Well if you haven’t guessed it yet my multichannel amp search is over !

I’ve spent quite a extraordinary amount of time auditioning an Elektra Theatre 7 over the last couple of days and I’d have to say I’m very impressed !.

My auditioning included :
Part 1 – with my usual test DVDs and including watching one dvd movie followed by 2 other movies live on TV.
Part 2 – 2ch listening with my musical fidelity pre comparing with my musical fidelity mono blocs
Part 3 – Comparing 2ch performance with a Rotel 1080 2x200W power amp

In summary this is a beautiful amp for both HT and music with remarkable capabilities and is incredible value given what it is. It has a very clean sound with heaps of detail. It does not have a sound that’s way out there with limited appeal. It is very well built and aussie made. I’d highly recommend this one for anyone with an avr or pre-pro & pwr amps - a worthy upgrade from whatever you have.

The equipment:
Denon 2900 dvd/universal disc.player
Harman Kardon AVR630 as a pre-pro
Teac DVB800 HD stb
Richter Centre and Bipole rears
Musical Fidelity Pre and two 150W mono blocks driving (L&R)fronts
Mission fronts
Speaker cables - linear crystal(centre), Vandenhul(fronts) & cable talk flat(rears)
Interconnects - Jaycar amp king interconnects to hook upto HK AVR630, Jaycar Response interconnects to connect upto my 2ch pre.

Acknowledgements
Many thanks to Glen at Frankston Hifi for providing me with the Elektra Theatre 7 for a couple of days to have a good listen over the weekend.
Also thanks to Spearmint for the 2ch comparisons with his rotel 1080 at his place. Also thanks to nobby for being part of the rotel comparison and his thoughts and impressions.

The trial gear
The Elektra Theatre 7 ($3,995rrp) coupled to the Harman Kardon avr630 as a pre-pro

http://www.lenwallisaudio.com.au/products/...ils.php?pid=575

In looks its very much like the electrocompaniet amps with thick Perspex front panel with black painted back ground giving a high gloss black front with Gold lettering boldly stating its an Elektra Theatre. Overall I think it is a very smart looking amp. It has a very positive industrial on/off switch on the front panel along with a bright blue led to indicate its on.

On the back are good quality Binding posts and RCAs and clear lettering identifying each input and a switch to switch auto signal sensing on or off. I found the amp switching on and off when doing setup with pink noise - so soon switched auto sensing off. There is also a 12v trigger on the back to hook upto your avr or pre-pro.

The pwr amp itself weighs close to 30kg but it is actually quite compact really given what it is. Every bit of it is very solid. It has massive heat sinks either side of the amp - and even with all I could throw at it – just like my mf mono blocs it ran as cool as a cucumber at all times.

Its weight is no doubt contributed to by the massive toroidal transformer that is inside and peaking in through the grill on top I saw four quite large quality michicon Caps sitting inside and all the quality of construction/soldering/workmanship I could see I could not fault.

The material:
Run Lola Run - title and opening scene using the DD5.1 soundtrack – this movie in the initial opening has good demonstration of low sub bass, spatial information, test of soundstage, projection of sounds, sound pans and vocals. We ended up watching the whole movie after watching the opening !

Morcheeba, Brixton to Beijing concert. DD5.1 track. Track 4 Tape Loop. Good for testing atmospherics, Vocals, a bit of sub plus good workout for the mains & surrounds with the concert and audience.

Master and commander chapter 4 – in DTS the scene with Canon balls is incredible test of sheer impact of a system, bass & sub setup, surround capability and sheer dynamics.

Chicken run & Wedding singer – live of digital feed from teac dvb800 HD stb using PLIIx, DTS Neo6 & Logic 7 decoding off the stereo sound track good test of surround processing, vocals, music and detail capabilities.

Meshell NdegeOcello – Plantation Lullabies, Tracks 5,6&7 – great mid to low bass, very good detail, vocals and soundstage.
Angelique Kidjo – Oremi, Tracks 10,11 & 12
Nitin Sawhney – Tracks 1,2 & 3
Spearmint's own compilation including tracks from Fourplay, Diana Krall, Steely Dan, Andreas Vollenweider, Dire Straits, Harry Connick etc..

