Ninja Master Upgrade on Ref 1

[wesley63]

I am considering the Ninja Master Upgrade for my Ref 1s. Anyone here do this already? What was the process like? How do they sound?

I watched the X-LS procedure video on the site and was just laughing when he used a nifty right-angle screw driver to get the old crossover out of the cabinet. Looks like I'll be going tool shopping.

Jim

[droht]

Browse the "Upgrade Central" forum at av123 and you'll find some good stuff. Just don't try to post any questions. :)

Here are a couple of links:

LINK1

LINK2

[The Ninja]

Laughing good or laughing lame? :poke:

I am considering the Ninja Master Upgrade for my Ref 1s. Anyone here do this already? What was the process like? How do they sound?

I watched the X-LS procedure video on the site and was just laughing when he used a nifty right-angle screw driver to get the old crossover out of the cabinet. Looks like I'll be going tool shopping.

Jim

[The Ninja]

Oh, there is a bunch of comments about the Ref 1's in our testimonial section.

[Kevin_Wadsworth]

I assume laughing because he didn't have such a tool. yo uonly need the right-angle screwdriver occasionally in life, but when you need it nothing else will do.

Semi-off-topic: I remeber a discussion on the av123 forum about an upcoming upgrade for the Ref100. Does that exist yet?

[woofersus]

I heard those very Ref 1's in the links to the av123 upgrade central forum side by side with some stock ones, and let me tell you, the Ninja Master versions are a totally different animal. This isn't just component upgrades, it's a new design. The difference isn't subtle. Buying a pair to upgrade can be a tough question because the combined cost puts them up against some stiff competition, but with used Ref 1's going for $400 or even less these days, I'd lean towards calling it a bargain.

[The Ninja]

Indeed...

The Ref 100 and Ref 2 upgrades... Danny is working on new circuit designs for both right now :D

The Ref 3 network is done but I've not heard it yet as UPS removed the Ref 3's from the pallet they were shipped on and of course they both got damaged. Working on a resolution now.

I assume laughing because he didn't have such a tool. yo uonly need the right-angle screwdriver occasionally in life, but when you need it nothing else will do.

Semi-off-topic: I remeber a discussion on the av123 forum about an upcoming upgrade for the Ref100. Does that exist yet?

[wesley63]

Laughing good or laughing lame? :poke:

Laughing because last night (before watching the video) I was looking at the Ref 1s wondering where the existing crossover is attached and how the heck I was going to get my hands in there to get at it. It seemed an insurmountable problem. But it is just a matter of having the right tool for the job, which I never have. (No sex jokes here please. :p)

Jim

[The Ninja]

Ah, got ya :) That little Skil angle driver is killer. I use it daily. Add in the extendo-thingy and there isn't a screw you can't reach (I know this because I just completely disassembled a clothes washer and holy crap - some of those screws are clearly not meant to be reached by humans).

Laughing because last night (before watching the video) I was looking at the Ref 1s wondering where the existing crossover is attached and how the heck I was going to get my hands in there to get at it. It seemed an insurmountable problem. But it is just a matter of having the right tool for the job, which I never have. (No sex jokes here please. :p)

Jim

[wesley63]

Okay, I just ordered the Ninja Master Ref 1 upgrade with the copper connectors. Ninja, build me a couple of good ones.

Jim

[droht]

Ah, got ya :) That little Skil angle driver is killer. I use it daily. Add in the extendo-thingy and there isn't a screw you can't reach (I know this because I just completely disassembled a clothes washer and holy crap - some of those screws are clearly not meant to be reached by humans).

Ninja, question on the upgrades: Is someone who is a happy stock Ref1 owner likely to hear the Ninja'd 1s and say "Damn, those are the best Ref1s I have ever heard" or are they likely to say "Those speakers sound good; kind like Ref1s, but a lot better". Or more like 'Those speakers sound great. What are they?".

I'd love to improve my 1s, but not sure I want to dramatically change them.

[uw69]

I heard those very Ref 1's in the links to the av123 upgrade central forum side by side with some stock ones, and let me tell you, the Ninja Master versions are a totally different animal. This isn't just component upgrades, it's a new design. The difference isn't subtle. Buying a pair to upgrade can be a tough question because the combined cost puts them up against some stiff competition, but with used Ref 1's going for $400 or even less these days, I'd lean towards calling it a bargain.

MLS has a damaged pair of ref 1's for $99, but they are for local pickup only. I'd love to pick up a cheap damaged pair and do the Ninja master upgrade!

[emac]

Ninja, question on the upgrades: Is someone who is a happy stock Ref1 owner likely to hear the Ninja'd 1s and say "Damn, those are the best Ref1s I have ever heard" or are they likely to say "Those speakers sound good; kind like Ref1s, but a lot better". Or more like 'Those speakers sound great. What are they?".

I'd love to improve my 1s, but not sure I want to dramatically change them.

Since the Refs still have the same drivers, they retain much of the characteristic sound but address the weaknesses of the stock XO. So, problems like being a bit too bright and detail oriented are addressed w/ the new XO. Not many people prefer that type of sound, but if you do, then there isn't much of a point in upgrading.

My take after the upgrades was "kind of like the Refs, but a lot better".

[rsa]

Ah, got ya :) That little Skil angle driver is killer.

The Skil 2336-02?

[rsa]

MLS has a damaged pair...

:eek: :)

He's selling a singleton for $99, not a pair. :D