Apogee vs Soundlab

I agree with all of the above, however with bigger OTLs the Sound Labs really come alive as far as dynamics and power are concerned and to my ears hold their own even with the big Apogees and since I trust Albert Porter's ears I would say that with the big VTLs they could easily do just as well.

You're right of course. It is the chain, not just the speakers. Interesting your unhappiness with VTL. Which amp was it? I am asking, because I might buy a pair of Siegfrieds and would value your opinion.

I does neither with the Atmas nor with the Zandens, which with their 60 watts drove these speakers extremely well. Must be further up the chain.

The Cat is fairly neutral, so I doubt it to be the culprit. The fault must lie elsewhere. I think Atmasphere is right. I have tried several highly reputable transistor amps on my SL speakers and they all sounded flat generally and nasty in the highs. Like the Quads this speaker needs a good tube amp to show off its mettle. Albert Porter in another thread reports of several, which sounded right to his experienced ears. Amongst those were the big VTLs and Atmas. I've settled with Atmas.I am extremely sensitive to highs not reproduced properly and am very happy with how the Atmas reproduce my music.

Chris,
this is purely personal experience and hence highly subjective:
I've owned Quads for decades and was never really satisfied with their high end. In the olden days I put Sequerra ribbons on top of the 63s to get the highs I liked and later the aCapella plasmas. I still have those, but feel no need to use them with my Sound Labs where I have the control rheostat at full tilt boogie.
Curious to hear what Ralph will say to your idea.
Wondering if your trouble couldn't also possibly be room dependent and if I, because of my age, should stop talking about the high end response of speakers, because my ears won't hear it no more anyway.......

Jafox, what make of selector switch did you use on your SL?