tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-61983045724946610912024-02-19T03:09:12.528-08:00Astin Trew news blogAstin Trewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11832316499665912551noreply@blogger.comBlogger17125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6198304572494661091.post-56106687626171879172014-05-30T10:06:00.002-07:002014-05-30T10:12:55.574-07:00The AT8000 MM/MC Phono amplifier is still alive - and now kicking ass!<p>We received a nice email this week from a happy person, who said:</p>
<p>Hello Astin Trew,</p>
<p>Just wanted to say what a lovely phono amp this [AT8000] is, by far the best I've ever had (and that includes the Naim Superline at £2,000 without power supply) it's enabled me to play and enjoy less than perfect albums, with its warm but detailed sound. Have you stopped making this? I got mine second hand.</p>
<p>best regards, D.R.</p>
<p>Well, D.R. is half right with his question regarding availability of the original AT8000, we have indeed stopped making it to the same specification he has bought second hand; that's because we are making it better! The AT8000 has undergone a spring clean, and the main improvements in performance are due to the use of upgraded audiophile components along with several other performance enhancing modifications. We think its price/performance ratio is pretty unbeatable for musicality, and if marketed in a bigger box, one would be comparing it with phono-stages up to two or three times its price. Instead, we have kept the original compact slim box form to save you space - and your hard earned cash.</p>
<p>If you want to hear a phono-stage that will keep a smile on your face for hours on end, do go and take a listen to the AT8000 at one of our Dealers, or perhaps ask for a 14 day at home trial from the likes of www.soundfidelity.co.uk.</p>
Astin Trewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11832316499665912551noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6198304572494661091.post-53428472481336423642011-01-30T07:27:00.000-08:002011-01-30T07:38:56.363-08:00Steve reviews his AT8000 phono amp.We don't get 'reviews' sent in from Astin Trew customers - well that's to say we didn't till Steve sent in this one! <br /><br />' My search for the best performing phono stage for under £1000 has resulted in me trying units from Musical Fidelity, Tom Evans and Highphonic. Disappointingly none of them gave me the presentation I was looking for particularly in the bass. <br /><br />I was attracted to the HiFi World 5 star review which described the Astin Trew AT8000 as one of the best phono stages under £1000 with nothing to criticise at the price. It also has symmetrical balanced outputs which is unusual at this price level.<br />The standard of finish is very high and much better than some of the others I tried. Yes the transformer is inside the same case. This does offer the benefit of when the electronics ask for more power its immediately on tap. Therefore there is no further transformer box to accommodate. The delicate electronic stages are inside a Faraday cage to help protect the delicate analogue signal. The analogue output signal is very quiet so you won’t experience the noise of some valve stages. <br /><br />How does it sound? In one word, ‘musical’. I am listening to it now as I write this. Pace and rhythm are spot on to give you that boogie factor. The soundstage is very wide with what I would describe as walk in sound staging. There is also low listening fatigue so you can listen for hours and suffer from that just one more record syndrome. The range of output and loading options is great to the best from your analogue front end. I settled on medium gain and 100 Ohm loading for my Lyra Delos. <br /><br />Astin Trew did suggest I try the balanced outputs because they do sound different. I do prefer the balanced output which gives a more powerful presentation with better bass performance. This stage also responds well to better cabling and I settled on a home made solid core silver mains cable and Nordost Tyr XLR as my interconnect.<br />I would summarise the AT8000 as a product that doesn’t attract attention to itself. It does things in a manner that doesn’t attract attention to itself so you can get on with enjoying the music. If you want to improve on its performance you can, but it’s going to cost you a lot more money.' Steve Paines UK<br /><br />Thank you Steve, for taking the considerable time and trouble to write that - we are so impressed, its going into the 'Reviews' section of our web site as well - together with the photographs Steve has taken of the AT8000 in action! (email available if anyone wishes to validate authenticity).Astin Trewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11832316499665912551noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6198304572494661091.post-45045480115792088822011-01-23T09:58:00.000-08:002011-01-23T10:17:06.854-08:00January and the Hi-Fi shows start in a month!Christmas and New Year have come and gone, 2011 beckons with green economic shoots and here at Astin Trew we are busy designing new and exciting products for you - the first of which (new range called '<span style="font-weight:bold;">concord</span>') will be on show at the Bristol Show in February this year. <br /><br />As Manufacturers, we do not get a lot of customer praise or feedback, its so nice when we do, to know that our products are bringing joy and musical satisfaction into peoples lives. We recently got this unsolicited email: <br /><br />Dear Sir, <br />You may remember me contacting you about the AT3500 CD player last Friday 14 January 2011. I have enclosed below a brief appraisal of how I came to buy the CD player and my impressions. Please feel free to use all or part of it as you see fit.<br /><br />I have had the Hi Fi bug in a small way for over 25 years. Nothing special, simply due to funds being tight, but I had over the years, built up what I considered to be a pretty good bargain system - Cambridge 840A amp Cambridge 740C CD player, PMC GB1 speakers, and an InspireTurntable. All connected with Chord Company interconnects. <br /><br />I thought it might be time to start another upgrade and started to look at what was available. I came across the name Astin Trew and remembered seeing it some time ago. I liked the sound of the name so I did a bit of investigating and found out that they seem to have something of a penchant for marrying valves and solid state together. Anyway, I looked at the reviews and in the end plumped for the AT3500 CD player. No audition you might say? Well, I’ve spent many an hour in the past auditioning kit in the shop only to get it home to find it doesn’t sound the same, but no worries. I found I had the option of returning it if I didn’t like it. What could be better? What had I to lose? So, it duly arrived and I hooked it up, loaded up a CD and sat down. <br /><br />It blew my socks off. I thought I had a somewhat decent sound before, but this was something else. Open and detailed, yet also powerful or subtle when the music demanded, but it also had soul. I was hearing things I had never heard before, in a way I had never heard before. I’ll agree that the sound is a little forward, that suits me fine, but it was never tiring. From classical to big band and jazz, to pop and rock, it was the same. I think one reviewer decribed the sound as musical. I think that’s the best description I can give as well. I’ll add "involving" to that though, as I virtually listened to my CD collection non-stop for 2 days. In fact it’s like having a new CD library. <br /><br />Now, the upsampling facility. Does it make a difference? Yes it does, but with varying results. Some tracks on a CD sound better with it on, others better with it off. One thing is for certain. It’s nice to have the option. Did I make the right purchase? Yes I did. It’s head and shoulders above the Cambridge 740C so I think it was money well spent. My next task is to replace the Cambridge 840A amplifier but that will have to wait a while.<br /> <br />Yours Faithfully, Mark Jurkiewicz<br /><br />Well thank you Mark, another satisfied customer. And he can factory upgrade his AT3500 to the PLUS version if he wants to, at some future date!