Part 1 – with my usual test DVDs and including watching one dvd movie followed by 2 other movies live on TV.

I hooked up the Elektra upto the pre-outs of the avr630 using the jaycar Amp King interconnects – fortunately no hum !. Again I setup using the test tones on the HK AVR 630 and found a little tweaking was required. I tried my standard test discs. First thing I noticed with morcheeba is the sound out of the centre was more open and fuller with more body. The overall sound blended in very well with my mf mono blocs running the fronts. Definetely very musical sound with good sound stage breadth and depth. Still has the BIG being there sound which is great for watching concerts.

Next up ch 4 - master and commander. Extraordinary dynamics and detail, huge improvement in the clarity of vocals, great placement of effects all around the room - and that’s without having the volume turned up! Again here I’m hearing things never heard before like the whirring of the cannon balls and the shear sense of atmosphere was again something not experienced before.

Next was the opening credits of Run lola run – no doubt more noticeable detail and very distinct steering infact much improved over using the internal amps on the HK AVR630 which was surprising. AT this stage as getting through the opening credits my wife happened to come downstairs and started listening/watching with me – saying “haven’t seen this one for a while” and so we started watching the movie….. quite a few parts of the movie quite surprised me – when people walk on screen you could now hear them walking up and then walking on. In the scene at the Casino when Lola goes in for a last ditch effort to win a 100,000 – when the roulette wheel is going around, we could hear and follow the ball in the roulette wheel going all around the room – I have watched this movie quite a few times and have never experienced this ever before.

Following on from this we caught a bit of dinner and returned to watch chicken run followed by Wedding Singer that was on TV that night. Using logic 7 off the stereo pcm optical feed of the stb. Great effects, steering and vocals with chicken run, and watching Wedding Singer was great for all those 80’s classics. Watching 3 movies in a row told me one thing. The Elektra has a very likeable sound for HT, at no stage did get on our nerves, watching these movies was a very enjoyable experience for its effects, detail and overall sound. And the Elektra has the kind of sound you can quite easily listen to for hours.


Part 2 – 2ch listening with my musical fidelity pre comparing with my musical fidelity mono blocs
As doing any AB comparison is next to impossible with comparing pwr amps. The way I approached this one was to listen to the tracks listed above in the “material” section - this is a mix of my favourite tracks I’m very familiar with. Starting off with Angelique Kidjo’s Oremi - was a good reminder on how much I like th mf amps and my system, detail, richness, full sound, wide and deep sound stage and great vocals. I listened through the tracks with Meshell NdegeOcello & Nitn Sawhney tracks to follow, great bass lines and a certain rightness to the sound – that I’m used to.

Then swapped over cables to the hook up the Elektra to my mf 2ch pre and to my mission mains. I then started again with the tracks again in the same order. Noticed a little down on loudness so bumped up the vol knob on the pre so read 70db on the spl meter as with the previous demo. And that’s when I realised just how good this amp is. More detail than my mf amp, a very fluid, smooth sound. Very listenable, very easy going but with dynamics, detail. Soundstage just as good with the mf amps. Lacking a little in overall drive and the grip of the mf and also in the mf overall character. But man this amp is good !, quite amazed. Overall I think I still prefer the mf sound for music but that just could be because its what I’m used to and familiar with. I think many people would be quite pleased the way this amp does music.

I did a quick return to the mf mono blocs to confirm my impressions.

Part 3 – Comparing 2ch performance with a Rotel 1080 2x200W power amp
OK then it was time to unplug the amp and put in the back seat for a trip over to Spearmints place for the Rotel comparison and to see what Nobby and spearmint think of it.

We ran through a CD compilation of spearmint’s using the Rotel 1080 hooked upto his mains via the rotel 1098 pre-pro and his mains and subs in toe. General consensus was the rotel as nobby described it is a pretty damn good sound really. Warmish full sound and bass, with detail and good sound stage.

After running through the tracks we then swapped the rotel 1080 for the Elektra – first up impressions was a leaner sound. Spearmint described the bass of the rotel to be muddy by comparison. A lot more apparent detail with the Elektra. Tiny nuances with music to me were more apparent and distinct.

We returned to the rotel 1080 for a final comparison. Nobby’s sum up was the Elektra had a very clean sound – I’ll leave it to nobby and spearmint to add in here with any more comments or impressions they might have with the comparison.

