changed power cords, interconnects, went from sacd to redbook, and they both sounded wonderful, exactlu like each other. Frustrated, I went back to the ineternet, It was then I saw the DV-50 thread and AVGURU boasting about his 1 box solution being the best. Inside I was laughing, cause I had been down this road before. IMHO either of my 1 box solutions would destroy the DV-50, and so I stated that opinion. I received a bunch of flak, from a lot of highly regaurded audiogoner's, so I decided to take matters into my own hands. I was still confused about which I like better in my 3910's but, I knew I would convert AVGURU, in a heartbeat. I drove 60 miles to his house, brought my Exemplar, and APL out. The Exemplar was fully burnt in, the APL about 150 hours. We listened to the DV-50 for about 3 minutes, after 30-60 seconds, I commented that the sound waqs veiled, 1 dimensional. AVGURU looked at me in surprise, I told him to hook up the Exemplar, did not matter thye interconnects or PC used. The Exemplar would blow him away. Within a few seconds of hooking up the Exemplar, AVGURU was starting to smile, tap his toes, ect.
AVGURU learned a lesson, we did not bring the DV-50 into the system again, there was no comparison. I had known this up front. I had an ulterior motive. I needed to find out what I liked best.
We set both APL and Exemplar into the system, same way I did at my house, with the same disc's in each. The difference was we has a remote for source changing, and I stayed stable in my seat. They both sounded wonderful, detailed, huge soundstage, dynamic, ect. There was one contant, the APL added a dimension. Where the DV-50 was 1 dimensional, the Exemplar was 2 Dimensional, and the APL was 3 dimensional, and the most analog of the 3 players. The end of the 3 hour session AVGURU wanted to see how cheap, new redbook sounded, as opposed to my MFSL's/DCC's/SACDS, in it went into the exemplar, and we had to turn it off, we heard brightness not heard on the other discs, one more disc into the exemplar, same thing. AVGURU says aha, see, only on great disc's, not regular redbook. AV put the same disk into the APL, OMFG, music, wonderful, analog sounding music. Thats what happened.
Funny thing is, before I left I made AV put the DV-50 back in the system, he had fallen in love with my MFSL Mars Hotel by the Dead, when I put it in, he accused me of switching cd's until I played the 3rd track he had loved, than said, WOW those players are incredible.
I got home, put the APL in the system directly into my mono's and OMFG, I was happy, smiling, tapping my toes, shaking my head, even dancing some. This is MUSIC.
84audio, I recommend you come on by for a listen, but, when you like it better, remember, if you are already reahing for the Exemplar, you may not be able to afford it. It is a bit more Expensive than the Exemplar. Is it worth it? You will have to make your own decision like I did. I think it is.
I have found that it costs the most money, when your looking for that last 5-10 percent upgrade. To me, it is worth a lot more than what I paid,
The APL Is the best digital I have ever heard in my system so far.
And I do not need a pre-amp. This is the first unit with remote volume control, that sounds better without a pre-amp. This includes the shanling T200C, Audio Aero Capitole II, which both advertise world class volume controls. go figure.
I recommend you try to listen and experience all these units, and more. Decide for yourself. I am.
I own and love the APL.
Now I want a different flavor for HT/Multi channel........hhmmm the search is on......