<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">SHOW TIME</span><br /> Yes, our first venture as an exhibitor, to the Great Bristol Show; and we'll be showing two systems, together with ClairAudient loudspeakers from Audience, Acoustic Signature Turntables and Vovox signal and power cables. We are going for 'best sound in show', why not visit our room (312) and see whay you think - PRIZE DRAW - yes, we are giving away a £500.00p voucher to one lucky winner, to spend on any of the brands represented in our room! Now that must surely be the best reason to visit out room. See you there!Astin Trewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11832316499665912551noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6198304572494661091.post-56030880871345697172010-02-04T01:05:00.000-08:002010-02-04T01:19:14.484-08:00Winter weather and the AT8000Belated Happy New Year to all our Astin Trew blog readers. With all the snow and foul weather in January, we hunkered down and just got through it! Apologies to anyone who did not receive their Astin Trew product during the 'snow time', the likes of UPS could not collect or deliver to our premises for a 10 day period during the worst of the weather.<br /><br />One knock on effect has been the delay of the launch of our new AT8000 mm/mc phono amplifier. This is now nearing completion, with numerous small improvements made since the first prototypes were shown in October last year. It is now a more musical phono stage, and competes at its £880 UK recommended retail price with competition selling up to £2,500. We are very pleased with its performance, particularly through the XLR balanced outputs, where we have lost the 'clinical' sound, so many balanced outputs have. The AT8000 should be with our dealers in March. Look out for reviews in the magazines, if this 'floats your boat' - better still, borrow a sample from your dealer on sale or return and try it in your system!Astin Trewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11832316499665912551noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6198304572494661091.post-7748445185104087732009-10-30T10:42:00.000-07:002009-10-30T11:06:39.630-07:00It is show time and what a time we had.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK7QHb6yGhOGfPVinDpwfEtsQsz0VpnoX-lh4Ng1Vqcq1beOiqOYWMHZdGzjziwZsZRVXjFQNFTCD3M74pNwFK5oRicJ7Nf6mxrG_R5MEAFRJOuXQopmzJxJWl2qj_Dh16I6s3WGA__XaO/s1600-h/scan0011.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 247px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK7QHb6yGhOGfPVinDpwfEtsQsz0VpnoX-lh4Ng1Vqcq1beOiqOYWMHZdGzjziwZsZRVXjFQNFTCD3M74pNwFK5oRicJ7Nf6mxrG_R5MEAFRJOuXQopmzJxJWl2qj_Dh16I6s3WGA__XaO/s400/scan0011.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5398450309915855186" /></a><br /><br />All around Europe, our Distributors are showing off, demonstrating the Astin Trew products. As you can see from the above, David Price of Hi-Fi World magazine thought our room at the UK show 'rather fine' and I was almost embarrassed at the number of people returning for a second or third listen, who said our room was one of the best sounding at the show, regardless of system cost. Yes, I used good loudspeakers, from both Dutch Speaker Systems (DSS) and Revolver, and excellent cables from Vovox (Swiss made), but no room treatments, so I would say the natural flowing Astin Trew sound took center stage.<br /><br />Two weeks later I was at the VAD Hi-Fi show in Eindhoven, Holland, this time supporting my Distributor Music2, who was demonstrating the Astin Trew products alongside some very high end products, including turntables. It it is so gratifying to hear that the AT3500plus CD player sounding so similar to analogue LP in its flow and inner detail, but with a more solid base. Of course I know this from all our work on the development of this player, but hearing the results in a different country, in front of an appreciative Dutch audience, was worth every penny of the flight cost and 'working weekend'!! Thanks Marco and your team at Music2 for the invite and hospitality. <br /><br />Other shows I have not been able to get to this month have been in Switzerland, Poland and Greece. Maybe next year?<br /><br />HOT NEWS. We are launching the AT8000 phono stage amplifier in November, to match the AT1000 pre-amplifier and AT2000 integrated amplifier. Watch this space and our web site for updates.Astin Trewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11832316499665912551noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6198304572494661091.post-83026508149391696682009-07-27T04:34:00.000-07:002009-07-27T04:46:53.132-07:00We were hit by the 'dreaded' swine flu in the Astin Trew office over the last few weeks. Back to full strength now I am glad to say - with back-orders fulfilled and on-going developments back in full swing.<br /><br />We have asked our dealers if they would like to report on any interesting Astin Trew related stories that might be of wider interest, and I thank Ralph at Artisan Audio for kicking this occasional series off for us: <br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">"As an analogue specialist, I’m not sure how qualified I am to blog about the new AT3500 plus in comparison to the AT3500. My start position is that all CD players are at a disadvantage relative to vinyl replay. My focus when choosing CD players has always been to identify where the law of diminishing returns kicks in, and to my ears that has, in recent years, been the AT3500.<br /><br />For fun, a few months back I ran the digital output from an AT3000 into a Benchmark DAC-1. This is a product that John Atkinson raved about in Stereophile and is still used by that title as a reference. Comparing the output from the AT3000 with the output from the Benchmark I was unable to discern any significant difference between the two. That’s how good the entry level Astin Trew machine’s DAC is.<br /><br />Fascinated to explore what benefits the plus offers, I set up both machines on my rack, using identical interconnects (Discovery Essence) and mains cables. Amplification was the high resolution Quicksilver Full Preamp and Triode power amps through the revealing Klipsch Jubilee speakers.<br /><br />I have two copies of a number of CD titles, so was able to set identical albums running in synch and switch between the two machines at will. An element of blind testing was introduced by having an assistant switch between the two sources. I also enlisted three passing visitors to participate in the trial.<br /><br />First music choice was GRP’s Sounds of ’93. Initial impressions, on mostly instrumental cuts, were that the two machines sounded very close tonally. Over several tracks, listeners consistently preferred the plus, describing the replay as “sounding bigger.”<br /><br />Next, Ian Shaw’s “Famous Rainy Day” CD – beautifully recorded to analogue tape using valve microphones with very spacious, acoustic guitar arrangements and subtle percussion. Again the perception was that the two machines had similar tonal presentation. The bass sounded “tighter” on the plus, there was slightly more sparkle on the cymbals and a sense that each part was more easily followed.<br /><br />Finally, playing System X’s “Beat the System,” there was an appreciation that the leading edges of notes – particularly slap bass, drums and latin percussion, had a faster rise time and greater dynamic impact via the plus.<br /><br />In a subsequent customer evaluation, the reaction was similar. Initial impressions were that the two machines sounded similar, however after ten minutes of relaxed listening there was a consistent preference for the plus. Probably due to its better handling of the high frequencies that provide subtle nuances and cues about location of instruments which the brain processes sub-consciously. Somehow it just feels more natural.<br /><br />In our previous A/B comparisons, the standard AT3500 trounced a heavily-promoted CD player of European origin and in a recent home demonstration we did, matched a very pricey high-end Japanese transport and DAC, whilst delivering more tuneful bass. <br /><br />The plus goes one step further and now carries our highest recommendation. We believe that the plus will hold its own in A/B comparisons against all but the most expensive players."<br /><br />Ralph Bagge<br />Artisan Audio<br />http://www.artisanaudio.co.uk<br /><br /> </span><br /><br />More next month, happy listening <br /><br />Michael Osborn.Astin Trewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11832316499665912551noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6198304572494661091.post-72517253112345175672009-04-28T01:48:00.000-07:002009-04-28T02:13:49.621-07:00More feedback on tube rolling and 'plus' upgrades.<span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Firstly, here is an email from one of our customers who has been busy 'tube rolling', that might be of interest to Astin Trew CD player owners.....