Some conclusions
The Elektra is an amp perfectly suited to HT with great dynamics and detail, with a fluid clean sound that in my system doesn’t tire you and you can listen to for hours. Its overall sound unlike many power amps out there is not way out and distinct as with say primare. Meaning it will have a fair bit of universal appeal and making it fairly easy to blend in with systems like mine. For a HT amp it is particularly adept with 2ch to the point it really surprised me. And this is given I’ve listened to a lot of similar priced good quality 2ch amps in my time.

Is very solidly built and to me is the kind of amp that will last a very long time and you’d end up keeping for a very long time – 10+ years. As a design it does not appear to be pushed and running cool as it does with its massive heatsinks – I’d say its something that should go the distance.

I think we are extraordinarily lucky to have products like the theatre 7 available to us here in Aus for the price it retails – keep in mind given it works out to about $500-$600 per 185w channel, that is incredible value. The icing on the cake is its Australian made – makes me proud we can produce a product like this.

Where to from here ….
I was pretty sorry to have to return this amp. Certainly missed it watching Minority report on TV Sunday night in DD5.1 with just the onboard amps in my HK AVR630, knowing full well how much better it would have sounded with the Elektra on board. I’ve put my name down for one of these amps – I have found what I was looking for. There is a waiting list to get an amp like this with a wait of 3-4 weeks for delivery. They are hand made and Arthur at Elektra apparently sells all that he makes of them. It also takes about 100 hours for an amp like this to run in - so its going to be a while before I get to experience the full effect and beauty of its sound again.

But the wait I can tell you will sure be worth it………….


edit. links to some pics
http://www.dtvforum.info/index.php?showtopic=20198

That was a very good read and a great review - thanks for taking the time to list your impressions.

I havent heard an Elektra in 3 years - not since Arthur really started pumping them out - and back then he didnt have a seven channel version on offer.

I notice the price has gone up a fair 'whack' - but then its still a bargain - even more so considering its got 7 channels on board!

Do you know much about the technicial specs?

The reason I ask is I simply havent heard ANYTHING that made me want to wet myself like the Theta Drednaught and it uses a zero feedback design - something I have come to realise most likely is the key difference between it and other alternatives (the BAT uses a zero feedback as well and was the closest I heard to the Theta). The Integra Research (designed by the BAT designer) rates a mention here as well.

I remember the Elektra being very fluid and very smooth - which appealed to me greatly. I can only imagine that the current generation is better again and as you point out - being Aussie made is simply PHENOMENAL value.

Again - good review and well written. Perhaps the best part of the review is that you liked it so much you ordered one! Now thats a good endorsement!

thanks Worx - really enjoyed the listen and the whole weekend.

check the len wallis site for specs in the link in the review. Think its the best around regarding the specs. If anyone else has any others feel free to post

Great writeup Alain,

Congrats on your new purchase as well, I'm sure you will enjoy it thoroughly for years to come.

I recently have had an audition of the Elektra with my KEFs as well. Bear in mind that I am mainly looking for improvements in Music as oppose to movies like your self.

Unfortunately for me, I thought the sound was a little bit lean and thin compare to the warmth of say the Rotels.

I think you are write that Elektra definately brings out more details. I noticed it in both the top and the bottom-end compare to Rotel. However it did appear a touch too transparent for my liking.

I now suspect that it wasn't probably warmed up..... that might be the case.....

In any event, it wasn't a sound that I couldn't live with or anything, it just didn't do it for me over the hour or two I spent with it......

I think for HT application it is probably a much better amp.

cheers,

Ritesh

Excellent review Alebonau.

My personal take was I thought the Elektra was very lean especially in the bottom end. Turning up the volume certainly bought more out of the amp, there is definitely more detail when you have the levels increased. The gain on the sample Elektra appeared to be down compared to the Rotel, although I never checked the output levels of the speakers; I was just going via the volume level on the pre amp. Also Nobby & I only had a little over an hour of listening to this amp.

Remembering that B&W’s R&D department create Rotels sonic signature is possibly why the Rotels have a warmer sound. BTW this is why in most countries around the world dealers that sell Rotel also sell B&W. The bass on the Rotel has more emphasis and was much better for listening at lower levels IMO.

