Avondale Sound?

Can anyone describe the general sound qualities that an Avondale upgrade would bring to my dusty Alpha 6? Do any of you guys own one or maybe have heard one? Any comments would be much appreciated, before I take the plunge.

 

Best ask on PFM sir. you'll find a whole host of Les W's useres on there

 

Forgive my ignorance but PFM????

 

Pink fish forum, where the breaded fishersmans type that drink hook norton ale and sling an lp12 under there arm reside (nice bunch really) see here Pink Fish

 

Thank you sir, you are a gent!

 

I believe that Avondale only do the Alpha 5 and Alpha 5+.

Avondale Arcam Mods

Dex

 

I'm certain that the A6 is so similar to the A5 the same tweaks can can be applied to it.

If not a quick look at my piece in the Articles section will give some ideas as to what you can do.

 

Zanash,

Dexter is right, Les only works with the 5 and 5+.

JTB

 

Pastiesboy - here's an indepentant review of the AAA5. I've owned both this and the Naim CD3 which he modifies. Both for the money are pretty much untouchable, and have a similar 'family' sound. I think the reviewer in the link pretty much hits the nail on the head.
http://www.tnt-audio.com/sorgenti/aaaa5_e.html

JTB

 

I have an Avondaled Arcam Alpha 5+ which has been modded by Les for sale at the moment you're welcome to have a listen.

Nick

 

If you want an mod appraisal of the A6 ..... email me

just had a quick look at the scematics ....it has a different dac and opamp topology to the A5..but still highly modable.

 

les is one of the good guys, I had an aaa5, and it did prat, personally, I think I would prefer the naim, the arcam was still a tad smoothed, but certainly les' mods helped it no end.

he also did service way and above the call of duty.

 

I can vouch for Les too! met him a number of times.....he keeps trying to sell me things !


That said if its only A5 he works on .......

 

My player is an Alpha 5 thats been upgraded to an Alpha 6 so I wasn't sure weather it was still possible myself. I've emailed Avondale but am yet to get a reply. Nick how much are you after for your AAAAAAAAAAAAAAA5????!!!! Zanash what kind of mods are we talking here? Do you carry the mods out yourself, or you offering advice on self modding? I'm pretty sure that me and a soldering iron would only result in 1 thing............real man tears. Thanks guys all this helps loads, Ryan.

 

Les only responds to phone calls as I remember, try phoning him!

 

Ok I will, thank you.

 

email me for details to much to say here!

 

Phone him between 2 and 4, thats the time he puts aside from sniffing solder fumes.
Very nice chap. Some of his products casework may look a little DIY but the quality of the stuff that go's inside is top rate.


Paul.

 

As an exception to the rule, here I be. The Alpha 6 has a different DAC etc to the 5 & 5+ so the AAA5 formula won't work I'm afraid. Best to let Zanash guide you, he's a cute cookie so you'll be in safe hands. Sorry about the emails, I'm literally on my own in this small outfit and as the business becomes better known, I confess to be drowning in a sea of enquiries. Being tardy at replying seems to be the only way to stem the tide. I've even had to resort to the answerphone at times.

My sincere apologies if you've been ignored.

 

Kind of you to say so.....but would consider myself more as a museli bar.

As les say it a very different kettle of worm.... The Dac is based arround pcf 2705,sm5840,sm5884 chipsets. Not the much loved tda 1541 etc.