How much power is the amp? I run Lamm ML2- 18 watts each, but speakers are nominally 104db at 1 meter. Never have a problem, I don’t listen at jet take off levels but call it 80db with some higher peaks, C weighted. Could also be other things- mistracking if a phono is involved for example.
SET Distortion at higher volumes?
If my SET amp is running out of power with my 96db speakers, does it create distortion that sounds like a record mistracking? I'm trying to track down an issue I'm having at anything over medium levels. I'm getting a high end distortion. Happens at high frequency or energy vocal and horn and piano passages.
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It would help to know a lot more specific details, like the amp in question, the speakers, how large the room, how loud you are trying to play the system, whether you tested the system with a different amp, etc. Just knowing that a speaker is rated as 96 db/w does not give enough detail on how suitable is the speaker for SET use. For example, the Wilson WP 6 had a quite high efficiency rating but it was very difficult to drive and was not suitable with many amps, particularly low and medium-powered tube amps. Is this a problem in both channels playing a mono source? Do you have a way to test the tubes or swap in a different set of tubes? Severe distortion from being pushed to hard could indeed sound like mis-tracking. But, long before you get to that point you should be able to hear the onset of such problems. First, SET amps will start to compress—the music will stop getting louder even as the volume is turned up. The sound will also become a bit muddled and lacking in clarity. Good luck on solving this problem. |
I am happy that you sorted it out. As with other posters here I was skeptical about assuming it’s the SET amplifier at the heart of the issue. I use an 8 watt SET amplifier paired with 94 db (14 ohm) speakers. The sonic strengths of this are the purity, naturalness and ease. Yet at the same time very lively, engaging with good dynamic contrast. Charles |
@dhcod glad to hear your found a problem and it wasn't a head scratcher. your amp distorting with 96dB speakers would have been, assuming non-concert volumes.
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Depending on what you have many lower priced amps have sheet metal cases that ring ,vs say a Ayon brand which is machined aluminum . your tubes need dampers Herbies tube dampers on All tubes especially power tubes vibrate and ring , if you tap your chassis and can hear it through your speakers you have bad microphonic issues start with the tube dampers. |
We can tolerate lots of even order tube generated harmonic distortion before sound becomes obviously distorted. Lots of digital pop and rock recordings are mastered using tube compressors or other tube signal processors that generat harmonic distortion in to make them sound fatter and more "analogue".
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