So I guess for me if you tend to listen a lot at low to moderate levels (like I do) then the Elektra amp is very light on, also remember that my subs are on for all modes so the lightness of the bottom end is above 80hz. Turning up the volume certainly bought out a different sound, very likable and with plenty of detail, I also wonder if having a leaner bottom end is to help emphasis the mids & highs and give the impression of detail.

Very hard to put a finger on why the amp sounds like it does at low volumes, almost like there is a high pass filter built in to protect the bottom end. If this were the case then maybe this is how they can get seven channels running from the power supply by restricting its requirement to drive the lower freq’s so hard, although it does concern me why there is very little published objective data on any of Elektra’s gear.

All in all very nice amp, plenty of detail, good dynamics when the volume is turned up, nice looking unit from the front, so yes Al you should have years of enjoyment from both your new toys.

That’s fair enough ritesh. You have done the right thing on checking this one out with your speakers – I can’t comment on the kefs as have not tried them with the Rotels and Elektra and done a side by side.

What I would say though is what actually surprised me the most with this home demo was just how good the Elektra was with music – its not something I was expecting especially up against my mf amps.

I’ll go as far as saying that if I did not have my mf amps I think I’d be more than happy with its performance with music – as I think many people will. I certainly would not call its sound neutral to the sense of cold or analytical - I actually think it has a very fluid likeable sound.

As far as the Rotels, I did demo them and have now listened to them many times. I think it’s a personal preference thing here but I’m after a bit more bite and solidity for my HT than what the Rotels have to offer – I found them a little soft for my liking. But do understand they also have quite a following with a lot of people liking its sound as well and as I mentioned think its a personal preference thing.

again fair enough there too spearmint. Thanks for posting your impressions. Yes not sure we spent enough time with comparing with the rotels. Yes can remember the sense of lightness when switching straight from the rotels - but that could be because the rotels are emphasising that side of it too I guess. Could be the rotels tuned for B&W as you say.

All comes back to matching up to different speakers and personal preferences I think.

As far as volume levels not sure I mentioned it in my review but all the way through my demos I actually was quite suprised how enjoyable it was at just easy listening levels.

my demo comparing with the mf was at 70db and also like you found gain was lower on the elktra to my mf so had to turn up the volume knob just a tad to get the same sound level - I think thats just in the amps design.

As far as objective data - not sure, again if anyone has any access to that sort of material please feel free to post.

Thanks to Al and Spearmint for letting me tag along. If I could add my impressions from our session.

Physically the Elektra is well put together. A quick pick up shows a solid weight that ensures that there is no gutless power supplies in the unit, there must be a few toroids or perhaps one big one. This is the way it should be for a 7 channel amp claiming 150W per channel. It's plain looking but black which I like, has a brooding powerful look with an edge of class on the front with the gold lettering. The terminals on the rear are all well spaced with Velleman binding posts and nice clear white labelling of each input which is often a clinch point when re-wiring in the back of dark/dusty equipment racks.

Sonically the Electra is a very neutral amp. It was not forward nor backwards in any way. The soundstage that it produced was very lively with alot going on in the background of each track. It had an incredible amount of resolution with the smallest details being pulled out of the Seas Millenium Tweeters. Because of this neutrality the sound-stage produced was lovely, nice and three dimensional, no wall of sound, with good height.

Mid-range was neutral, there was a few recording anomalies in the mid-range that we picked out which came out loud and clear from the Elektra, not the sort of amp and speakers you want to be playing MP3 music out of! The upper bass range was strange. Some would call it a little thin and it's hard to say if this was improving the sounds of the mid's and high's. The bass was there most definitely but it certainly wasn't the well bodied rounded sort of bass one would get from a Rotel or Marantz perhaps.

Overall great amp - extremely neutral, clean and detailed, if you really want to hear how something was recorded go for this amp, it made the Rotel sound a bit muddied without much detail in comparison which was interesting to hear as I have a lot of respect for Rotel amps. The Rotel had much more of a signature with a bit less resolution but better, let me rephrase that and say warmer, bass. The bass is an interesting point and would need far more listening that we were able to manage in the afternoon. I like my amps as accurate as I can possibly hear and this one certainly produced however the laws of diminishing returns does apply where you could easily argue on how much dollars is worth how much sound such as the Rotel which is cheaper in $ per channel of power.

