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Advent experiment - mod - much better sound IMO


Pete B

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Am interested in building and trying your device. One question - will it have any adverse effects on the electronics of the preamp or amplifier?

Thanks,

Marty

No, there's no reason for any adverse effect. The circuit is passive so the

midrange amplitude is pulled down and you'll have to run the volume at a

higher setting for the same listening level. This is not an issue at all since

there is plenty of gain with an active preamp.

We have a loaner out there in case you want to try it first. What sort of

system do you have?

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As I may have mentioned somewhere posting here that I've had my New Large Advents since 1980 that I purchased when I got a new stereo after several years without. What influenced me was a trip to the stereo store in 1974 with a friend when he bought a new stereo and got original Large Advents, an amazing 30 wpc Sony receiver and an AR XA turntable. With his setup I never really noticed the midrange problem perhaps because he had them almost flush against the wall so there were less baffle issues. Of course all I had it to compare to were my own BIC Venturi Formula 4 speakers driven by a 28 wpc Sansui reciever and sourced from an old Fairchild turntable with Thorens arm, a friend's Bose 901s powered by Phase Linear 400 and another's Altec Lansing Voice of the Theaters powered by Dynaco tube stuff. Then I worked with a guy who introduced me to stacked double original Advents driven by a Phase Linear 700. I thought then that that had to be about the ultimate. In 1980 I bought New Large Advents with some new Harman Kardon gear and they have stuck with me all this time. It was just within the last couple of years that I decided to put together a kickass vintage stereo around stacked double Advents. I ended up refoaming my Advents and getting four more pairs, one pair of U4s to match mine, two pairs of U3s that needed some work, and a pair of beautiful mint A4s. I had never really identified the midrange issue until I decided to put Advents out into the room. Over all this time I've always considered the Advent a pretty flat speaker and have treated it that way by setting the tweeter switch on Normal rather than Extended or Decrease. As I listen to more varied sources on my system with the BSC in place I am amazed that it could make such a difference. Whew! Sorry about the longwindedness.

Pete, I will gladly accept your spare components and will wait to build my circuit until they arrive. I found a deal on some very nice gold plated RCA jacks at the local Mom and Pop electronics store and have had the box for several weeks. The place is pretty funny, looks like he has stuff in there about as old as he is. Thanks again Pete.

Just wondering if you notice that the Advents appear to disappear with the BSC?

At least for me, once I heard a system that could pull off the disappearing act I

just had to have it. I find the lack of enough BSC results in a boxy sound like

bass/mid-bass from a box, and too much in the 1 to 4 K range causes a harsh

edgy sound. On the other hand when it's right there is just realistic music in the

room.

Those small Mom and Pop shops are refreshing to see, not many of them left. Do

they do mail order?

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No, there's no reason for any adverse effect. The circuit is passive so the

midrange amplitude is pulled down and you'll have to run the volume at a

higher setting for the same listening level. This is not an issue at all since

there is plenty of gain with an active preamp.

We have a loaner out there in case you want to try it first. What sort of

system do you have?

Thanks for you help and input. I am using two pair of large advents, but would like to switch to a single pair. (By the way, one pair is of original vintage and the other is of nla vintage. They seem to work pretty well together. I think I prefer the older speakers to the newer versions, but on balance, either pair sound pretty good.)

I believe the baffle loss you have so aptly described is one of the major gains derived from using these speakers in pairs; it doubles the baffle area. And the smoothing of the midrange is described in the absolute sound dual advent test.

I have utility models and have been watching for a pair of the prettier veneers. My thinking is that a single pair with the compensation module should be just the trick.

I am using a very basic NAD 320 integrated amp which is more than adequate given the modest size of our living room. I must say that the speakers make the music very enjoyable.

Thanks again,

marty

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Thanks for you help and input. I am using two pair of large advents, but would like to switch to a single pair. (By the way, one pair is of original vintage and the other is of nla vintage. They seem to work pretty well together. I think I prefer the older speakers to the newer versions, but on balance, either pair sound pretty good.)

I believe the baffle loss you have so aptly described is one of the major gains derived from using these speakers in pairs; it doubles the baffle area. And the smoothing of the midrange is described in the absolute sound dual advent test.