<br />
<br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 255);">Hi. I had a conversation with a member of your staff earlier this week about buying a black AT1000 to match my AT3500 CD player. </span>
<br />
<br /></span><span style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(51, 102, 255);">During the conversation we got into the subject of 'tube rolling" in the AT3500. I mentioned I think that a friend was going to lend me a NOS Mullard gold pin E88CC to try in the AT, which had a factory fitted Philips JAN tube when it was supplied. I may be wrong, but I think I agreed to let you know how it worked out. </span>
<br />
<br /><span style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(51, 102, 255);">In short, I'm quite impressed with the Mullard. It is I think different to the 6922 - less 'glassy' on some not so well mastered CD's, quite 'bassy' - its as if I had a subwoofer - which I don't. That is not to say that the bass is all loose and uncontrolled. It isn't. It is also interesting that the sound produced using the upsampling button is very different with the Mullard. with the Philips tube the upsampled sound was quite 'ethereal'. I didn't like it at all, and never used it. With the Mullard, using upsampling changes the sound stage, but it doesn't lose body. </span>
<br />
<br /><span style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(51, 102, 255);">I'm running the AT into a Quad 24 Pre, Quad II/40 power amps and a pair of Martin Logan speakers. </span>
<br />
<br /><span style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(51, 102, 255);">Anyway, I'd recommend that if people want to try different tubes in the AT that they put a Mullard on their list. They may or may not like the sound, but at least they will get their money back if they decide to sell the thing on, as they are pretty hard to get hold of. </span>
<br />
<br /><span style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(51, 102, 255);">One final thing. The Mullard I'm listening to tested out at the lower end of the normal range for anode current, so it is probably past its best. I would like to hear a good one. </span>
<br />
<br /><span style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(51, 102, 255);">Anyway. Back to more listening. I'm glad I bought the AT. I had (well I still have) a Linn Ikemi, and TBH I much prefer the AT. </span>
<br />
<br /><span style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(51, 102, 255);">Cheers, Iain Lockerbie </span>
<br /><span style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(51, 102, 255);">PS you did say that there were some upgrades in the pipeline for the AT3500. Please let me know when they will be available.
<br />
<br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">We can now confirm that yes, there is a new <span style="font-weight: bold;">AT3500<span style="font-style: italic;">plus</span> </span>product available, and it will be reviewed in the May issue of Hi-Fi World magazine; and here is some background and a description of the two new updates for the AT2000 amplifier and AT3500 CD player, now available:
<br />
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mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0cm; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language:#0400; mso-fareast-language:#0400; mso-bidi-language:#0400;} </style> <![endif]--> <p class="MsoNormal"><b style=""><span style="font-family: Eurostile;">Introduction.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b style=""><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Eurostile;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Eurostile;">Both the AT2000 and AT3500 represent good value designs in their standard forms, offering a high level of musical satisfaction.<span style=""> </span>Since the AT3500 CD player was launched, we have known and have been suggesting that there are NOS (new old stock) valves available, such as the Philips JAN 6922 that offer a significant improvement to the ‘standard’ Electro-Harmonix valve supplied.<span style=""> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Eurostile;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Eurostile;">During the last year, we have also been experimenting with a considerable number of other component upgrades, as part of our continuing development programme for future product.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Eurostile;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Eurostile;">It became clear to us that some of the more obvious ‘improvements’, whilst perhaps offering some small additional insight into the music, were not very good value for money – and these included exchanging power supply capacitors with acknowledged ‘better’ audio types and changing the filter I.C.’s on the DAC with higher cost audiophile components.<span style=""> </span>Put together, they do offer an improvement, but double the price of the machine.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Eurostile;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Eurostile;">It was the ‘smaller’ changes we made that really offered a considerable difference, and at a reasonable cost.<span style=""> </span>We therefore decided that whilst we were not going to become rich offering these ‘good value’ upgrades, they offer such a good value relative to the standard product price, that this would be a popular option for many customers.<span style=""> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Eurostile;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Eurostile;">These we call the <i style="">plus</i> versions, and they come with a certificate showing that they are an Astin Trew authorized upgrade.<span style=""> </span>The <i style="">plus</i> modifications are offered on new machines or as an upgrade path for both the AT2000 and AT3500 after purchase.<span style=""> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Eurostile;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b style=""><span style="font-family: Eurostile;">AT2000<i style="">plus</i> <o:p></o:p></span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Eurostile;">We replace a number of the critical capacitors in the signal path with Auri-Cap polypropylene types, as already used in the standard AT3500.<span style=""> </span>All line level signal cable is replaced (and hard wired) between input and PCB’s with super pure single crystal cable.<span style=""> </span>Valve dampers are fitted.<span style=""> </span><span style=""> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Eurostile;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b style=""><span style="font-family: Eurostile;">AT3500<i style="">plus</i><o:p></o:p></span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Eurostile;">All line level signal cable is replaced (and hard wired) between input and PCB’s with super pure single crystal cable.<span style=""> </span>Eleven critical I.C.’s on the DAC board are damped with custom heat sinks, bonded into place with thermally conductive adhesive.<span style=""> </span>Philips JAN 6922 valve is fitted. