Post by jon on Dec 18, 2020 16:30:42 GMT 12
Sad news, another great has gone!
I'll raise a glass to his memory!
RIP Tim de Paravicini
Post by michaelw on Dec 18, 2020 18:06:40 GMT 12
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 Post by Owen Y on Dec 18, 2020 19:43:58 GMT 12
Tim de Paravicini - The Passing of a True Giant in the Audio Industry
(See - Positive Feedback, 17 Dec '20) 
DarkLantern blog - darklanternforowen.wordpress.com
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Post by colinf on Dec 18, 2020 20:42:17 GMT 12
Oh bugger..I knew he was ill with cancer and wrote to the factory last year to give him my best wishes. Well he did smoke like a chimney...
I remember going to the factory in Stukeley Meadows industrial estate, Huntingdon, right next to the Cosworth factory, at that time building engines for F1. As he needed yet another drag we went outside and chatted about rotary engines, and that he thought they were a terrible design. The Cosworth garage door opposite was open and you could see engine bits and frames. One of the guys must have twigged that we were chatting about engines and looking in. The garage door then shut immediately with a harsh clang. Back inside we went, through the Jaguar and Sierra parts in the front room, Tannoy Gold 15”s playing softly in their rough chipboard boxes against the concrete wall. It was then I mentioned we upgraded the EAR 549 with Wondercaps. The eyes widened. The eyebrows raised and I’m sure I could detect steam coming from his forehead. (Or was it mine?) One of the technicians looked over and gave the unmistakable frown of ‘that was a mistake, run or take the punishment!’ I took the punishment, and stood firm on the fact that parts quality has a significant influence on the sound. He then admitted that nice equipment should have quality parts, such as studio equipment. There will only ever be one Tim. He was one of my ‘big 3’ inspirational designers. (Along with Roger Modjeski and William Z Johnson.) The engineering was, as he wanted it to be, like a Rolls Royce. R.I.P. Tim. AMR-iFi R&D
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Post by Citroen on Dec 18, 2020 20:56:52 GMT 12
The pictures do not do this amp justice, as its even more gorgeous in real life
 "Referenced from Tim de Paravicini’s admiration of Jaguar’s powerplant, the EAR V12 extracts much of the same philosophy. The design utilises six EL84s on each bank for a total of twelve, the sum of which is high performance with balance and grace." 
Cliff
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Post by michaelw on Dec 19, 2020 9:14:40 GMT 12
The inherent balance and smoothness of a V12 is near unbeatable.
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Post by Owen Y on Dec 19, 2020 9:54:45 GMT 12
See also - STEREOPHILE (18 Dec '20) - with a list of STEREOPHILE interviews & reviews of Tim de Paravacini's products.
DarkLantern blog - darklanternforowen.wordpress.com
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Post by Owen Y on Dec 19, 2020 10:24:28 GMT 12
Up till a few years ago, I listened to EAR 509s (or were they 549s?) driving Acoustats, periodically at a pals.
DarkLantern blog - darklanternforowen.wordpress.com
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Post by chilli on Dec 19, 2020 19:51:31 GMT 12
Great obituary in positive feedback.
I knew he was behind a lot of studio gear, even that water lily acoustics recording of fame. Amazing talent. And so glad he stood up for both sides and kept the fight for tubes going. He was active in several Facebook tube groups as well. I'm sure he chimed in just last week or not that long ago. So sad, he is gone. What a lifetime of achievements.
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Post by colinf on Dec 19, 2020 20:49:42 GMT 12
EAR 509: with two PL509s per monoblock (I had some of these in gunmetal grey like this)
 EAR 549: It has four PL509s each monoblock.  AMR-iFi R&D
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Connoisseur
 Post by RdM on Dec 19, 2020 21:50:34 GMT 12The cause of death was liver cancer. Unlikely from smoking tobacco ;=}!}) It's been wonderful catching, reading up on Stereophile reviews & interviews, and thanks for the pics in this thread. One comment that caught my eye, thinking about nicotine's (and caffeine's) positive benefits, was this;- For Tim is a true polymath, his mind seemingly capable of running at high speed along several sets of tracks simultaneously. From what I read, I imagine Tim would be equally passionate about deciding, defending his choices, discovery and love of tobacco, as in all his opinions. Good enough for Einstein too;-) _ Some section headlines: Science is conclusive: Tobacco increases work capacity Nicotine boosts attention, precision, motor skills, speed and memory Why are many scientists, athletes and artists smokers? Nicotine makes the brain faster and more precise Are smokers better drivers and pilots? Smoking gives the brain more stamina Is the smoke-free society an economic growth free society? _ Klaus K is a musician and journalist, commentator in Denmark. In summary, ... Well, just to point out that there are other viewpoints ! ;=})) "Peace on Earth to Men of Good Will" Merry Christmas !!!
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Post by sub on Dec 20, 2020 9:33:31 GMT 12The cause of death was liver cancer. Unlikely from smoking tobacco ;=}!}) 
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Post by RdM on Dec 20, 2020 17:29:50 GMT 12The cause of death was liver cancer. Unlikely from smoking tobacco ;=}!}) Apologies everyone for the over-long off-topic rant! (now trimmed) I was drinking at the time, which of course carries its own risks! ;=})
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Post by RdM on Dec 20, 2020 20:37:09 GMT 12It's been wonderful catching, reading up on Stereophile reviews & interviews, and thanks for the pics in this thread. A good summary of some resources at stereophile seems to be this but to me (firefox on linux) the Footnote 1: See stereophile.com/interviews/1107parav/index.html. link at the end of that seems broken. What do you think? You can get to it here, after diddling with it, but right or left clicking on it from the above article link doesn't seem to make it. I hesitate to write to them;- I have never interacted, but maybe somebody here who has can check and comment, if that concern seems valid? Cheers! RIP, TdP Still grateful to know more of your life and works through this internet medium!
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Post by michaelw on Dec 21, 2020 9:20:13 GMT 12
The link is broken on FF, CHrome, Edge.
Just leave a comment on that page ?
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Post by peter0c on Dec 26, 2020 11:03:51 GMT 12
RIP Tim, one of the best valve amplifier designers (most recently EAR) and absolutely the most disputatious. Obituary; www.stereophile.com/content/tim-de-paravacini-rip
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