Anybody listen to Ohm Walsh speaker w/digital amp?

I powered my 100s with a Bel Canto integrated for a day. It worked very well, but the speakers were destined for a different room & system, including subwoofers and (eventually) tube amps. I suspect that this is the set up which I'll stick with for the forseeable future. The BelCanto with 100s full-range was great, but IMHO the tubes/subs arrangement just buries it.

Marty

Map,

There are a lot of combinations and permutations here, so in brief.

1) 100s run full range w/ss amps

I tried the Bel Canto (switching amp) and the TAD monoblocs (traditional class AB). Both worked well. The auditions were too brief for any definitive conclusions, but the TADs are warmer amps that lend a "tube like" sense of musicality. The BC sounded more neutral. Preferences for one combo vs. the other would fall under "personal taste". (I've used Quads with extended bass to describe the sound of 100s with neutral amps like the BC. Add a just a smidge of Vandy-like warmth/sweetness to the mix for the TADs.) Again, take this with a grain of salt - listening was brief and, in this case, in 2 different rooms.

With subs,

I never used the BC amp. The TADs worked very well in this configuration for a month, buefore i subbed in my Prima Luna monos with (eventually) KT66s. These add more "texture" and a greater sense of soundstage - especially between performers. This effect is evident on many - not all - recordings. It is dramatic on some. There are tracks on Lindsey Buckingham's "Under The Skin" on which this combo "lights up" the front of the room in a way I've never before experienced in my home. (I have heard MBLs manage this trick at a dealer's showroom.)

Other output tubes have been through the rotation and caused more problems than benefits in a subwoofer set-up. I will eventually work my ARC VT-130SE into the system for more perspective, but that's for another day. I'm just enjoying the PL w/KT66s too much to play around (for the moment).

Marty

BTW, to clarify on SS with subs. I actively cross at 80hz (like the Ohm subs) and level match the subs to the mains with the room analyzer and PEq in the SMS sub controller. This has the effect of "neutralizing" the warm character of the TAD amps. I'm not quite sure why, but the inherent warmth of the TADs seemed audible (though not dramatic, especially compared to full range tube amps) when the 100s are paired up full range, and -to my ear- virtually undetectable when the bass is crossed out in the fashion described above. I'm sure the "warmth" of the TADs is a frequency effect well above 80hz, but I guess the level matching and/or subwoofer output effectively masks the phenomenon.

Marty

I don't want to admit this because I'm sure that it qualifies as some sort of medical disorder:

AMPS

Cary 300B monos
Cary 805s
PL 7s
ARC VT 130SE
BC integrated
Patos Classic Integrated
PanCor Dyna Reissue pre&power

SPEAKERS

Sonus Faber Cremonas (and Minuettos)
Verity P/E
Merlin VSM SE(subsequently upgraded)
Maggie MMGs
Zingali 3 horns
Silverline Sonatinas and Preludes

and

Ohm 100s

SOURCES

Oracle/Graham/Transiguration or Lyra - (2 wands)
Acoustic Solid/Rega (modded)/Clearaudio
Transrotor/Rega/(modded)/Rega
Cary 303/300
QSonix 100 w/Benchmark DAC 1

Part of this is due to consolidation of 5 homes I've lived in over the last decade, but mostly it's just a diseased mind. Eventually, I'll seek treatment.

Marty

PS - As dramatic sounding as the MBL speakers are (and they are the most dramatic sounding speakers I've ever heard), the Ohms are far more neutral. I don't think I could live with MBLs as my only speaker - the colorations would drive me nuts. Maybe I'll just have to add a pair one day ;-)

I used the Pathos very briefly (< 1 hour) with the 100s running full range. It worked without complaint. I have no further basis for describing the pairing.

The Pathos sits in my living room with a Pathos Digit (matching small chassis cd player) and Sonus Faber Cremonas. The all Italian system sounds very nice but, in truth, is mostly furniture - and stylish furniture at that! The very musical performance is just a cherry on top.

If you folks really want to be jealous - my (beautiful) wife loves my listening room and thinks that multiple mono tube amps covering the floor make a great design statement. I must have been a saint in a previous life.

Marty

Finsup,

Sorry this reply is 2 years late, but I must have missed this thread on its last go round.

I'm of two minds on that question. The living room looks great and the gear makes a fashion statement that complements it. When used, the system sounds very, very good. However, music in that room is 99% generated by my wife or daughter playing piano, so the system gets very little use. The rational answer is "No, I wouldn't do it again". Too much money for the level of use. But, as noted above, I'm far from rational when it comes to this hobby.

Marty

BTW, the further irony is that none of my gear gets a ton of use these days. About 5 years ago, I got serious about playing guitar and practice time has eaten way into my listening time. Despite the inventory, most of my listening is now done outside the house, either in the car or MOG thru Bluetooth speakers on the road. C'est la vie.