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Eurostile;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b style=""><span style="font-family: Eurostile;">Conclusion. <span style=""> </span><o:p></o:p></span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b style=""><span style="font-family: Eurostile;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Eurostile;">Both products sound significantly improved in many, if not all areas of musical reproduction.<span style=""> </span>These are some of the comments we have had fed back to us from dealers and reviewers:<span style=""> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Eurostile;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Eurostile;">* there is a deeper ‘blackness’ to the background</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Eurostile;">* bass is tighter and goes much lower</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Eurostile;">* instruments are much better placed within the sound stage</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Eurostile;">* there is more 'in-focus' detail</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Eurostile;">* there is better ‘timing’ of the music</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Eurostile;">* the overall musicality of the products is not changed.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Eurostile;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 8pt; font-family: Eurostile;">Michael Osborn,, Dir.<span style=""> </span>April 2009<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<br />Both <span style="font-style: italic;">plus</span> modifications add just over a couple of hundred pounds to the product price, but do offer a substantial improvement and make a super upgrade to the standard products, if you want the very best musical enjoyment from these two products.
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<br /></span></span> Astin Trewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11832316499665912551noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6198304572494661091.post-16266497902431643872009-03-16T09:54:00.000-07:002009-03-16T10:56:20.665-07:00AT2000 plus point (or the point of AT2000plus).As always, we have been busy looking to find ways of offering you the most musical sounding products, and have just launched the AT2000<span style="font-style: italic;">plus</span> that takes the already well reviewed (and newly launched) AT2000 amplifier to the next level. Talking UK retail prices, the AT2000<span style="font-style: italic;">plus</span> is £225.00p more, costing £1,575.00p RRP. I have been asked why bother with such a 'small' relative additional increase for a second integrated amplifier in the range, when the incremental quality improvement is not at all small? <br /><br />Well, this comes down to our business philosophy, that in part sets out to offer our customers excellent value for money. Yes, we could have stuck another £399.00p on the price of the AT2000 and still offered a good value upgrade, but we would rather you kept the difference, or better still, spend it on a signal or speaker cable upgrade, and made the AT2000<span style="font-style: italic;">plus</span> sound even better in your system! We will upgrade as an after-sale by the way, discuss with your dealer.<br /><br />Regarding the AT2000, we have just had some interesting news from our Netherlands distributor Music2. They pointed me toward a web review: <span style="font-weight: bold;"> <br />http://www.hifi.nl/recensies/3757/Astin_Trew_AT2000.html</span><br />and kindly translated some of the text.<br /><br />''The AT2000 has become one of my favorites, if I had to recommend an amplifier in the 2000 euro range, this is the one.''<br /><br />''Astin Trew is becoming a very strong player at the market, very hard to beat''<br /><br />''A very strong competition for the well known Naim's, Prima Luna's and Primare's. It reminds me the most of a good old Sugden design''<br /><br />This way I could go on and on, 4 complete pages filled with comments like this. "<br /><br /><br />I am assured no money changed hands! It is always nice to receive favorable reviews like this, but you must always listen yourself of course. I wonder what this reviewer is going to make of the AT2000<span style="font-style: italic;">plus</span>?!!<br /><br />Our Music2 distributor has been busy undertaking several Hi-Fi exhibitions lately, as well as demonstrating our products to dealers throughout the Benelux countries. They recently made the following observations, which are useful - and perhaps telling: <br /><br />'We have also started (distributing) with the turntables of Acoustic-Signature, very well build and sounding, they really go well with the Astin Trew electronics. The AT 3500 [Astin Trew CD player] already received the name ''the one digital thing closest to analogue'' because of these combinations. Together with the DSS loudspeakers we try to bring out the message that Astin Trew goes very well with absolute high-End equipment. We believe that these combinations do the trick. The combination AT3500, AT1000 and 2 x AT5000's sounded already better than a Naim combination with Living Voice loudspeakers and a Linn LP12 (which totally was 3 times the price by the way), a complete Sugden setup ( twice the price), and Sonneteer (also twice the price).'<br /><br />And finally (having sung our praises far too much I think) I can now let our US and Canada supporters (we already have a database of potential US customers) know that we have appointed Stephen Monte at <span style="font-weight: bold;">Quest For Sound</span>, 2307-R Bristol Pike, Bensalem , Pa.19020 215-953-9099 as our distributor. Contact him directly and he will put you in touch with his nearest dealer to you, for a demonstration.<br /><br />Also, we would like to welcome Mark and Gary Cargill as new UK dealers for Astin Trew, our first Scottish dealership - Audio Emotion. www.audioemotion.co.uk. based just outside Edinburgh. They opened for business at the beginning of March and have a terrific demo. facility as well as a home demonstration service. All the best Mark and Gary.<br /><br />Happy listening, Michael Osborn.Astin Trewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11832316499665912551noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6198304572494661091.post-66213276523312501222009-02-01T07:59:00.000-08:002009-02-01T08:39:58.979-08:00Distribution to include US and Canada very soon.For those of you in the US and Canada who have been asking where to buy or hear the Astin Trew products, we hope soon to be able to direct you to a dealer nearby, as (we hope) a distribution deal is now imminent! I guess distributors in the US and Canada are pretty wary of taking on new brands, particularly in the current economic climate - it has taken us two years searching. <br /><br />However, it seems the exceptional reviews of the new AT2000 amplifier (Hi-Fi Choice, has the first review in the UK, giving it a 5 star rating and best buy award in their latent magazine); and inclusion in the Hi-Fi News special 'ultimate Hi-Fi in 2008' for the AT3500 CD player, have made their mark.<br /><br />It is so gratifying to receive positive reviews and endorsements from Magazines, Distributors, Dealers, and of course our customers. Here are a couple of extracts you may like to share with us:<br /><br />'The AT2000 is a remarkably transparent amp in all important respects – it produces attractively open results and reflects the quality and nature of the incoming signal with a very natural and fluent precision....There's no sense here of the sound being mechanical or etched; rather, instruments and voices are placed in the context in which they were recorded....With the AT2000, Astin Trew is offering a genuine alternative to the majority of integrated models in this price range. It's a design of such subtlety and finesse that it rivals Sugden's classic A21 amp, but without the thermal and power challenges of that model. The fact that it offers so much flexibility is the icing on a highly musical cake. (Reviewed by Jason Kennedy - Hi-Fi Choice 317)<br /><br />AudioStone Distribution (Scandinavia): Dear Michael, I’ve just been playing the AT2000 at low levels for 3 days now. Today I came home, put in a very special recording of Peter Gabriel's “don’t give up”. Damn it’s good. Even with my reference audio setup, replacing [amplifier] equipment far out of its league. Black, silence, I like it....On Monday the AT2000 leaves Sweden for magazine testing up in Norway. It’s the first time I’ve had a chance to listen to the AT2000. Congratulations Michael.