I have utility models and have been watching for a pair of the prettier veneers. My thinking is that a single pair with the compensation module should be just the trick.

I am using a very basic NAD 320 integrated amp which is more than adequate given the modest size of our living room. I must say that the speakers make the music very enjoyable.

Thanks again,

marty

Your thinking makes a lot of sense, people do seem to like

the BSC even with stacked Advents but I would agree that

singles probably need it more. Seems you should be next

for the loaner if you'd like to try it first. Feel free to PM your

mailing address to me if you're interested.

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Pete and Marty,

I have all my materials together to build my BSC, but my problem is finding time right now and I know I'll have a few questions before I proceed. I know I won't get to it for about a week or two, but if Marty really wants to hear the loaner BSC, and the 6dB unit is appropriate, I'll mail it. If you want it PM me your address.

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Just wondering if you notice that the Advents appear to disappear with the BSC?

At least for me, once I heard a system that could pull off the disappearing act I

just had to have it. I find the lack of enough BSC results in a boxy sound like

bass/mid-bass from a box, and too much in the 1 to 4 K range causes a harsh

edgy sound. On the other hand when it's right there is just realistic music in the

room.

Those small Mom and Pop shops are refreshing to see, not many of them left. Do

they do mail order?

Other than having some lingering problems with my room which I will address with some more acoustic treatments, I would have to say that, yes, the Advents become less apparent with the BSC. Advents are pretty good with proper placement to begin with. But when you locate them into the room yielding an incredible soundstage the BSC really helps with the sound. I'm really appreciating my vinyl right now and can't wait to get my HK Citation Eleven back as it should provide another improvement.

I don't know if this mom and pop is organized enough to know what they even have in stock, except that when you ask for something the old guy seems to know where he might have it. If you want you could PM me and I could give you his phone number. I'm sure he would welcome the business.

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Pete and Marty,

I have all my materials together to build my BSC, but my problem is finding time right now and I know I'll have a few questions before I proceed. I know I won't get to it for about a week or two, but if Marty really wants to hear the loaner BSC, and the 6dB unit is appropriate, I'll mail it. If you want it PM me your address.

I didn't mean to rush you, I'm fine with you two working it out.

I think finishing yours will go fast once you dig into the soldering.

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I didn't mean to rush you, I'm fine with you two working it out.

I think finishing yours will go fast once you dig into the soldering.

Marty tells me he's got the parts on order and doesn't need the

loaner so no rush at all.

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Guest Whatever

I'm very interested in building one of these but I'm wondering if there would be an easy way to totally switch it "off" as I have different sets of speakers setup and wouldn't want it in any way effecting the other pair.

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Pete,

Got the parts last night. Assembled the BSC this AM. It works. I like it.

Many thanks,

Marty

Your welcome and thanks for commenting.

I'd be interested to hear about any further impressions good or bad.

Thannks!

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I'm very interested in building one of these but I'm wondering if there would be an easy way to totally switch it "off" as I have different sets of speakers setup and wouldn't want it in any way effecting the other pair.

Put it in a spare tape monitor loop or EPL loop, if you have either of them.

Or you could build it with a disable switch.

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Your welcome and thanks for commenting.

I'd be interested to hear about any further impressions good or bad.

Thannks!

Pete,

The presence of a single pair of BSC equiped speakers rivals the unattenuated presence of the previous four. Finally got the speakers positioned about 12 inches off the floor. Overall, the sound is magic. The definition of the various instruments and voices is better with the BSC than without. I am amused by how good it sounds.

Thanks again for your help and offer of the loaner.

Regards,

Marty

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  • 1 month later...
Pete,

The presence of a single pair of BSC equiped speakers rivals the unattenuated presence of the previous four. Finally got the speakers positioned about 12 inches off the floor. Overall, the sound is magic. The definition of the various instruments and voices is better with the BSC than without. I am amused by how good it sounds.

Thanks again for your help and offer of the loaner.

Regards,

Marty

Hi Marty,

Thanks very much for your comments.

