OTL amplifiers


Can anyone explain to me, in layman's terms, the advantages or disadvantages of OTL amplifiers? I have heard a lot about them, but have not listened to any to date. I am really a tube fan and want to reach tube nirvana and don't know if OTL is the way to go. Are they suitable for all types of music? Any information would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.
dfrigovt

Showing 1 response by gs5556

OTL's are usually more expensive, have many tubes - expensive tubes (high current triodes), consume a lot of power, may not perform the same with different speakers, and may not even work with some speakers. Those are, in very general terms without a specific make, the downsides (inconveniences, IMO). The huge advantage is the absence of the output tranformer which means the total harmonic distortion is almost non-existent. That's what gives 'em that incredible sound.

I disagree with tubegroover about a disadvantage being that they run hot. That' a characteristic of Class A operation, not the OTL topology.