New Consonance Droplet

[Gav]

I have just had a new Consonance Droplet 5.0 delivered. I may have a problem.

After the unpacking (big and well packed carton) buetifull looking unit excellant build,

1 After Starting for the first time all seemed ok at arround 10 minutes I could here a sound with in the unit sounded like somthing rubbing on somthing that was spinning, I stopped the machine fidddled a bit put another CD in all seems ok again.

2 I had to go out after unit running for 1 hour, I left it running due to long run in period, so was running for 4 hours un attended , came back was still running ok but noticed it was very warm on the solid aluminuim top and also that their was a lot more volume from 1 speaker than the other, I had to shift the balannce just over 22 out of a possible 30 to even the volume up. I think there is a problem with the Droplet ( damn)

What do I do get onto the seller?

Very frustratting

[Daemon]

It's normal for the aluminium to get relatively warm (but not ouch hot), and it's normal for it to take a while to happen (there's alot of aluminium). It's not normal for it to run dead cold, it has a bit of power supply heat and valves which like being hot (and consequently don't work good until they are).

From memory, it's a close tolerance transport surround. If you have a CD with a slightly small hole it will sit over the spindle off true, and rub as it spins, making a rasping sound (I have one CD that does this grrrr). Even today some manufacturers can't get their holes right, especially some small USA pressers. If this is it the same CD will do it most of the time, and a different CD won't do it at all. If that was the problem, the only cure is to rip the dud CD and burn a copy. If that's not the problem the machine should go back; you can't live with a dodgy transport and it may well self destruct fairly quickly if this is the case.

Swap the leads on the back of the CD. If the balance bias swaps, it's the CD output stage and it needs serious fixing. If the balance bias doesn't swap left to right after swapping the leads on the CD output, then it's somewhere else in your system and the gods of HiFi hate you, because they've played the cruel but not uncommon joke of screwing up your system for you, just when you got a new toy. Pray it's not your Meridian gear that's ill as even Meridian hate repairing it.

Sorry to hear of your woes, as the droplet should be a nice machine.

[Gav]

Swap the leads on the back of the CD. If the balance bias swaps, it's the CD output stage and it needs serious fixing. If the balance bias doesn't swap left to right after swapping the leads on the CD output, then it's somewhere else in your system and the gods of HiFi hate you, because they've played the cruel but not uncommon joke of screwing up your system for you, just when you got a new toy. Pray it's not your Meridian gear that's ill as even Meridian hate repairing it.

Sorry to hear of your woes, as the droplet should be a nice machine.

[/b]

I sent an email to Greg Osborn his first thoughts about the ballance being out was that it sounds like one of the Sovtek 6H30 valves.

And he also confirmed What Daemon said abot the other problems.

Waiting to here back from Greg regaurding next move.

[Guest Mondiee]

Good luck with it Gav, l know how disappointing it can be to drop all those $$ on a new expensive component and end up with problems.

Cheers

[Gav]

Greg is sending me a new tube and Instructions to fit it so here is hoping that that is the problem & it will be in full swing by monday night

[coemaudio]

Goodluck with the replacement tubes, should fix the balance problem.

Do you know if the tubes are held in place by those tube braces? Because I remember in one of my amps when it arrived one of the tubes wasn't fully in the socket (probably due to transportation from overseas) and it caused one of channels to be very quiet compared to the other side. After inspection I noticed the tube wasn't in fully and just pushed it in, everything was fine after that.

[Critter]

Disappointing.

But I can assure you that when all is good and run-in (reckon on at least 80 hours before it is working close to optimally) you will be crazy about your purchase.

VERY fine CD player. I have the first one to come into the country.

[Gav]

Goodluck with the replacement tubes, should fix the balance problem.

Do you know if the tubes are held in place by those tube braces? Because I remember in one of my amps when it arrived one of the tubes wasn't fully in the socket (probably due to transportation from overseas) and it caused one of channels to be very quiet compared to the other side. After inspection I noticed the tube wasn't in fully and just pushed it in, everything was fine after that.

[/b]

To be honest I dont know how the valves are in place, but that sounds like a possability dosent it,

I havnt attempted to take alook inside yet as I thought I may as well continue with the running in proscess as I dont think the spare will arrive untill Monday, but since you menchioned that possibility it would be worth having a look ASAP

After looking at some Photos I notice that they are held on by tube Braces,

Disappointing.

But I can assure you that when all is good and run-in (reckon on at least 80 hours before it is working close to optimally) you will be crazy about your purchase.

VERY fine CD player. I have the first one to come into the country.

[/b]

May be yours did not have as far to travel by road as mine to be honest I thought of that straight away as I used to Drive Semis ounce apon a time and I would not think that 1000k by road would do Audio Eqipment any good.

What Amps/PreAmps/Speakers do you have critter

[Gav]

Disappointing.

But I can assure you that when all is good and run-in (reckon on at least 80 hours before it is working close to optimally) you will be crazy about your purchase.

VERY fine CD player. I have the first one to come into the country.

[/b]

How long have you had yours critter.

Bye the time the new Tube gets here it should run in nicely somehow I was under the impression that it was going to take arround 200 hours to run in properly, I think I read that on the 6 Moons review of the Droplet.

The looks of the Droplet are certainly growing on me I certainly dont want to have to send it back:biggrin:

[Gav]

Goodluck with the replacement tubes, should fix the balance problem.

Do you know if the tubes are held in place by those tube braces? Because I remember in one of my amps when it arrived one of the tubes wasn't fully in the socket (probably due to transportation from overseas) and it caused one of channels to be very quiet compared to the other side. After inspection I noticed the tube wasn't in fully and just pushed it in, everything was fine after that.