<br />Best regards, Svein. <br /><br />Thank you one and all, as we say <span style="font-style:italic;">'true to the source'</span> Michael Osborn.Astin Trewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11832316499665912551noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6198304572494661091.post-12318165926059874292008-12-15T07:33:00.000-08:002008-12-15T08:51:31.558-08:00The new AT2000 integrated amp, a classic in the making?The new AT2000 amplifier seems to be a success before the first magazine review comes out. Our Distributors have been busy presenting at the Hi-Fi shows around the world (7 shows to date) and ordering stock on the back of real orders and the interest it has already generated. This is good news indeed.<br /><br />The feedback so far has been very positive from all quarters; the most encouraging news is that we seem to have achieved our goal - namely an amplifier that offers up all the detail in a truly 'musical' fashion, rather than presenting it in a clinical, 'razor sharp', or (worse still)grey and uninteresting way, like so many of our competitors seem to! <br /><br />'The AT2000 offers you amplified music that absorbs you, and can be listened to for hours' says Rolf, our Scandinavian Distributor. <br /><br />We want you to sit in front of the players, to listen to a concert from the best seat in the house, not from the front row - or worse still, on the stage with the players. <br /><br />We are also interested in your comments. Please do email us (from our web site page or sales@astintrew.co.uk) if you have listened to the AT2000 and compared to other amplifiers, we are always interested in feedback.<br /><br />Finally, do not forget the AT1000 / AT5000 combination, if you are in the market for a pre. amp. and/or power amp. They remain extraordinary good value. We were told a story recently (again) by Rolf, our Distributor in Scandinavia. He was presenting the Astin Trew products and another, much, much more expensive audio set up at the biggest Hi-Fi show in Norway this year, and to his horror, the very expensive pre-amplifier blew up! They managed to borrow an equally expensive pre-amp. from another exhibitor at the last moment (no names ... American sourced) and were very under-whelmed with the sound qualities. They decided to have a go with the Astin Trew AT1000 pre. as a last resort, and were amazed at the results, it 'sounded' so much better than the borrowed pre. amp. and not far off their (bust) hyper expensive brand pre. amp either. Very gratifying! <br /><br />Seasons greetings and a happy new year to one and all,<br /><br />Michael Osborn.Astin Trewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11832316499665912551noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6198304572494661091.post-75143403871458345442008-10-14T06:17:00.000-07:002008-10-14T06:58:24.683-07:00Isolation feet - a feat of sound enginering!Astin Trew sells isolation feet upgrades for hi-fi equipment. Not a lot of people know this. We developed the feet for our AT3500 CD player, as it required something a little special to sit upon. They have been on sale as upgrades for some time now, at £29.90p per set of four - we have not marketed them, no reviews or advertising, but they show on our price list and we get asked for them from time to time. <br /><br />We sold a set recently and I got the following email back from Jonathan in Tonbridge... 'They are superb. Over the years I have used aluminum cones (bad), and Russ Andrews wooden supports (better), but yours are a substantial improvement. Please send me two more sets, and I will use them throughout.'....which is very pleasing to hear, and we have indeed sold Jonathan another two sets. <br /><br />Nice to think that we really did get this component right.<br /><br />Which leads me to think that we should really start marketing these beauties. Made from a very particular filled (hard) rubber material, they have a threaded brass insert in the middle of them and rather than being your standard solid cone shape, they are castellated on the 'flat' surface, so they make contact with the underside of the equipment chassis at three points only; the cone point itself facing downward and siting on the table or equipment support rack.<br /><br />We thread them onto the AT3500 with an M4 thread stud, but we know that performance improves further if used without a mechanical fixing, or the application of a little BlueTack to hold them in place. Your local Astin Trew dealer may not have them in stock, but they can order them from us. If you do not live near one of our dealers, we will sell to you direct. Now to design a marketing campaign for our isolation feet!Astin Trewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11832316499665912551noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6198304572494661091.post-76581054889235169362008-09-11T05:40:00.000-07:002008-09-11T06:03:48.827-07:00Never Connected publish a 'white paper' that tells all.With the imminent launch of our new AT2000 integrated amplifier, at the London Heathrow Sound and Vision show, 19th-21st September (Syndicate room 9), it was good timing to receive a 'white paper' from Richard at Never Connected. It outlines the design and development process that has produced the amazing Mk 2 power supply for audio applications we are using in the AT2000. So, for those of you who are interested in the technical details and inner workings of the products they own, or are thinking of owning, please read on:
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<br /><meta equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8"><meta name="ProgId" content="Word.Document"><meta name="Generator" content="Microsoft Word 11"><meta name="Originator" content="Microsoft Word 11"><link rel="File-List" href="file:///C:%5CDOCUME%7E1%5Cmichael%5CLOCALS%7E1%5CTemp%5Cmsohtml1%5C01%5Cclip_filelist.xml"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:view>Normal</w:View> <w:zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:punctuationkerning/> <w:validateagainstschemas/> <w:saveifxmlinvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:ignoremixedcontent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:alwaysshowplaceholdertext>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:compatibility> <w:breakwrappedtables/> <w:snaptogridincell/> <w:wraptextwithpunct/> <w:useasianbreakrules/> <w:dontgrowautofit/> </w:Compatibility> <w:browserlevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:latentstyles deflockedstate="false" latentstylecount="156"> </w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif]--><style> <!-- /* Style Definitions */ p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal {mso-style-parent:""; margin:0cm; margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";} @page Section1 {size:595.3pt 841.9pt; margin:72.0pt 90.0pt 72.0pt 90.0pt; mso-header-margin:35.4pt; mso-footer-margin:35.4pt; mso-paper-source:0;} div.Section1 {page:Section1;} --> </style><!--[if gte mso 10]> <style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0cm; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language:#0400; mso-fareast-language:#0400; mso-bidi-language:#0400;} </style> <![endif]--> <p class="MsoNormal"><b style=""><u><span style="font-family:Arial;">WHITE PAPER<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b style=""><span style="font-family:Arial;">Never-Connected, Generation 2.<span style=""> </span><span style=""> </span></span></b><span style="font-family:Arial;">September 2008<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:Arial;"><o:p> </o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:Arial;"><span style="font-size:85%;">The Never Connected Isolating Power Supply for high quality Audio use was originally developed over 5 years ago and is now incorporated under license in equipment manufactured by Astin Trew, ECS, Mitchel and Trichord Research.
