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Topic: Altmann Tera Player (and light model) (Read 16017 times) previous topic - next topic
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Altmann Tera Player (and light model)

With all of the insanity regarding this thing over at head-fi (and multiple deleted threads) has anybody here actually listened to or measured this thing to figure out exactly why people are willing to drop in excess of 3000 euros on it?

Altmann Tera Player (and light model)

Reply #1 –
Quote from: Mach-X on
With all of the insanity regarding this thing over at head-fi (and multiple deleted threads) has anybody here actually listened to or measured this thing to figure out exactly why people are willing to drop in excess of 3000 euros on it?
Why test it? What do you expect or hope to see? Do you really think people buy this thing because it performs well technically? I guess most people have better things to do then to shell out 3000$ to test a device which is meant to be a cheap money-grab from gullible placebophiles. I also already reviewed this device some years ago. I even mentioned RMAA in there, since I have seen some graphs on head-fi, but I'm too lazy to look for them now, and I doubt they will be enlightening, anyway. You might realize that review was tongue-in-cheek, anyway.

Looking at how much thought went into the usability ergonomics of this thing I can prety much imagine how much thought went into designing the electronics. Don't be fooled by the audiophile premise that something which sounds great must be ugly and inconvenient, or vice versa. You're also implying that people who buy this device do this because of rational thought, and are not just placebophiles with excess cash.
It's only audiophile if it's inconvenient.

Altmann Tera Player (and light model)

Reply #2 –
Quote from: Mach-X on
[dick]head-fi


FTFY. no offence to anyone here who is a member... infact i did register an account myself.  i'm sure there are some sensible people on there but i struggle to last more than 5 minutes before something infuriates me. i remember the last foobar related thread i read there was proclaiming noticeable differences in sound when comparing a beta version to a final. 

Altmann Tera Player (and light model)

Reply #3 –
Quote from: Mach-X on
With all of the insanity regarding this thing over at head-fi (and multiple deleted threads) has anybody here actually listened to or measured this thing to figure out exactly why people are willing to drop in excess of 3000 euros on it?



Three words: Talk Is Cheap.

Remember, we're talking internet aliases posting anonymously, not line items in charge account statements.

Altmann Tera Player (and light model)

Reply #4 –
I spoke with Charles back in 2012 and wished I had gone ahead and bought the Tera then (800 euros), but I chickened out in favour of conventional hype and bought the AK120 instead, have enjoyed this player, but I yearn for better sq.  Please can someone explain their pleasure with the Tera.  Have been told that the ak240 and the Chord Hugo is non fatiguing just like the Tera.  However the Tera is it seems the 'Holy Grail' that you would eventually put in a time capsule for future generations.

Please can you help and make me decide.  The longer the better reply would be great.  I have final audio iem 7 heaven - would they be compatible.

regards

Geekhappy

Altmann Tera Player (and light model)

Reply #5 –
Don't buy it. Snake oil.

That was easy.

Altmann Tera Player (and light model)

Reply #6 –
Quote from: andy o on
Don't buy it. Snake oil.

That was easy.


People who say that it costs nothing extra to chase the high resolution will-o-the-wisp need to read that post of a naive readers earnest concerns and possible expenses.

Altmann Tera Player (and light model)

Reply #7 –
I do own Tera and it amazes me every single day with its simple use, immediate response, and rugged infallible design. 

I hope to order a second as a backup... Tera might be my single most prized possession.  I'm serious!


Let Rock Reign !!!
 

Altmann Tera Player (and light model)

Reply #8 –
16-bit DAC that does not reconstruct the waveform properly, only support for WAV, Porta Pros as recommended headphones ...
I don't understand it.
"I hear it when I see it."

Altmann Tera Player (and light model)

Reply #9 –
The website is a mess also. It doesn't look very... Professional.

Altmann Tera Player (and light model)

Reply #10 –
I couldn't afford a Tera Player of my own, but as homage to Mr. Altmann's earlier "BYOB" aesthetic of bare or minimally-finished wood construction (do a search for "Altmann BYOB"), I've come up with my own BYOB-inspired portable music player. For maximum flexibility, I used a purely gravity-based means of affixing the player to the wooden base. Where a display-less version is desired, electrical tape may be applied. If I were to put it into production, I feel I could offer my player to the audiophile community for under $1500, complete with the bespoke resin enclosure as depicted.

Altmann Tera Player (and light model)

Reply #11 –
Quote from: geekhappy on
I spoke with Charles back in 2012 and wished I had gone ahead and bought the Tera then (800 euros), but I chickened out in favour of conventional hype and bought the AK120 instead, have enjoyed this player, but I yearn for better sq.  Please can someone explain their pleasure with the Tera.  Have been told that the ak240 and the Chord Hugo is non fatiguing just like the Tera.  However the Tera is it seems the 'Holy Grail' that you would eventually put in a time capsule for future generations.

