Blumenstein Ultra Fi

[denti alligator]

What does your source put out for signal level? If you're already clipping the input of the Stereomour, clipping it more with a Quickie may not help.

How do I measure it? With CD and digital I'm fine. With phono I can max out the Steremour and still want more. This is only when I really want to crank it. For the most part I have the Stereomour knob turned 3/4 of the way up.

 

[Paul Birkeland]

Ah,  I see it in your signature.  A 0.4mV cartridge will leave you short of Redbook levels without some extra gain, which could be compensated for with the addition of the Quickie, maybe just on the phono input.

 

[Adrian]

I think the AT150MLX is a MM cart with 4mv output not 0.4mv.
Anywho....the suggestions for additional input gain (like a Quickee) might help.
Also, be wary of Paul's comment on excessive gain leading to clipping of the amp.

 

[BNAL]

I'm looking at getting a second pair of speakers for the office and thinking about the Marlins. I have the second gen Orcas in my main system and wanted to know if any one had both and could comment on the sound differences.

 

[BNAL]

Well I finally got around to installing the DOF kit in my Orcas. While I was at it I picked up the limited production run Fostex Fe83-SOL drivers. The speakers have been burning in for the last couple of days. I plan to bring them down from my kids room this weekend after they have about 120 hours on them and see how they sound. I'm hoping they match up nicely as they are an upgraded version of the FE83En.

 

[Mordicai]

Well I finally got around to installing the DOF kit in my Orcas. While I was at it I picked up the limited production run Fostex Fe83-SOL drivers. The speakers have been burning in for the last couple of days. I plan to bring them down from my kids room this weekend after they have about 120 hours on them and see how they sound. I'm hoping they match up nicely as they are an upgraded version of the FE83En.

I would love to hear your impression of the sol speakers vs the standard 83.  Please let us know how they sound

 

[tsingle999]

I just ordered a pair of fe83-sol for my orca deluxes. I tried the 4" 108sol's (in another speaker) and they were way better than the fe126e's. Im excited to hear them!

 

[yay]

I'm very interested in the orcas, i'm currently using a 10~ yearr old yamaha piano craft amp+speakers as my only speaker system. I have it on my desk, and that is its main useage. I also sometimes sit on a couch across the room for watching a movie or so, but mostly near field. I have a passive preamp from tisbury audio and im considering pairing them with the seductor. Would that work well? Or would a sex be a better choice. For now i would use them with my piano craft amp, but sell it as soon as i get a bottöehead amp.

 

[Doc B]

Either S.E.X. or the Seductor with a passive level control will work well. Gain is about the same, with Seductor giving you about 3dB more output if you need it.

 

[yay]

Will have to consider which one will be better for what i want, both seem to be good choices for desktop use but the seductor is easier to upgrade/integrate later.

 

[yay]

Got lucky and there were some used Orcas for sale in Europe and i snagged them up.
They are from 2014, so will likely order the DOF kit once i listened to them a bit. Looking forward to it  ;D

 

[JamieMcC]

Got lucky and there were some used Orcas for sale in Europe and i snagged them up.
They are from 2014, so will likely order the DOF kit once i listened to them a bit. Looking forward to it  ;D

Were they the ones on ebay? I looked at them myself a little while back. There is a very nice looking pair of Tritons up for grabs on one of the UK forums as well at the moment which are very tempting. Shocking timing as I've just picked up somthing else.

 

[yay]

Yes, grabbed the eBay ones. Should be here next week. Will order one of the bottlehead amps for it next month~

 

[tsingle999]

The fe-83-sol sounds way better to me in my orca deluxes than my fe-83. More authoritative bass and smoother on the treble. fwiw.

 

[RickS]

I see from Blumenstein's Instagram page that the Fostex fe83sol driver is now standard...  So far I haven't seen Grant comment on what he perceives as the advantages.  I'm anxious to try the upgraded driver since they're relatively inexpensive.

 

[Adrian]

I completed the Blumenstein Depth of Field (DOF) modification on my 2.2 Mini-Max speakers (the minis prior to the Marlin and the MAX subwoofer).
Work of warning, be careful with the FOSTEX FF85WK drivers.  I dented the dust cap on one and had to order a replacement.  Actually, I replaced both of the drivers and now have one good spare.

I have been listening for about two weeks to the newly modded pair and feel the new drivers have gone through their breakin period and I am very please.  These speakers were very good before the change but now I hear some improvement in clarity, quickness in response, and easiness with the music.

Last night I was listening at about half normal volume levels (using 300b Paramount amps with a passive preamp) to Fourplay, Robert Cray, and Joyce Cooling and was transfixed with the smooth sound and depth of each instrument and vocal.  One of those late-night nirvana moments.

 

[pdxgrampa]

I haven't seen a report on the DOF for Orca Deluxe so I will do one, sorta.
I replaced the Fostex EX with sols and did the DOF at the same time so not really a DOF report, but I would say
that in my opinion this is a very will spent ~ 200 bucks for drivers and DOF.
Also did the DOF for the old Orca Subs also more gooder.