Hi All,
I am the evil friend that Betsy mentioned, the one who is intending to drive every last bit of pleasure from her listening experiences, and instead transforming those into a set of analytical exercises!
Even though there is some truth to having introduced Betsy to the potential for quality musical reproduction, I'd much rather help her along that path without making her too crazy. Like most of us, she does seem to enjoy the chase. Nice of all of you who offered suggestions with that same intention.
I think that Betsy's rig sounds pretty darned good, and as David12 suggested, her 18 watt amp drives her 89db Paradigms very well if not quite to ear-bleed levels. If I had to guess what she hears in my rig (that _might_ be missing from hers) are some degree of micro details and spatial information. In my own experiences, a good match between amplifier power and loudspeaker efficiency (and impedance) can help that.
Therefore, I suggested that she consider speakers that are somewhat more efficient (say 92db from 89db) and have an impedance curve that is kinder to tube amps. Her Paradigms are excellent for the money, but their impedance curve is far from ideal for moderately powered tube amps.
So, I don't think she necessarily needs anything in the 100db range--although I do think she would like flea powered SETs--and that she might find a nice improvement in speakers designed for tube amps.
And Mrjstark... not sure how you gathered it from her posts, but you are correct; she's a gem.
Bob
I am the evil friend that Betsy mentioned, the one who is intending to drive every last bit of pleasure from her listening experiences, and instead transforming those into a set of analytical exercises!
Even though there is some truth to having introduced Betsy to the potential for quality musical reproduction, I'd much rather help her along that path without making her too crazy. Like most of us, she does seem to enjoy the chase. Nice of all of you who offered suggestions with that same intention.
I think that Betsy's rig sounds pretty darned good, and as David12 suggested, her 18 watt amp drives her 89db Paradigms very well if not quite to ear-bleed levels. If I had to guess what she hears in my rig (that _might_ be missing from hers) are some degree of micro details and spatial information. In my own experiences, a good match between amplifier power and loudspeaker efficiency (and impedance) can help that.
Therefore, I suggested that she consider speakers that are somewhat more efficient (say 92db from 89db) and have an impedance curve that is kinder to tube amps. Her Paradigms are excellent for the money, but their impedance curve is far from ideal for moderately powered tube amps.
So, I don't think she necessarily needs anything in the 100db range--although I do think she would like flea powered SETs--and that she might find a nice improvement in speakers designed for tube amps.
And Mrjstark... not sure how you gathered it from her posts, but you are correct; she's a gem.
Bob