Please can you help and make me decide.  The longer the better reply would be great.  I have final audio iem 7 heaven - would they be compatible.

regards

Geekhappy


I can only say that in is a niche product.  The lack of a screen is an advantage to me as I ski/ skateboard/ everything but swim with it.  I change artists and albums while wearing mittens in 15 degree F blizzards while doing 30 mph down the slope.  Im no expert, but to me the fidelity isn't so much just clearer, as it is simply "real" creating space for listening.  Few dedicated home systems Ive heard did this, and my only real portable comparison would be the AK100 -- which wasn't even fair.  The desktop 4 piece system I tried wasn't an equal.  None of my iStuff seems tolerable either, including the laptop.  I listen to Tera for 5+ hour stretches without fatigue routinely, and find every other source Ive tried annoying in about  10 minutes. 

I realize that this might not constitute a solid sound review, and it should not constitute more than just an enthusiast's endorsement either.  As some people have expressed an interest in the Tera I simply would like to assure those wanting to make such a venture that there are many, many people who love it.  Some call it snake oil and others mention placebo effect.  Ok, I got it...  Im still happy!!!

It is a big step financially, and the circus surrounding Tera adds even more confusion.  For those willing to embrace its obvious screen, impedance and .wav peculiarities however, you won't find a single naysayer.

I use 1964Ears Quads for a great sound, and amp with a Portaphile 627x when in the car, airplane, or other headphones.  If one thinks of Tera as primarily a kick butt DAC which can be used with Some headphones without an amp it will be sure to please.  My Quads absolutely rock straight up, but adding the $500 amp is a nice touch still.

I have had the chance to see mine disassembled and it is built like a Panzer, meant to last.  I absolutely abuse mine and where Ive cracked 3 cell phones and trade laptops every other year I see Tera lasting decades.  I only fear water, and beer spills...  and broken bones while distracted by the holographic soundstage.  Do not use a chainsaw while cranking Tera!  It has an enchanting effect which I've only experienced in the past on $50,000 digital home units and turntables.  The portability of such immersing and fatigue-less sound made it seem a smart purchase to me.  I am not really a hobbyist here, and as such I cannot compare Tera to the AK240 which seems the logical equal, albeit minus the obvious practicality of the AK240.  I would welcome the chance to compare other options, but simply done care enough.

If anyone does ask though, I give an unabashed 2 thumbs up to Tera.  For anyone who cares enough to be looking through these forums instead of just buying Beats an actual audition would definitely leave a positive impression with price versus screen being the limitation. 

So there's my explanation of this niche product, but I'd add that I have an additional fascination.  How many notable products are the fruit of just one inventor?  While the corporate prowess of the US, China, Korea and Japan may always garner the big bucks, Tera is the product of a single individual, and it might still be the buzz in ten years!  Isn't it worth finding one for a listen just to even savor in amazement that one guy made such a thing that could even be compared, much less surpass giants like Sony and AK?



Let Rock Reign !!!

Altmann Tera Player (and light model)

Reply #12 –
With your first post i was not sure someone only registered to try some kind of joke but now i wonder...
Is troll-adiposity coming from feederism?
With 24bit music you can listen to silence much louder!

Altmann Tera Player (and light model)

Reply #13 –
Name of the user also...

Anyway, it may work, it may play your files and all, but there's no way that it's worth that price. No matter how good the intentions of the creator are, there's just no way.

Altmann Tera Player (and light model)

Reply #14 –
Quote from: lovemyTera on
It is a big step financially, and the circus surrounding Tera adds even more confusion.  For those willing to embrace its obvious screen, impedance and .wav peculiarities however, you won't find a single naysayer.
See my signature.

Quote from: lovemyTera on
I use 1964Ears Quads for a great sound, and amp with a Portaphile 627x when in the car, airplane, or other headphones.  If one thinks of Tera as primarily a kick butt DAC which can be used with Some headphones without an amp it will be sure to please.  My Quads absolutely rock straight up, but adding the $500 amp is a nice touch still.
A "DAC" which for some reason uses a microprocessor, even though it has no screen, and only supports WAV. A "DAC" which uses lo-fi R2R technology. A "DAC" which needs an extra amp to fix its broken output impedance. Sounds like a sound investment.

Quote from: lovemyTera on
It has an enchanting effect which I've only experienced in the past on $50,000 digital home units and turntables.
That much was obvious. Maybe I should add "and expensive" to my signature, but who am I to tell people what they are allowed to waste their money on.

Quote from: lovemyTera on
So there's my explanation of this niche product, but I'd add that I have an additional fascination.  How many notable products are the fruit of just one inventor?
Agreed. It's still not technicaly sound, though. If the Altman guy was honest he'd say that this was a hobby project of his, and he tried out how to build an audio player by himself, which is no small feat. Claiming that this thing is in any way high-fidelity is ludicrous.
It's only audiophile if it's inconvenient.

Altmann Tera Player (and light model)

Reply #15 –
Quote from: Aldem on
Name of the user also...

Anyway, it may work, it may play your files and all, but there's no way that it's worth that price. No matter how good the intentions of the creator are, there's just no way.