Summing things up it's a great amp but to avoid the ever present law of diminishing returns to get the best out of it a few things need to be in place:
- the money
- speakers and setup that are up to the task to show of the extra resolution and depth of soundstage
- good quality source, (material included)

Hey Al,

Great to see you've made your choice, and what a fine choice it is!

I agree with you about the rotel amps, they just didn't suit my ear either, too soft and lacking in zing. That's not to say the Elektra is bright - it isn't -just more detailed to my ear.

I can tell you too, that the Elektra gets better with running in (or it could be the cyrus, or both?) - but I've noticed better steering and a more 3D sound on PLII sources with more use.

Edit: I've never noticed any change at lower volumes either, but that's just me To me, the bass of the Elektra is very "punchy", it seems to grab the drivers and take control of them! In comparison, the Rotel (IMHO) seemed to just wobble them about a bit

Al, congrats on the choice and thanks all for your comments. Nice to hear different viewpoints and comments from the same and different auditions and from people we recognise. Well done chaps - a valuable forum contribution that has certainly been of interest to me also.

Austrian, I agree with your comments above. I had my Elektra 6 Channel Power Amp for 5 years. A truely wonderful Amp. No Question.

nobby thanks for posting, good sum up and pretty spot on I think

Thanks norpus, bizzi, the austrian. this one is a beauty no question. Its very pleasing and an absolute pleasure to come across something like it honestly, thanks for the encouragement in pointing me in its way.

The word "thin" has been used a few times now, (I certainly tossed it in my post above). No one has commented but I have a feeling that perhaps this amp. does require some time to warm-up. May be someone with more experience with Electra can chime-in here....

When I was listening to Electra, it brought back memories of my first encounter with Plinius (a wonderful amp. BTW); on that first listening, it too appeared a tad thin, and when I heard it a few hours later, it was different and that same "thinness" that I felt was associated with Plinius was all gone !

It is this experience of mine, which made me specifically make a note in my "reviews of the AVRs theard" and this thread regarding the "warm-up" time.

I guess once Al, actually get the amp. I am sure we all will learn this aspect and many more things about the amp.

Ritesh

Perhaps warm up time is an issue ritesh. Maybe other owners out there with the elektra can comment.

As far as warm up time for my demo's. I switched on sat afternoon and didn't start listening an hour or so after. I did serious listeniong saturday afternoon, evening and saturday night - the amp was on all that time. On sunday morning I know I switched it on about an hour or so before any listening was done and then did some serious listening for a couple of hours after. With the listen at spearmints place it was out of the car and probably hooked up for a listen maybe 1/2 later ? so perhaps warm up a factor there.

I suspect though really its more about a relative comparison with the rotel that gives the impression though.

Austrian as far as brightness, there is no way I'd describe the Elektra as bright either. As my mission mains are quite forward and revealing and can be brutal with bright sounding sources and amps.

Ok, I'll bite. I'm not sure that "thin" is the correct word. I've had the 6 channel version of the Elektra for about 18 months now, coupled with a Yamaha RXV1200 amp (used as a pre-amp).

The word I would use is "slightly harsh" or "bright". And yes, it does sound better once everthing has warmed up.

I auditioned the Elektra, Rotel RMB series plus others.

I found the Rotel a little too warm, quite muted, even muffled. I prefer a harsher (more trebbly, if that's a word) sound.

It sounds great to me (see config below)

Chris

alebonau Thanks for the review of the Elektra Theatre 7 and set-up pics
I must "check-it" out at Len Wallis next time I visit Sydney
impressive setup- wish my place was so tidy!

In terms of warm up, I leave mine on 24/7 !! lol

RB, I think that "trebbly" sound you speak of is really just the amp being "honest" and a little more accurate than most.

With Elektra in my case, the guy took it out of the cabinet in front of me, and it was just lying there......the fact that it was the 2ch reference amp. I DEFINATELY would have liked it to have been up and running for some time prior the auditioning. I think I'll go and have another look at it. My KEFs are quite laid back and almost everything sounds fuller and warmer with them

On the other note, yeah I didn't think it was bright or anything like that.