Yes, I agree that most speakers that I like have the ability to disappear

leaving just music in the room with little if any attention drawn to the

speakers. It does seem like magic when this happens, and once it is

experienced it is hard to give up. I too get a huge kick out of how good

the inexpensive Advents can sound with BSC.

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  • 1 month later...
Guest olddude55
Hi Marty,

Thanks very much for your comments.

Yes, I agree that most speakers that I like have the ability to disappear

leaving just music in the room with little if any attention drawn to the

speakers. It does seem like magic when this happens, and once it is

experienced it is hard to give up. I too get a huge kick out of how good

the inexpensive Advents can sound with BSC.

OK, I built my own BSC on Saturday. I didn't get to listen much--my wife's aunt is using my stereo room as a guest room for the next week and she arrived Saturday evening--but what I heard knocked my socks off.

Running stacked Advents with a NAD 352 BEE. The Advents are a mixed pair, with New Large Advents on the bottom and Masonite walnut cabs on top (smoother that way).

I'm a vinyl 100%-er at home.

The BSC takes the old Advents to an entirely different level. Voices and soundstaging are vastly improved.

Once Auntie goes home, I'm gonna try some different room treatments, too.

Thanks Pete!

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Can I please be put in line to try the BSC loaner circuit?

I haven't used my large walnut advents in over a year. The reason being is that the high end seems harsh to me.

The BSC circuit seems like it cures that problem as well as adding other benefits.

Thank you!

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OK, I built my own BSC on Saturday. I didn't get to listen much--my wife's aunt is using my stereo room as a guest room for the next week and she arrived Saturday evening--but what I heard knocked my socks off.

Running stacked Advents with a NAD 352 BEE. The Advents are a mixed pair, with New Large Advents on the bottom and Masonite walnut cabs on top (smoother that way).

I'm a vinyl 100%-er at home.

The BSC takes the old Advents to an entirely different level. Voices and soundstaging are vastly improved.

Once Auntie goes home, I'm gonna try some different room treatments, too.

Thanks Pete!

Thanks for letting us know that you tried the BSC. I enjoy hearing comments

like "The BSC takes the old Advents to an entirely different level"

Please let us know when you're able to do more critical listening.

Best regards,

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Can I please be put in line to try the BSC loaner circuit?

I haven't used my large walnut advents in over a year. The reason being is that the high end seems harsh to me.

The BSC circuit seems like it cures that problem as well as adding other benefits.

Thank you!

Sure Stan, I'll PM you about coordinating the shipping.

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Guest olddude55
Thanks for letting us know that you tried the BSC. I enjoy hearing comments

like "The BSC takes the old Advents to an entirely different level"

Please let us know when you're able to do more critical listening.

Best regards,

I don't think my old 'vents have ever sounded this good. The wealth of inner detail is astounding! I can hear every note of Geddy Lee's bass, can place Laura Cantrell's back-up vocalists precisely in the soundstage. A 45-rpm promo of the Blue Aeroplanes' "Yr Own World" nearly knocked me on my butt.

Finally, the speakers are as much fun to use as the headphones.

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I have to agree. The Advents sound as fine as any speaker I have heard or owned. I am in the process of selling some of the pre advent equipment that I have acquired. I hooked up my old pair of celestion SL6si's prior to check them out prior to their sale. They are truly marvelous speakers, but lack the full range of the advents. I don't think I would want to go back.

Thanks again Pete for your really fine work and making it available to us.

Sincerely,

Marty

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  • 2 weeks later...

I have just acquired a pair of new advents and would like to improve the highs.

The mod option sounds great.

Haven't a clue how to do it, after reading the thread.

A picture of this gizmo whould sure help.

Can anyone assist?

Thanks, Bill

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I have just acquired a pair of new advents and would like to improve the highs.

The mod option sounds great.

Haven't a clue how to do it, after reading the thread.

A picture of this gizmo whould sure help.

Can anyone assist?

Thanks, Bill

Hi, Nice to hear that you're interested, the picture is here:

http://img180.imageshack.us/img180/1313/bscpictorcrdc9.jpg

http://www.classicspeakerpages.net/IP.Boar...=2692&st=60

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