I must admit that the MSRP is so high it makes the very feasibility to purchase impossible.  I got mine at the 840 Euro price and frankly I think that was a very good value.  This little nugget Rocks a microsecond after inserting the card or changing songs/ artists. The hassle is in loading cards (which I hate) but the actual use is more simple than using  a toaster.  If one compares that 840 E to the real cost of iPhones and IRiver devices it isn't so far out, and as I've mentioned before this is a 10 year fix for me.
Let Rock Reign !!!

Altmann Tera Player (and light model)

Reply #16 –
to Kohlrabi...

even before hearing Tera I was drawn to the screenless UI.  IT WORKS!!!  music pops out in a microsecond after initiation and it never jams and hangs up.  There are no firmware updates.  Those issues are all significant to me, but don't exist with Tera.  It is the goto device when reliability matters and results count.  I just can't imagine dorking with my iPhone while skiing or heavy landscaping, etc.  The downside is that Teras cards must be preloaded with some diligence.  Once this is done, it is the most simple and convenient process I can imagine... this leaves me free to just enjoy music effortlessly.
Let Rock Reign !!!

Altmann Tera Player (and light model)

Reply #17 –
My 192 GB Galaxy S3 also plays the music exactly the moment I hit play and it never hang up as long as I own it (8 months...)

Altmann Tera Player (and light model)

Reply #18 –
The player refuses to play MP3 but the creator tells on his HP to convert the MP3s to wav before loading it to the player. 

Altmann Tera Player (and light model)

Reply #19 –
Quote from: lovemyTera on
even before hearing Tera I was drawn to the screenless UI.  IT WORKS!!!  music pops out in a microsecond after initiation and it never jams and hangs up.  There are no firmware updates.  Those issues are all significant to me, but don't exist with Tera.  It is the goto device when reliability matters and results count.  I just can't imagine dorking with my iPhone while skiing or heavy landscaping, etc.
I can create a huge playlist and browse through it without looking at my Clip+, too. I don't see why you want to sell a deficiency as an advantage. I never understood the appeal of the iPod Shuffle, either, except for its size, but the Tera isn't even small and lightweight.
It's only audiophile if it's inconvenient.

Altmann Tera Player (and light model)

Reply #20 –
Quote from: Kohlrabi on
I never understood the appeal of the iPod Shuffle, either, except for its size, but the Tera isn't even small and lightweight.


Looks to me like your correspondent didn't survey the market of portable digital music players very well, as he seems to think one must spend a lot of money to get standard features in far more inexpensive, and just as good sounding players.

What to say about someone who has built their entire online persona around an overpriced toy?

Altmann Tera Player (and light model)

Reply #21 –
Yep,my library is a mess of .wav files... And up converting  mp3 back to .wav = bizzare.  All true!

Of portables the AK100,, Galaxy, iStuff, laptops even with the Portaphile 627x all give me cranial throbinosis and now immediately annoy me.  Actually, come to think of it, I was happier not knowing how Tera sounds!

The stated price today is totally in Left Field

Any 'standard features' are essentially a work around on the R2R antique and space inside.

The buttons though are far different than Shuffle... I'm beyond confident You could use this on the moon, sky diving, or climbing Everest. And I Wish I could verify these claims one day, but use mine often while engaged in  activities. It is truly a feel-only / blind compatible device that never need leave my pocket.  For such convenience there is actually a serious enhancement of sound quality with the quirky details and price being your limitations.

The thread starter asked what the deal was... I Didn't pay $3000 and still can't.  Despite some .wav and file management quirks I totally love mine, and would drop another $1000 on a backup.  I think many people wonder about this little guy and I just hoped anyone whos interested learns that it isn't a joke at all.  It isn't for everyone though. As mentioned earlier, if you're happy with what you've got , stick with it.  Tera adds a perspective of space that is impossible to define and perhaps goes unnoticed for a good while; I'm completely hooked now and have no need to convince the otherwise happy.  Still, someone asked what anybody knew and I'm glad to relate.


Let Rock Reign !!!

Altmann Tera Player (and light model)

Reply #22 –
Now that are enough times reported about its sound i vote for the Recycler! Every single post.
Is troll-adiposity coming from feederism?
With 24bit music you can listen to silence much louder!

Altmann Tera Player (and light model)

Reply #23 –
Quote from: lovemyTera on
Tera adds a perspective of space that is impossible to define and perhaps goes unnoticed for a good while;


So until you realised there was absolutely no difference and had to try to justify your expensive purchase?

Altmann Tera Player (and light model)

Reply #24 –
Quote from: probedb on
Quote from: lovemyTera on
Tera adds a perspective of space that is impossible to define and perhaps goes unnoticed for a good while;


So until you realised there was absolutely no difference and had to try to justify your expensive purchase?


In sampling fine wine, I fine less difference go up higher in quality than once accustomed to something expensive and then subjected to past favorites.  With sound qualities perhaps the differences are equally subtle...  My expertise goes no further than this.  The thread starter asked, and I responded to the best of my ability.  I'm really happy with Tera -- cheers!
Let Rock Reign !!!