Blumenstein Ultra Fi

[Grainger49]

I noticed last night that this thread got stickyed. 

Is the BottleBlumen breaking in all day?

[Doc B.]

Yes, the system is in the front room, which is also Eileen's office. So it's getting a lot of use. Been running most of the day, until I do my end of the day listening session on the big system upstairs.

[Grainger49]

So until the martini Blast-O-Rama (I hadn't heard you did that) the BottleBlumen is singing in the front.

[BNAL]

This post is driving me crazy, because I want to hear what the Orca's sound like. I wish I lived driving distance to the Pacific North West, so I could take advantage of the setup at BH headquarters. I guess I will have to suffer in San Diego.

Is there anyone around San Diego with Orca's?

[BNAL]

Ok. I decided to pull the trigger without first hearing the Orcas. This is based on what was written in these post and talking to Clark and others about them. They will replace my S.E.X.y speaker, and I

[Grainger49]

Brad,

If you like pinpoint images in a deep soundstage you are going to love them.

[BNAL]

I can't wait.  I have been using the S.E.X.y speakers that have Fostex 166e drivers and find that the single driver has a coherence through most of the frequency range that is very appealing to me, especially at lower volumes.

[johnsonad]

I can't wait.  I have been using the S.E.X.y speakers that have Fostex 166e drivers and find that the single driver has a coherence through most of the frequency range that is very appealing to me, especially at lower volumes.

Once they are burned in I hope to come up and listen to your pair!

[manis]

Ok. I decided to pull the trigger without first hearing the Orcas. This is based on what was written in these post and talking to Clark and others about them.

I hear ya. Since I live on a tiny island in the middle of the Mediterranean Sea, I have no chance whatsoever to listen to BottleBlumen combos or any other decent audio gear for that matter. So basically I just ordered a pre-owned SEX 2.1 (only a couple months mileage) five weeks ago, based on information I found on the net. What interested me in particular is the headphone amp/speaker amp combo. It has not disappointed so far... wait that's an understatement... Wow! Holy cow! How can something this inexpensive sound so good? What Hi-fi shops usually sell at this price point can now officially be classified as daylight robbery. I LOVE my SEX!

From what I understand, the people on these forums are of the no-nonsense type that don't particularly strike me as prone to hype. Last week I pulled the trigger on a pair of Orcas, as these little wonders receive so much positive feedback from the Bottlehead community and they seem to be in line with what I'm looking for in terms of soundstage, imaging, near field listening application, SEX(ual) synergy etc. Now I just hope the delivery man doesn't screw up and the import duty and VAT will not kill me before I get a chance to enjoy sonic nirvana!

[BNAL]

Manis,

We have something in common. My S.EX. was upgraded in the middle of the Mediterranean on a Navy ship. Thought I don't think it meets the electrical safety standards. Actually it does, because it has a safety ground.

[Demsy]

Finally receive my Orcas today, in good condition, after waiting for almost 3 months! Is this the first Orca in Indonesia?
Got about 8 hours of various music and they improve with the hours. I can say I like it a lot, imaging, sound stage width, depth and height is exceptionally good! And I'm sure it will also sound less harsh in the coming days together with other improvements.
Bravo Blumensteins!

[tdogzthmn]

Anyone have recommendations for the settings on the Sub woofer amp?  I have the 100W version and a single sub with black paper cone.  On the amp I have the Gain turned up a quarter and Freq. dial set at half way.  Sounds good but I'm hoping someone has found a nice sweet spot where the Orca and Subs mesh the best!

Thanks

[Doc B.]

It's going to vary with each room. Aside from taking response measurements that can show you if certain room modes are being drive, it's best to just tune by ear. I usually start with the sub off, then turn it up to where I just perceive it's addition to the bass. In our room with a Stereomour the sub level knob is about 10 o'clock and the crossover frequency knob is at about 110 Hz. We have lightly stuffed the Orca ports to reduce a resonance peak we were measuring at 90Hz. Your room could be very different.

[tdogzthmn]

After listening to an array of music genres on the Sub + Amp I've found that there is no single setting on the gain dial which works best.  I do find that the frequency response control sounds pretty good set around the 110 Hz.  My set-up is in a near field application on my desk so room effects are less of a concern. 

[Grainger49]

Blumenstein used to have a starting point somewhere on the site.  But I don't remember where.