It wasn't bright, upfront etc.; it wasn't laid-back and warm; it was quite neutral, fast, just a touch thinner sounding....

I will though have another look; and report back, to confirm or otherwise,

Ritesh

Yes ritesh dealers can be a bugger like that. Often with demos I've rung dealers well prior to ask them to switch on the amps for a demo and the buggers still don't bother to turn them on and the amp is stone cold when I get there to demo.

Keep persevering, there are dealers out there who fix specific demo times to make sure theyve got things set up and warmed up prior to when you arrive - I think they realise makes comparisons difficult any otherwise.

By the way I notice you are talking of the 2ch reference elektra ?. I'd be carefull in comparing its 2ch sound with the theatre 7ch amp. I have heard the reference twice. and although it does have similar traits to the theatre 7 I understand it has a different design and tuning with a more class A bias for 2ch and a lot lot more power per channel.

I'm still new at this so excuse the noobish question, does this mean that if you turn on your amp at home and watch something that the sound is not as good as if you had turned it on a while before whatever you watch?

How long do you usually need to have it on for before it gives a good sound? Do you need to be running any signal through it, or just have it switched on?

That is correct.

If I've had equipment on I don't bother with warm up and have not noticed any effects in regards a further warm up time.

If I've had equipment off. I often switch it on and have it coasting in the background for ~20min before any serious listening.

Keep in mind my comments are purely based on where critical listening is involved. Generally with just background music or general everyday TV viewing its just a case of switch on and go.

Will be interesting what others appoach here is but think this is a topic best started in another thread rather than as part of this review thread.

I picked up my Elektra theatre 7 yesterday, almost exactly 1 month from when the order was placed - must say I'm impressed that they promised 4-6 weeks delivery and I got it in 4weeks. Given I expected to be d!cked around and be forever waiting for it I am very happy and a thankyou to Glen on Frankston hifi for delivering as promised. Glen suggested it will take a good run in ~100hrs as amp only had elektra's test hrs on it.

It arrives in a non descript unmarked plain cardboard carton. and you have to unpack it like a fridge or washing machine - cut/open both ends and lift the carton off - the way its packed could not see any other way to get it out of there. Was amused to see it had a serial no. 280705 – giving indication could not be any fresher straight from Elektra !

Comes with a few sheets stapled together as a manual - ofcourse haven't even bothered to even look at that one.

I've had all my setup(cables and amp rack) ready and waiting for its arrival and hence hookup was just a matter 5-10 min flat. I'm using a 2m Kordz vector VI interconnect between the pre-outs of my HK AVR630 and the inputs of my elektra.

With a quick hookup and a quick run around the speakers with the test tone and level meter was setup and sitting down in time for the 8:30 movie.

Watched Bend it like Beckham which was on 7. Used logic 7 for 7.1 off the stereo pcm track from my teac dvb-800 stb.

Initally felt there was a little thickening to vocals but that went away somewhere between 30min to an hour – no doubts from the caps in there settling down. Ist thing very apparent after 30min to hour of listening was now I know glen at frankston said 100 hrs for run in but theres so much of the characteristics of the amp shining through already. The clean sound. Not strained - fluid. The clarity, the fact that we were watching the movie at –36db, did not need to crank it up to enjoy it. Great dynamics when needed. And the surround effects are just so noticeable. Atmosphere created in the room so much more noticeable. Really can’t wait to see what its like 100 hrs down the track.

Enjoyed watching bend it like beckham, some good music, atmosphere, very funny also pretty good use of surrounds with flyovers etc and good test of vocals.

Seven followed up Bend it like beckham with Abyss which is an old favourite of mine from VHS & pro logic days. Had a great opening, seven unfortunately for some inane reason was showing the 4:3 version so swapped to the dvd version I have and watched with in DD5.1 using EX to decode the rears for 6.1. Now its been a while since I’ve watched this film but straight away you notice with the Elektra the atmosphere & effects and again vocals are very clear and all this at very reasonable levels without having it cranked up which is great for late night viewing and with a baby in the house.

Very early days for any more comments but I am very happy already. One thing for sure very glad pre run in, it does not sound like crap, theres plenty of its DNA shining through and offcourse can only better from here. This morning going to double check levels via dve.

