Digital Drive: REVIEW: Perpetual Technologies Mod P-3A -- Empirical Audio DAC Processors by blizzard Upsamplers, DACs, jitter, shakes and analogue withdrawals, this is it.

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Model:	Mod P-3A -- Empirical Audio
Category:	DAC Processors
Suggested Retail Price:	$500
Description:	Modification to The P-3A levell II
Manufacturer URL:	Perpetual Technologies
Manufacturer URL:	Perpetual Technologies

Review by blizzard ( A ) on June 11, 2003 at 03:12:12 IP Address: 12.89.85.152

Add Your Review for the Mod P-3A -- Empirical Audio

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Hi guys,

I don’t often post or give reviews. But, I felt I had to here.

I had sent my Perpetual P-3A Level II to Steve Nugent at Empirical Audio for his modifications and I just received it back. All I can say is that across the board I am very impressed.

I cannot emphasize enough how good his rework skills are. All of his solder joints are works of art. And some were pretty complicated. Good joints like these are very reliable. They will not fail any time soon. Plus the board comes back to you clean as new. He did not just do a high quality parts substitution either. He totally reengineered the analog output stage – really quite remarkable work.

It is obvious to me that he is technically very skilled. And, although this is very important to me, it is the sound that is the determining factor as to weather I am pleased or not. My opinion is that an Empirical Audio modded P-3A sounds amazing. The P-3A Lev II is much better than stock. But, some recordings sounded poor (harsh/grainy at times). Steve Nugent’s unit has been consistently good on everything I have listened to so far. The most noticeable improvement is that everything sounds real. Before, cymbals had a tendency to not ring true -- almost truncated. Now, they are perfect. This I find to be very important. It’s a gauge I use. Because when cymbals do not sound right, it kills that spatial 3-D feeling that you get when they come through perfect. Sibilance has always been the bane of my existence. I had recently gotten rid of most of it. But, some recordings still had some remnants. This mod has taken it to the best level yet. Sibilance is all but gone. Trumpets sound perfect. Saxes are amazing .……. I could go on and on. I mostly listen to female vocals. But, just for the hell of it I tried some old AC/DC and Queen CD’s which sounded horrible before. Wouldn’t you know it. They sound great now.

I’ve only been listening to this unit for a few days and obviously I am totally sold. I am officially a Steve Nugent fan. To all those Perpetual owners out there who like the sound of their equipment now, you would be amazed at how much more potential is still left in this unit.

Steve thanks a mil for bringing my P-3A up to this level. I could not have been more pleased.

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Product Weakness:	None
Product Strengths:	Detail, Image, True natural sound

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Associated Equipment for this Review:
Amplifier:	AKSA 55Nirvana
Preamplifier (or None if Integrated):	Aspen GK-1
Sources (CDP/Turntable):	Pioneer PD-65
Speakers:	Modified Dynaudio Gemini
Cables/Interconnects:	Silver Stealth IC's, Jenna Labs Dig
Music Used (Genre/Selections):	Across Board -- especially Female vocals
Type of Audition/Review:	Product Owner

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