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[Thomas W. Bethel]

I am thinking about a new monitor controller and the Avocet seem to be exactly what I am looking for but wanted to see what others thought. Thanks in advance!!!

[dietrich]

I have been close to pulling trigger myself on one. love the meter in the remote in new version

[pmx]

it's great. i didn't think gear that simple in use could be that sexy. you'll never regret it, i'm sure of it. easy and sorta affordable upgrade to surround as well. perfect combination with a manley backbone.

my only remark is that it lacks a digital out, but you'd only need one if you wish to do digital speaker processing which is the not-so-far-away future imho.

did i already mention it is great?

[BiigNiick]

The avocet looks very good.  I've been considering upgrading from my Bryston BP-25 for a while now.  I wanted more balanced inputs and surround capable/upgradable.  My short list was the avocet or a crookwood. I'd love to hear more from ME's that have one and how they like the Avocet.


 - nick

[John Scrip - MASSIVE Mastering]

Wouldn't give it up for anything (except the newer version...). 

[MaxC]

I love my Avocet! Though I have been considering pairing it with a different D/A. Has anyone chosen to do this?

[Bob Weston]

Love our Avocet. Would buy it all over again.

bob weston
chicago mastering

[Hermetech Mastering]

I have never used the Cranesong, but from a brief perusal it looks quite similar in function to a Crookwood C1 monitor controller, which is what I use.

[jdg]

avocet was one of the best monitor controllers i've ever had.
the ergonomics were perfect for me. (didn't like the DAC tho (JUST ME, DONT STARE))

[Thomas W. Bethel]

So I ordered one and it should be here next week. I can't wait. (but of course I have to)

I will let you know my feelings about the unit once I have had a chance to use it.

Thanks for all the great advice and comments

[Twerk]

Congrats! I had one here on loan for a while and it was fantastic. I was pretty bummed when I had to give it back.

[Thomas W. Bethel]

Congrats! I had one here on loan for a while and it was fantastic. I was pretty bummed when I had to give it back.

I can't wait.

BTW Your web site is VERY WELL DONE. Nice graphics and lots of info. Congratulations.

[Twerk]

I can't wait.

BTW Your web site is VERY WELL DONE. Nice graphics and lots of info. Congratulations.

Thanks! That's much appreciated.

[Thomas W. Bethel]

The Avocet came in yesterday. I unpacked it and turned it on and left it on for 1 hour before listening to it. My first impressions were very good. I A/B'ed it against the Benchmark DAC1 by hooking up the DAC-1 to the Avocet's analog inputs and matching levels. I feed both with a Z-Sytems detangler.  I left the Avocet on for 24 hours and then checked it again. Still the same good feeling. I then hooked up the Avocet and the Benchmark DAC-1's outputs to an A/B  home built balanced switch and fed the power amplifier directly out of the A/B switch. My feeling is that they are both very good DACs. The Avocet seems to be a bit better in the treble department and the bass sounds more controlled. The Benchmark sounds more "analog" and to my ears has a bigger bottom end and the Benchmark sounds a bit pulled back in the mid-range. The Avocet is a very nicely built unit and has a lot of flexibility.  The Benchmark also is very well built. The Benchmark has been our standard for years and still, IMHO, beat the pants off any other DAC when we bought it. I guess I am looking for the best unit for the money and the one that has the most flexibility for all the varied things we do on a daily basis.

More to come!!! as I get a chance to listen...

6-5-12

Did some mastering today and the unit works great. It does get very very warm and right now I have it on a rack shelf with hockey pucks underneath holding it up for air circulation (I can't rack mount it as I have not decided if I want to keep it or not) The flexibility of this unit is amazing and my hats off to Dave Hill for a fantastic piece of equipment. I put some vinyl though the analog inputs and was very pleased with the results (Micro Seiki turntable, Micro Seiki tone arm, Ortofon Cartridge and a PS AUDIO - GCPH Phono Preamp) I also passed though some audio from my Otari MTR-10 Tape deck and was equally impressed. So far I think it is a keeper but still want to do some more listening. I will post more later...

[Thomas W. Bethel]

We were having some distortion problems and I thought it might have been the Avocet. It turned out to be a problem in our Bryston IVB ST amplifier so we returned it to their USA repair depot and they fixed it (still under warranty) and got it back to us within 10 days. WOW. In the mean time I used our Bryston 3B from our other mastering room and put in its place a really nice Adcom GFA-535MkII (60 watts per channel) which sounded very good and very neutral. I picked up the Adcom from our local used hi-fi store.

After living with the Avocet for a while  I have to say I am very pleased with it and it is very functional for what we do.


Thanks for all the help and suggestions.