SET--Cary/Sophia 300/845 bassed amps

You might be surprised at reviewers' systems.Especially the set-up,with things changing constantly.There are a few,but you usually have to read between the lines.If you can determine a persons'biases,then you can inflect that "tint" upon their observations.
I believe myself to be a hi frequecy maniac.If cymbals and brass can't retain their individual transients and harmonics-count me out.I must admit that I love the sound of cellos and tubas ,well recorded and reproduced.Percussion and tympani coming a distant second.

Well I picked up a Sophia 845,today. I listened at this member's house.---( The joys of buying from someone local) I was astounded by how much amp you get for the price. He has his system more optimised with the Concidence speakers.--I can't remember the model;beyond,it's the one with the ribon tweeter. Pretty special stuff.--- So much for how the amp performed at his house;it was delicious. I brought the amp home,plugged it in and,boy,---what a flop. I couldn't believe how bad it sounded. I got a receiver that sounds better.(True) So I used it to listen to the tv sound.---I have a coax digital out of my Sony dss box, so I just switch inputs on the dac. I'm thinking,what have I done? Well about 1 to 2 hrs latter it starts sounding pretty good.---Back to the cd player. Well, I guess the 70mi ride from the buyer's house must have jiggled the thing so bad,I guess. By 3 hrs latter I'm thinking this sounds pretty good. Not to bad for the price indeed. I still think it sounded better at the seller's house. AND, I think my CJ8's sound better here.--- This, for a multitude of reasons.--Room,set-up, synergy,and the differences in our equipment.---He also has a Cary 300b,which he says he likes just as well.----The Cary has had some work done on it, but I'll sure take his word on how good it must be. BTW; on my First Sound 2---The volume is set to 3 clicks from the 6 positiom.---So I guess power won't be a problem.

This is an 'edit-my-own post' This has been on for13 hrs straight. It has gotten so sweet. Maybe not for everybody; but if you're leaning this way (SET)--jump in,they are special.

Dear Geroge:

Big tubes like 845 and 300B ususally require 24 hours settle in time before all microphonics go away. This is more audible than the break in. Otherwise you get the sound unfocused during the first three hours after moving the big tube amp.

Cheers
Rich

Well here we are months have passed. I have kinda been all over the map since.---The Sophias never woked with my Montnas. Then I bought some Lowther horns.While these horns have their virtues in the midrange,they are lumpy as hell. The Sophia and the horns was match made in hell.----They seemed to excite the 'lumps'---Sold the Sophias.---I'm looking t'ward the sky and waiting for instructions.

Avguygeorge, try a David Berning Siegfried ZOTL Single-ended 300B or 811 amp.

It will really do what the Lowthers are looking for. Probably about $4500-$5k used, but worth every penny of it.

It eliminates all the output transformer related issues, and is transparent and dynamic and extended as hell.

My custom amp is based on the Siegfried circuit design, and I use it with Lowthers. Match made in heaven.

BTW, what Lowther horns do you have?