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<br />Built on this initial success with many thousands of satisfied Never-Connected users, we have now developed a totally new and improved version of Never-Connected known as version 2.
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<br />The role of the power supply in producing high quality natural sound is absolutely fundamental, rather like the foundations of a house.
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<br />The use of simple low cost linear or switch mode power supplies <span style="font-style: italic;">always</span> compromises sound quality, a fact which in our experience no amount of clever circuit design, sophisticated regulator circuits, fancy cables, or filters can correct for.
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<br />This is down to the fundamental fact that all power supplies either let through high levels of mains borne interference or worse still in the case of switch mode power supplies actually produce this noise.
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<br />Whilst filters can prove effective in removing this noise, in our experience they also tend to have an adverse effect on the source impedance of the power supply producing a sound spectrum with un-natural tonal balance.
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<br />The Patented Never-Connected supply overcomes this using a sophisticated switching system to ensure that at no time is there a direct connection between the incoming mains and the connected load thus breaking the conduction path for mains borne noise and interference.
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<br />As a specialist in the development of Power Supplies for Audio use we are able to justify spending far more time and money in the development of the power supply than most manufacturers who are often under time and cost constraints to produce complete new product designs on a regular basis, often resulting in the use of refined versions of standard power supply designs.
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<br />Building on our extensive experience in the use of Never-Connected v1 in a very wide range of applications we looked at every element and function of the existing Never-Connected design in detail.
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<br />We came to the conclusion that the design could be improved in many areas. In the first instance, we took several new design iterations and evaluated each by measurement and extensive listening tests, utilising a wide range of different equipment.
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<br />At an early stage it became clear that the design of the output regulator and switching circuits played a critical part in achieving optimum sound quality, in the case of the output regulator it was clear that the use of even the highest quality integrated circuit type regulators was a major compromise when compared to discrete circuit designs; especially when the supply was used to feed a 2 channel load where output stability and uniform source impedance are required over a wide frequency range 20hz to 40Khz (2 channels, operating at 20khz, 180 degrees out of phase).
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<br />On this basis a discrete regulator design was developed and optimised, in all listening tests we ensured that for best results all secondary regulators were removed from the equipment to give us a clear window on the sonic effects of the new regulator design.
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<br />Once circuit design was optimised the development and fine tuning of board layout was undertaken along with further optimisation of circuit design. Having got to this stage comprehensive listening tests were undertaken to firstly establish which components effected the subjective sound quality, this was then followed by further listening tests to select the best possible component.
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<br />This was a fascinating process, at every stage of this exhaustive process small but meaningful gains in sound quality were achieved.
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<br />The cumulative effect when finally compared to a high end commercial power supply and the original Never-Connected design is a significant lift in sound quality, with a clearly lower noise floor, improved dynamic resolution (macro and micro), truly natural tonal balance and excellent tonal colour, combined with unforced detail, and greatly improved sense of depth width and focus.
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<br />Further evaluation of N-C v2 was then undertaken in a wide range of equipment to establish the relative benefits of its use in various different circuit locations.
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<br />The greatest levels of improvement were achieved when N-C v2 was used to power the analogue line level stages in source components, eg pre-amplifier stages, CD players.<span style=""> </span>The input and low level drive stages in power amplifiers also show substantial gains in sound quality.
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<br />In the case of a high end digital to analogue converter using N-C v2 to feed the analogue stages, if the local regulators (x4 decoupled high performance IC type regulators) were put back in circuit, a clear and definite compromise in sound quality occurred.
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<br />When used to power digital stages the benefits of using N-C v2 were again clearly audible and definitely worthwhile.
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<br />Whilst the supply can be adapted to work with Power Amplifier output stages, the improvements here were not as great as those achieved on the line level stages with their greater susceptibility to noise and interference.</span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p>If you found this interesting, you may well now wish to go and have a listen to the AT2000 to understand what impact the N.C. power supplies can have on an already good amplifier design!
