@atmasphere Prior to the Snells I had Tekton Lores and Klipsch Fortes, both driven by the Korneff amp. Considering both are rated at 98db and 8 ohms, I was shocked when the Snells sounded better, even before I added a sub. I never imagined an amp of such low wattage could drive 90db bookshelf speakers with such authority. If this is distortion I’m hearing, it’s never sounded so good. I’ve had a number of professional musicians listen to my system and they are VERY impressed by how it sounds. I can’t wait for the Coincidents to arrive!
300B SET Amp driving Wilson Sabrinas
Interesting experience to share.
In my home system I have a pair of Wilson Sabrina speakers normally driven by a Modwright KWA 150SE (Special Edition). On a lark, I replaced the Modwright with an Elekit 8600S 300B amp (Lundahl output transformers and Mundorf Supreme output capacitors) I had in another system.
The surprise, not only did the Elekit drive the Sabrinas very well (improved clarity and tonality), but at the same volume with the same input level as the Modwright! Using a passive preamp, when I set the volume knob on the preamp to the same point for both the Modwright and the Elekit it results in essentially the same volume from the speakers.
Admittedly I listen at moderate levels (SPL rarely exceeds 70dBA), but the sensitivity of the Sabrinas is only 88 dB. Who would have thought!!
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I’m wondering if the Korneff amp delivers exceptionally high current and can handle lower impedances better than most other SET amps. I corresponded with Jeff Korneff many years ago and he indicated his amps are overbuilt with the highest quality transformers and power supplies. Makes me think not all SET amps are created equally…or all watts for that matter. |
Makes me think not all SET amps are created equally…or all watts for that matter. @mootsdude They aren't! It makes a big difference how the power tube is loaded. Some try to get more power, but really if you want the amp to handle more difficult loads, its better to sacrifice a bit of power so that when the speaker impedance dips down, there is in fact a bit of current available. But Watts are Watts and a sound level pressure meter always shows wut up in that regard. When it sounds loud but the meter is saying its not all that loud, that tells you distortion is making it seem loud. |
@mijostyn +10 I think a lot of the resilience over time is genetics, if relatively harmful exposure did occur at some point. I still have the same ears as when i was a young adult (nothing has gone south apparently). If we went by Agon standards, every musician i know should be deaf. Guys listening to Diana Krall @60db have no idea perhaps of the spl levels associated with live music. If Diana Krall sang a bit too loud in real life, they might just drop their blonde bombshell and run away back to their wives! 😁 I do have a fear of nearfield, headphones, in-ear monitors, etc (i don't use them), i.e., wondered if the fields produced in a smaller space around the ear causes more harm at even lower measured avg spl levels. It could be that spl levels are a lot more forgiving for the ear at more farfield distances, larger rooms, venues, etc.
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I find my system completely satisfying at 70 - 80 or below. Additionally safety standards are guidance and I would prefer to be no where near the limits, they easily could be too high as well as low. I would not want to put my hearing in jeopardy. Also, standards virtually never go up they go down as more studies come in and more folks with compromised hearing are sampled. I love the way some folks see conspiracies everywhere. Common sense… a worthwhile thing to have. |
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