Will post back an update past the 100hr mark.

If anyones interested in how I’ve got it setup, heres a few pics.

http://www.dtvforum.info/index.php?showtop...ndpost&p=236945

Very nice setup Al. I'd be wondering if the electra is better than your mono blocks actually *grin*.

With that and the rears you just added with the HK it is becoming a very audiophile HT system, I am green with envy!

thanks nobby,

yes good question, with the weekend audition I did on the demo unit, I preferred my musical fidelity's mono blocs grip and overall sound charecter for music. As I mentioned in my review that could be just because thats how I'm used to music sounding (keep in mind I've had the mf for well over a decade now so very conditioned to its sound). All that said the elktra is actually very impressive with music and something that really suprised me about it.

So I'm keeping an open mind on it. I'll do another comparison and extended listening after the 100 hr mark to give the elektra the full benefit and check things out then.

Hi Al,

I'm sure the amp will improve with time. Thanks for posting your comments and the pictures.

Nice cat by the way!

Mark

It'll be a flat cat if it chews through the cabling

good to know there's even better to come with time mark.

yes the cat seemed take an instant liking to the elektra as soon as I put it in the rack !



hehehe yes fortunately she hasn't taken a liking to chewing cables or there'd be a lot of fun to be had behind the equipment !

Try having a 15 month old who's just worked out that leads can be plugged/unplugged

Luckily my Elektra is too heavy for her to move to get at, but DVD players etc .........hmmmm.

CHriso

Al and others, apart from the extra channel, was there any further significant upgrades in the Elektra 7 from the 6?

hi norpus check this post might get some clues from whats involved
http://www.dtvforum.info/index.php?showtop...ndpost&p=224529

all that said not sure elektra make anything bar the 7ch any more given the cost involved.

The 5ch I understand has a lower rated power supply you might want to check the specs of the 6 vs the 7ch version off the len wallis site.

I was reading some posts by Ethan Winer from Realtraps and came across one that I thought might be appropriate to this thread. I for one was not aware of this phenomenon with regards to musical instruments.




This could be why when listening to the Elektra amp and wondering why the (for a better word) thin sounding in the bass department, also since I was using my subs as well with the xover set at 80Hz. According to Ethan’s post that it is the harmonic of the bass instruments that we most commonly hear which are above the xover point.

Anyway food for thought…

Maybe but that wouldn't explain the meatiness from the rotel, or are you saying that the Rotel was bloating the 2nd harmonic but the Electra was a little more faithful to the fundamental, but I'm sure if what Ethan is saying is a characteristic of amplifiers or just the way we hear these notes from a stringed instrument.

Good points there Nobby...

I really don't know what it means, I was just looking for reasons why the Elektra had the "Thin" sound in the bass area since I was using my subs. Maybe it is that the Elektra rolls off early and the Rotel remains flat lower down in the frequency range.

Spearmint have you heard any news on the eta of the elektras?

Yeah the thin description is probably not apt as it was just 'flat' to the rest of the FR imo.

It might have something to do with the damping factor of the Elektra. If anything I would have called the Elektra more similar in sound to the Crown which has a massive damping factor. So perhaps they get to a level of control where they start sounding thin compared to other amps but in reality just have a helluva lot more hold at those low frequencies which by Ethan's account would make them more faithful to the fundamental.

These are all just suppositions mind you because it's hard to find any one single answer on how a high damping factor might help.

Some interesting stuff there Spearmint. I really think we need to keep in mind what we are doing here is making a relative comparison between the sound of two components rotel vs elektra. Which one is correct ?

What nobby is saying I've read/heard variations off before in relation to some high end amps where their sound is very clean sounding and when you compare them with some lower end amps what you hear infact is more distortion in say the lower regions giving the impression of more bass or full ness in other regions. But in the end it just could be different amps with a different emphasis. One with a fuller bass than the other.

have read on page three of this review where they compare the charecteristics of the mf A5 power amp to a krell for instance - same sort of stuff to what were talkign about here
http://www.musicalfidelity.com/mf/Download...urce?resId=3934

With the time I've had with the elektra some things you sure can't get around with it - it has a very clean sound but with all the dynamics. You can therefore listen to it at very low volumes or higher volume settings and at all times it does not sound in your face, you just get more dynamics coming off a very clean background. Listening to some lower end amps turning up the volume just makes it more and more unbearable in your face.