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<br />Astin Trewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11832316499665912551noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6198304572494661091.post-44221249802757025742008-08-29T08:41:00.000-07:002008-08-29T09:48:12.661-07:00We are exhibiting at the London Heathrow Hi Fi show in September, there are more details on our web site www.astintrew.co.uk for those of you who might be interested in hearing our products. We will be launching the new AT2000 integrated amplifier at the show, and with this in mind, we thought we would offer you some passages from a very interesting review in the 'Hi Fi Critic' magazine (May/June 2008), that discusses the principles and use of the 'Never Connected' power supply design; as this is used extensively in the AT2000, powering the critical low power circuits throughout the design. <br /><br />It is no coincidence that the review tests conducted by Chris Bryant for Hi Fi Critic magazine were using two AT3500 Astin Trew CD players, as this is now an upgrade available through Trichord Research Ltd. in the UK and it was therefore easy to offer Chris an A/B comparison. <br /><br />The Astin Trew working premise, when designing audio products, is to offer a listening experience that is 'true to the source', indeed this is our tag line. We work hard to design our products so they offer as real a sound as possible at each product price point. We have found that the power supplies (and indeed the condition of the mains entering the component) is one of the most important factors to design correctly, to ensure you do not loose musicality. It is quite easy to design audio electronics with faultless specifications; quite another to make it sound highly involving, entertaining and 'real' sounding. <br /><br />So, back to the article. The first third sets the scene, talking about just the points I have mentioned above, pointing out that the Never Connected design has evolved over the past three years, and is now significantly improved. Please read the review or go to the Never Connected web site if you wish to know more about the design concept. I will leave you with these comments from the AT3500 A/B comparison listening tests: <br /><br />' ...the listening tests proved interesting, and the difference between these two units was substantial, and the <span style="font-style: italic;">NC </span>supplied player was simply better everywhere. Bass sounded cleaner, apparently more powerful and better defined, with more impact, better structure, improved tune playing ability and dynamics. Midrange had better focus, more realistic tonality and dynamics, and just generally sounded more like a real sound. The treble had less grain, greater definition and extra air and sparkle. The sound stage was more solid with greater depth; focus was far tighter, and the whole illusion more realistic.'<br /><br />The AT3500 in standard form has won awards, five star reviews, and blown most the competition out of the water in comparative reviews! The Trichord NC add-on box for the AT3500 is not cheap, but it does take the AT3500 into another league and still represents good combined value.<br /><br />By directly incorporating the Never Connected power supplies into the AT2000 amplifier, we have managed to keep the manufacturing prices right down, but offer the benefits indicated above. The £1,299.00p UK retail price represents (we think) extraordinary value - and that is before you start looking at the features also offered on this amplifier. Look out for reviews in the magazines. If you are in the market for an audiophile quality amplifier at a sensible price, we would urge you to have a listen to our AT2000.Astin Trewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11832316499665912551noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6198304572494661091.post-59151721085265206032008-05-30T07:47:00.000-07:002008-05-30T09:57:15.047-07:00New AT2000 amplifier on its way.In a perfect world, we would be adding blogs every month. I see that our last entry was back in February and it is now almost June! How time has flown.<br /><br />Briefly, since the last update, we have exhibited at the <span style="font-weight: bold;">London Heathrow High Fidelity Show</span> in the <span style="font-weight: bold;">Artisan Audio</span> room, our <span style="font-weight: bold;">Dealer in the South Bucks. area</span>; were awarded a <span style="font-weight: bold;">HiFi and Records </span>(German audio magazine) <span style="font-weight: bold;">Editors Choice 2008 award</span> at the <span style="font-weight: bold;">Munich High End Show for the AT3000 CD player </span>in April; and have taken on several more distributors around the world as well as appointing a <span style="font-weight: bold;">dealer in Scotland</span> (see web site for details) and taken in stock of the <span style="font-weight: bold;">AT3500 CD player in black</span>. <br /><br />The <span style="font-weight: bold;">AT2000 integrated amplifier</span> will finally be launched this summer. Very overdue and much awaited, this amplifier will offer a number of features, such as two room audiophile sound and outputs for 2.1 (stereo + sub-bass) in an amplifier that offers our now sought after good value package and a great musical sound.<br /><br />The AT2000 has been developed out of the A1000 and AT5000 pre/power amplifier we currently sell. The development however, took a number of twists and turns , the AT2000 now utilising the power amplifier design. with changes, to squeeze some more power from the circuit, and the pre-amplifier now being a class A design, all solid state.<br /><br />The rated power output at 8 ohms will be around 75W RMS per channel. There is a good reason for this still modest output - we only use a single pair of very particular MOSFET's per channel, with very large power supplies behind it, and valve (tube) assisted at that! This combination offers great transient response and clarity, combined with a very natural sound. Unless you have a VERY large room, with less than average efficient speakers, this is we believe the best approach for true musical fidelity. If you want to listen to 'thrash' bands until your ears bleed, this will not be the amplifier for you! <br /><br />Their are two aspects to the audio electrical design that we are rather excited to be using, as they both offer quite stunning improvements over the more standard designs employed, particularly in the price range we are aiming at (£1,000 - £1500) with the AT2000. <br /><br />Firstly, we are using the Never Connected power supply design for all the low power audio supply rails. This power supply simply offers the best supply solution we have ever used, including all of our designs, and allows the pre-amplifier and other audio components to operate at their best.<br /><br />Secondly, we are offering a balanced XLR input, used when the 'audiophile' second room option is implemented. However, the amplifier when used in the main listening room (or stand alone amplifier if you do not use the multi-room option) can use this input as a normal balanced signal input. <br /><br />We have used a 'pro-audio' circuit, offering perhaps the best sounding solution available, short of using highly expensive transformers - indeed, (the legendary) Bill Whitlock of Jensen Transformers actually helped develop the circuitry, and he knows <span style="font-style: italic;">everything</span> about balanced circuit designs. Powered with the Never Connected supply, this circuit is stunning, and allows both VERY long balanced cable runs and single ended to balanced cables to be used from your source equipment, with great results.<br /><br />We hope this has whetted your appetite for hearing more about this product - and hearing the product! We will keep you informed as to availability, we will be playing it at the Heathrow, London, Sound and Vision show in September 08, but it will be with your Astin Trew dealer well before that!Astin Trewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11832316499665912551noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6198304572494661091.post-60081907120947934272008-02-14T01:14:00.000-08:002008-02-14T01:57:40.487-08:00More on the AT3500 CD player<span style="font-family: arial;">I was going to comment on the issues around power amplifier ratings and perceived loudness this month. But I am finding the high volume of interest in, and the pleasure the AT3500 CD player is giving to a growing band of happy owners, should be acknowledged. Thank you all for your feedback and support.