[/b]

I am over the moon at the moment, after thinking about your reply to my post I decided to give it a go, woohoo it is working, thanks for your input coemaudio.

Oh my god how awkward it was to get into the Droplet.

[Daemon]

With regard to the run in time. It should sound nice out of the box. It should change and sound better after about 50 hours. After 100 it should be well and truly run in and as good as it gets. Those tubes have a reputation for faster run in than most. My Shan didn't settle until about 150 hours. You'll find it always sounds better if you switch it on for 10 minutes before you play it too. The tubes warm up very fast, but until everything else warms up, the heat is being pulled from them very fast too, and there will be a thermal gradient along the tube. Once the thing has a bit of temp stability is should play smoother, richer and bassier (tube warmup usually has more effect on the lower registers than the upper, say middle mid down, while upper registers sweeten with temp but don't alter much in voice and presence).

Glad to hear it sorted. I should have thought of tube wiggling for you myself, sorry about that (I forget that when the tubes are hidden inside people aren't likely to wiggle them themselves first up).

[coemaudio]

I am over the moon at the moment, after thinking about your reply to my post I decided to give it a go, woohoo it is working, thanks for your input coemaudio.

Oh my god how awkward it was to get into the Droplet.

[/b]

Glad it worked out Gav!

When I had that happen to my tube amp, I was pissing my pants! The thought of sending my amp back overseas to get it repaired made my heart break :blush: But the good old tube wiggly method saved us both! haha

[Critter]

After about 80 hours you get the idea that yeah, this is getting there. It does getting better with more time, but incremental.

Consonance suggests 15 mins from memory before you listen to it properly and after about 45 mins it seems to be on top of its game. That's about the deal.

Mine runs into Atma-Sphere MP-3 pre-amp and Atma M60 monoblocks. Speakers are Zu Druids. Makes great music (for digital).

Good vinyl does whip the Droplet's ar$e though....as it should of course

[Drizt]

Good vinyl does whip the Droplet's ar$e though....as it should of course [/b]

You can keep your crackly vinyl... does nothing for me :thefinger:

[Critter]

Depends on whether you are listening to the music or the crackles

[Gav]

After about 80 hours you get the idea that yeah, this is getting there. It does getting better with more time, but incremental.

Consonance suggests 15 mins from memory before you listen to it properly and after about 45 mins it seems to be on top of its game. That's about the deal.

Mine runs into Atma-Sphere MP-3 pre-amp and Atma M60 monoblocks. Speakers are Zu Druids. Makes great music (for digital).

Good vinyl does whip the Droplet's ar$e though....as it should of course

[/b]

The Droplet is sounding better & better all the time, the detail and claritty is amazing.

[Drizt]

the crackles RUIN the music. :blum:

Depends on whether you are listening to the music or the crackles [/b]

[Rick]

Good vinyl does whip the Droplet's ar$e though....as it should of course[/b]

Whoah, that doesn't say much about the Droplet then.....

Rick.

[Drizt]

Whoah, that doesn't say much about the Droplet then.....

Rick. [/b]

hehe... If the droplet is indeed better than the Consonance Reference 2.2 then it must be pretty damn special

vinyl people, ill never understand them... listening to inferior sound quality.

[Keith_W]

Hmm, some familiar names on this forum

I don't think vinyl is inferior to CD. In many ways it is heaps better ... but that's a debate for another thread.

Anybody in Melbourne sells Droplet CD players? I wouldn't mind popping by to have a look.

[Drizt]

Hmm, some familiar names on this forum

I don't think vinyl is inferior to CD. In many ways it is heaps better ... but that's a debate for another thread.

Anybody in Melbourne sells Droplet CD players? I wouldn't mind popping by to have a look. [/b]

Greg Osborn sells consonance gear. Go have a listen there, and have a listen to some of his speakers while you are there.

[Gav]

I am getting a whyney hum from my speakers at higher volumes with the Droplet ( 65db to 99db) which I do not get using my old Marantz 6000ose.

For me it can only be the Droplet at fault as the Marantz operates perfectly.

Im very depressed at the moment

[Drizt]

I am getting a whyney hum from my speakers at higher volumes with the Droplet ( 65db to 99db) which I do non get using my old Marantz 6000ose.

For me it can only be the Droplet at fault as the Marant operates perfectly.

Im very depressed at the moment [/b]

How loud is the whine ? and what sort of noise is it, is there a rythme to the noise, is it a constant noise, is it always there, does it go away all together at other volumes (lower) ?

[Gav]

How loud is the whine ? and what sort of noise is it, is there a rythme to the noise, is it a constant noise, is it always there, does it go away all together at other volumes (lower) ?

[/b]

I have arranged to do a swap, Greg Osborn is going to send one he has that he knows is working, when that arrives I will give this Droplet to the Driver in exchange.

And I pray for the safe delivery of a Droplet that works on my system.

I hope there is not a compatabilaty problem with the rest of my system.

It is a constant whyne

It is not noticeable at low volume

It is not teribly loud it gets louder the higher the volume so genraly dont notice it until the music has stopped or during the short pauses between some music

[Drizt]

I have arranged to do a swap, Greg Osborn is going to send one he has that he knows is working, when that arrives I will give this Droplet to the Driver in exchange.

And I pray for the safe delivery of a Droplet that works on my system.

I hope there is not a compatabilaty problem with the rest of my system.

It is a constant whyne

It is not noticeable at low volume

It is not teribly loud it gets louder the higher the volume so genraly dont notice it until the music has stopped or during the short pauses between some music [/b]

Thats great that greg is doing a swap.... fingers crossed mate