Another thing of note I am running all my speakers on large spearmint so probably would not see any cross over issues if thats what might also give that sort of effect.

I've noticed that too Alebonau. Even when the elektra goes loud, you never think "Gee, that's painfully loud". It's very easy to listen to.

Hey guys,

I should post an update, about a months up and I am absolutely thrilled with the elektra.

I started out looking for two things to improve earlier this year. Clarity through my centre channel and greater rear/surround presence and steering.

I can honestly say the elektra has gone a long way to giving me what I was looking for and some great improvements in both areas, no doubt with a bit of assistance from the better processing and 7.1 capability of my new HK 630 AVR and also putting in two new subsonic rears.

Honestly though vocals and dialogue is crystal clear from the centre channel. Presence from surrounds and rears and effects steering all around the room is greatly improved to the point of even making even just every day TV so much more enjoyable.

And the best part, with a 6month old baby in the house don't have to crank up the system anymore to really enjoy it given the better clarity and dynamics of the elektra.

Now I'm not sure the amp is fully run in. Arthur says to leave it on 24/7 and in a month its fully upto speed, but to be honest not sure because its so good out the box but can honestly not say its miles better or anything than day one I got it. Think there is a slight improvement in the detail but that could be just my imagination and if theres been improvements its incremental and at slow rate for me not to notice -or theres even better to come perhaps ?. Either way its still bloody good....

Guys honestly this elektra is probably melbournes/australias best kept secret - Check one out if you can. We are so lucky to have something like this available at our doorstep at the price it is. And as pointed out today by another fellow elektra owner the thing is now actually rated in its specs at 185wx7channels not the 150wx7 I mentioned in this thread, how much more underated does this thing have to get !

I am happy that you are pleased Al

I did a search but could not find this spec change Al. Pls could you direct me?, thanks

You'll find out norpus when you get yours. Its actually in the specs in the little manual that you get with it. I didn't notice till today when a fellow elektra owner brought it to my attention.

Specs are specs though !

Yours shouldn't be far away ?

End of next week Al. I went to have a listen to one on Sat. Very clean

great to hear norpus that its not far away !

Hi All

I have just bought the Elektra Theatre 7 after searching and lurking for a while but with this thread made the choice easier.

My set up will be
Denon 3805 and Denon 2910
Krix Symphonix
Krix Centrix Mk2
Krix KDX-M

Now i am after a subwoofer so please dont hold back with suggestions also good quality interconnects

alebonau i sent you a PM hope you dont mind

Congratulations on your purchase!!!!

And what is the verdict on how it performs?

Re-interconnects you can get some good ones from Cinema Cables.

Another 'team Elektra' member. Well done David!

Hi
Sorry I have not replied and thank you

I will be taking delivery of my speakers on Monday so it will be full steam a head setting every thing up

Got 'Carmen the Elektra' today.

Took me 3 hours to sort out the historical cable mess and rearranging things a bit nicer. I must say the black Elektra at the bottom of my rack sets the black 3805 and 3910 off very nicely - all with blue leds/displays hehe

Ist impression is wow - where did all that headroom come from! More dynamic range and detail is coming through on DVD A (Chicago, Fagan).

Al, I put on Masters and Commanders. (I have been playing it on the 3805 all week just comparing stuff). It just got another life! 106dB when the cannons go off in scene 4 on a setting of -10 on the 3805. Thats at least 4dB more than with the 3805 amps. So this is what 7x185W feels like - I like it!

I noticed 3-4dB extra gain on each channel when doing the manual calibration also - seems logical I suppose given the power supply is 4.6x bigger than the 3805's

Will try some 2-channel Diana Krall now and report back later....
Happy happy joy joy...

Excellent news Norpus, I am glad you notice the improvements of having a power amp the first instance you fire it up. Makes the purchase worthwhile IMO.

excellent excellent !!

great to see your enjoying it and hearing the pluses right from switch on !

you'll have to post a pick of the rack ! for us to see

Will do.
Interestingly, the elektra runs cooler than the 3805 (even though I don't use its amps anymore). Elektra runs very cool