<br /><br />Of several email correspondences we have had recently with satisfied customers, this one is from Derek in Italy:<br /><br /></span><strong><em>I am the proud owner of an AT3500 CD Player!</em></strong><br /><strong><em>It is outstanding!</em></strong><br /><strong><em>I congratulate You all for making such a great </em></strong><strong><em>music machine.</em></strong><br /><strong><em>My AT3500 is connected to a Klimo Merlino Gold pre-amp,</em></strong><br /><strong><em>two Rega Exon 3 power-amps, </em></strong><strong><em>Rega R9 Speakers</em></strong><br /><strong><em>All cables are Klimo. </em></strong><strong><em>The above combination sounds great.<br />I listen mainly </em></strong><strong><em>to Modern Jazz and R. & B.</em></strong><br /><strong><em>I have two more costlier "high end" Cd players,</em></strong><br /><strong><em>but honestly, the AT3500, although much cheaper,has nothing to envy....</em></strong><br /><strong><em>I wish You all great success. </em></strong><strong><em>Best regards from Roma -Italy</em></strong><br /><strong><em>from Derek! </em></strong><strong><em>(English name but absolutely 100% italian ! )<br /><br /><span style="font-family: arial; font-weight: normal;"></span></em></strong><span style="font-family: arial;">and then a few days later:</span><strong><em><span style="font-family: arial; font-weight: normal;"></span><br /><br /></em></strong><strong><em></em></strong> <span style="font-weight: bold;">maybe i should not tell You but.....</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">I have ordered a see-through plexiglass cover in order to see the inside of the AT3500! </span><span style="font-weight: bold;">It is so beautifully made inside,and it a pity not to be able to see the components "at work". </span><span style="font-weight: bold;">My Klimo pre-amp also has a see-through cover and does make a great scene!</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Ciao from </span><span style="font-weight: bold;">Derek<br /></span><br />We always welcome feedback from our customers, thank you Derek - and everyone else who has phoned and emailed us about their Astin Trew purchases. As a design and manufacture company, selling through UK retailers and distributors around the world, we are at 'arms length' from our end customers. <br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></span><span style="font-weight: bold;"></span>Astin Trewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11832316499665912551noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6198304572494661091.post-3642089788670590342007-11-29T08:44:00.000-08:002007-11-29T09:54:47.060-08:00Post-script to the 'tube rolling' article.<span style="font-family:arial;">Three weeks on from establishing this new blog information page, I am pleased to say lots of people are reading it and we have had some interesting email feedback regarding valves for the AT3500 CD player. The Phillips JAN valve, discussed in our previous blog entry, does seem to have become 'flavour of the month' - with everyone agreeing that it takes the AT3500 sound qualities up a rung or three and is a very worthwhile and cost effective upgrade. </span><br /><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:Arial;">We have tried the Phillips JAN valve in our cheaper AT3000 player and it does also improve this £650.00 machine. Not as much as with the more focused and articulate sounding AT3500 player, but an improvement there is - well worth the odd twenty pounds worth of valve. If you are inclined to upgrade your AT3000 player, the addition of Astin Trew isolation feet (as used on the AT3500 player as standard) also tightens up the bass a bit and generally focuses the music a little. As with all isolation feet on quality audio electronics, this is somewhat dependant on your component support rack design as well. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:Arial;">Remember, your Astin Trew dealer will change valves and isolation feet for you if you take in your machine. In this way, you will not invalidate your warranty if upgrading within 12 months of purchase. If you are doing any upgrades yourself, always read the instructions in the operating manual first - better still, ask your dealer to do them for you at the time of purchase.</span><br /><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:Arial;">Happy listening,</span><br /><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:Arial;">Michael Osborn</span><br /><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span>Astin Trewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11832316499665912551noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6198304572494661091.post-75855899551641308742007-11-02T07:12:00.000-07:002007-11-05T04:50:45.364-08:00AT3500 CD Player 'Tube rolling'Hello and <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">welcome</span> to the new <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Astin</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Trew</span> blog site. Established to <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">disseminate</span> news and views to all <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Astin</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">Trew</span> customers and potential customers.<br /><br />Our first bulletin is regarding valves (tubes if you prefer the US description) and alternative valves that our customers, UK Dealers and Distributors around the world have tried and fed back information to us about.<br /><br />A new AT3500 CD player of current production comes fitted with the Golden Dragon 6922 - this valve, which offers good sound and nutrality, is becoming difficult to source in the numbers we require; and we are going to have to supply the Electro-Harmonix 6922 in future batches. The Eletro-Harmonix valve offers a different perspective to the music, perhaps a tad less dynamic, but with some additional 'inner detail' referencing to the Golden Dragon. They are both better than other current production vales we have tried to date.<br /><br />So what feedback have we had on this subject? Dimitri, our Italian Distributor, swears by the 'Bugle Boy' brand and I have to say that the music our AT3500 was making in the Mad for Music room at the Milan Show this year was wonderful. <br /><br />Just a few weks ago, Stephen at The Audio Consultants (Dealer just outside Reading) suggested we should try the Phillips JAN new old stock (NOS) valve he likes very much. As I was visiting, with the AT3500, we tried the replacement valve and I was amazed by the improvement in just about every aspect of the musical presentation - more bass with better articulation, better tonality, cleaner high frequencies etc. etc. I was sold on this upgrade!<br /><br />This valve is not of course manufactured now so it can never be offered as standard, but whilst there are stocks available, we will be offering it as an upgrade valve through our UK Dealers. Those of you outside of the UK will have to ask your Dealers to source the valve for you, or search them out for yourselves!<br /><br />If you have tried any other valves that you think we should know about, feel free to let us know. You can contact us from the 'contact' page on our web site <a href="http://www.astintrew.co.uk/">www.astintrew.co.uk</a><br /><br />NOTE: If you are not a trained or compitant electrician, please ask your Dealer to change the valve over. If you do decide to change the valve yourself, always refer to the instructions supplied with the AT3500 CD player. <br /><br />...and guess what, the Bugle Boy valve is a re-badged Phillips JAN valve, so I'm told. Well there we go.<br /><br />Happy listening, Michael Osborn, Managing Director, Astin Trew.Astin Trewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11832316499665912551noreply@blogger.com0