REVIEW SHOP SHARE LEARN
Van Alstine Transcendence Seven EC
Van Alstine Transcendence Seven EC
MSRP: $ 1499.00

More Preamplifiers from Van Alstine >>
Search AudioReview forums for the Van Alstine Transcendence Seven EC >>
   
Popular Preamplifiers
more...
Top Ranked Products from Van Alstine.
Ultimate 70 Vacuum Tube Amplifier
Rated:
OmegaStar 440
Rated:
OmegaStar 440hc
Rated:
more...
 |  Sorted by Latest Review |  Sort by Best Rating >> |  Sort by Worst Rating >> | 
Rating
Reviewed by:

dave101010

(Audio Enthusiast)

Review Date
September 26, 2005

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Used product for
1 to 3 months

Rate this review?

Review 1 of 2

Price Paid:  $540.00 from E-BAY

Summary:
I am writing this review based on the Transcendence7ECR-The unit is a hybrid pre-amp. This unit retails for 1300, and does not have tone controls, or a phono upgrade. After using 3 different 12AT7 tubes in the unit, I put some Telefunken tubes -12AT7-ECC801S (pair) in. The effect was amazing, the detail and transparency are beyond anything I have heard in a pre-amp.While I did not hear the stock tubes in this amp, (I hear they sound great) the TFK's paired with the pre, sound amazing! My BAT cd player sounds so nice,I am hearing very natural detail, decay, transients,(insert various audiophile adjectives) and most of all soundstage! Van Alstine makes high quality products, at reasonable prices, this pre-amp is a good example.......I obviously made a great deal for a 15 month old pre-amp of such quality!

Strengths:
Smooooooooth......Detailed, two tubes, uses inexpensive 12AT7 tubes, always upgradeable.

Weaknesses:
Power cord is built into unit, you cannot replace unless you want to do some work...

Similar Products Used:
Forte 4a, Threshold T2, Threshold FET-2/upgraded, Audible Illusions Modulus 1-


Would you like to Comment?
Join audioReview for a free account, or Login if you are already a member.

Rating
Reviewed by:
Barnet Feingold
(AudioPhile)

Review Date
May 26, 2003

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Used product for
1 to 3 months

Visitors rate this review
4.40 of 5, 10.00 votes

Rate this review?

Review 2 of 2

Price Paid:  $1499.00 from AVA

Summary:
The AVA Transcendence Seven is a well constructed preamplifier made of top-quality parts. It is a joy to use. The Transcendence Seven made a dramatic difference in the sound of my system. It does a better job of reproducing the rapid dynamic contrasts (e.g. the attack of a drum or piano or the rapid starting and stopping that create the "texture" of the sound of a bowed string) that make performances of unamplified music sound unmistakably "live." This resolving ability has a number of effects. First, it dramatically reduces harshness and sourness that (based on listening to a wide variety of expensive, highly regarded equipment), I always assumed were on (some of) my recordings. Second, it allows me to hear the changes in tonality and volume that are essential to musical communication much more clearly. Third, it portrays each instrument noticably more realistically. Fourth, it makes it much easier to distinguish similar sounding instruments (say, two violins) from one another. Fifth, it allows individual instruments and voices to be heard (and followed) much more easily, even in complex, densely-orchestrated passages. Finally, it captures more of each instrument's "three-dimensional" quality and places each performer more securely in his or her place on the stage. While these characteristics may sound subtle, the net effect is not. The Transcendence Seven makes music more relaxing and enjoyable while making it more dramatic and exciting. It includes a superb headphone amplifier, which allows headphone listeners to appreciate all of its virtues. I've never heard a better preamp, regaradless of price.

Strengths:
Superb value. Amazing sound. Excellent construction and reliability. No quirks. Availability of reasonably priced upgrades as improvements become available.

Weaknesses:
None.

Similar Products Used:
Have owned various Audio Research and AVA preamplifers. Have also recently auditioned many brands of electronics, including Mark Levinson, Audio Research, Conrad-Johnson, Cary and Quicksilver.


Would you like to Comment?
Join audioReview for a free account, or Login if you are already a member.

Company Pages

Audio & Video company review pages. Browse product user reviews, compare prices, top ranked products, and compare specs by manufacturer.

Bowers Wilkins Reviews
Bowers & Wilkins
NAD Reviews
NAD
Marantz Reviews Marantz
Denon Reviews
Denon
Klipsch Reviews
Klipsch
Sony Reviews
Sony
Yamaha Reviews
Yamaha
Rotel Reviews
ROTEL
McIntosh Reviews
McIntosh
Bose Reviews
Bose
Polk Reviews
Polk Audio
Paradigm Reviews
Paradigm
Onkyo Reviews
Onkyo
JBL Reviews
JBL
KEF Reviews
KEF
Pioneer Lens Reviews
Pioneer
Harman Kardon Lens Reviews
Harman-Kardon
Panasonic Reviews
Panasonic
Press and News
Submit News & Press...
Audio and Video News & Press Releases.

Latest and Greatest

WIN Magnepan MMG Planar Speakers

Enter to win Magnepan MMG Planar Speakers. MMG's have a 4.71 of 5 rating on AudioReview. 271 People love these speakers. Enter to win, you may find bliss.

WIN Magnepan MMG Planar Speakers

Enter to win Magnepan MMG Planar Speakers. MMG's have a 4.71 of 5 rating on AudioReview. 271 People love these speakers. Enter to win, you may find bliss.

Best Floorstanding Speakers Under $1000

So many to choose from! Lets us boil it down. How to Choose a Floorstanding Speaker that fits you:

Aural Symphonics Chrono b2 balanced interconnects Review

The Aural Symphonics Chrono b2 is more a study in contrasts than most cables. Chrono b2 refers to balanced version 2.

Marantz MA-9S2 Reference Series Power Amplifiers Review

Marantz MA-9S2 Power AmplifierThe list above has one tenet that I continue to hold true: high powered amplifiers are necessary to reproduce the full dynamic range of music with most speakers. This became apparent when I changed from the 100 Watt per channel Bella Extreme 100 to the 250 Watt.....

Three Koetsu cartridges

The Koetsu line consists of 18 different cartridges divided into four sub categories. The aluminum body Black Goldline at $1800, the Rosewood series starting at $2600 and up to $5900, the Urushi line starting at $4300 to $4900, the Stone Body Platinum series starting at $8000...

Cambridge Azur 840E and 840W Review

If this combo would surmount the challenges and rise to the same level of performance, Cambridge would have a trinity of tasty components worthy of consideration by anyone...

Audio Tekne TFM-9412 integrated 300B amplifier Review

A Dagogo featured article: In the negotiation of his wish to become the U.S. Importer of Audio Tekne, Yujean was given a set of “rules” by Mr. Kiyaoki Imai, owner of Audio Tekne.....

Reviews and Featured Articles
Expert hi-fi audio reviews, blogs, and audio articles.