Borg,
You have gotten good suggestions. Jeff Day owns these speakers and did a long and extensive review of the Sophia Electric 3oob SET amp using this speaker and was overjoyed with the combination.The review is at Positive Feedback Online.He preferred this 8 watt amp to his push-pull Leben amplifier driving the Tannoys,YMMV. I f these are truthfully 98 db sensitive speakers then a 'good' SET amplifier should have no problems at all(as Jeff Day pointed out).I use an 8 watt SET to drive 94db speakers with zero problems and prefer it to my 100 watt UL (60 watt triode) push-pull class AB amplifier.Hope you can get the chance to hear it with a good SET amp.
Good Luck, |
Borg,
Your plan is rational.I admit a bias toward SET amps as compared to other genres I`ve heard/tried they sound the most realistic and true to live music. Obviously we all hear things differently and choose accordingly. You may find that OTL or push-pull tubes(perhaps solid state or class D) is better for your taste.I wish you much sucess in your amplifier search, your ears will lead the way.
Regards, |
I discovered the Harvey Rosenberg site about 3 1/2 years ago and also Arthur Salvatore`s "High End Audio site. That was my introduction(prior to that it was SS amps then PP pentode type tube amps in my system) to SET amplifiers. Well there`s no going back for me, with the right speakers you can be happy the rest of your music loving life.I believe I could also be happy with a DHT tube class A push-pull of low-moderate power also. I find DHT tubes to be special and doubt if I`d ever return to pentode-tetrode tubes again.To my ears DHT tubes offer the 'breath of life' and presence factor that others don`t quite match IMO.Borg, it does`nt surprise me that you preferred the SET Yamamoto amp over your Audio Research VT-100 amplifier,I understand completely.
Regards, |
Borg, I`ve heard the larger Viva SET amps and they were fanstastic! the Solista can`t be that much different. This amp should just sing with your Tannoys, good choice.High quality 845 tube SET,I like this move.
Regards, |
Borg,
Phaelon makes a good point. If the MK II version is that much improved(transformer quality is crucial for great SET sound) I`d exercise some patience and get the better Solista amp. Your speakers deserve the best quality amp you can afford.My SET has double C-Core transformers custom built in japan.I believe that plays a 'major' role in the superb sound they make.I`d not compromise transformer or power supply quality in an SET amplifier.
Regards, |
Everyone has an opinion about what amplifier type is better than others.You could find many sucessful and talented builders of SET amplifiers who would disagree with atamaphere`s viewpoint and in fact make a very compelling case opposite of his.Borg,you`ve used SET amps and obviously came to your own conclusions based on actual listening experiences.SET amps have flaws and so do OTL, push-pull tube and any other amp topology you can mention.
I believe a variety of amps could work well with the Tannoys,Borg you like SET amps for one very good reason,they sound fantastic and really involved you with your music.I`ve heard OTL amps,they were good, but I find SET more realistic and natural to my ears. Others will hear things differently and that`s to be expected.
Borg, I hope you can hear the Atmasphere OTL amp and a good PP tube amp and compare to a good SET amp. I don`t believe the Viva Solista is a potential mistake at all. Listening will settle this as it always does.
Charles, |
Atmasphere,
This Tannoy is 98 db at 1 watt-8ohms,Reviewer Jeff Day(PFO) said his 8 watt SET drove this speaker with complete control(better than his push-pull Leben)and was the best sound ever in his personal reference system.He`s had this combo for nearly 2 years and his feelings have`nt changed.
My speaker is 94 db(non horn speaker) and my SET is 8 watts 300b mono blocks and replaced my 100 watt(UL)- 60 watt(triode)PP mono blocks amplifier. Why? it out performed the higher power amplifier.I really hope Borg compares the Viva with one of your amplifiers and shares his impressions.He may or may not like your OTL better. There`s only one way to know for sure.I still recall CES 2010, best room I heard there was the Viva 845 amp driving Trenner-FriedL Box speaker(98 db 1 W 8 ohms(it is`nt a horn speaker). The music reproductin was very emotional,realistic, totally extraordinary!
Regards, |
Bvdiman,
You are right in saying so much depends on what you listen to or who`s doing the listening. This is why there`ll always be different opinons for just about anything audio.Your outcome is a bit different from Jeff Day in that he found no practical limitations with any genre of music.His experiences are no more(or less) valid than yours.We all agree on this point, Borg ideally should try the various amplifier choices with his speakers.A larger SS amp(or large PP tube) may likely exceed the SET in bass dominant types of music(no amp does everything the best).Overall and for the vast majority of music I`ll take the SET.IMO it will provide more often than not, better tone,presence, connect with greater emotion and provide the hard to match realism and organic-natural presentation.I once own the highly regarded Symphonic Line (SS amp).It did`nt come close to what `i`ve heard good SET amps provide in pure musical involvement and natural character.
For me this has more long term value and musical satisfaction than ultimate bass or very high volume attributes.Obviously this is strictly personal choice and there`re many preferences and priorities among us. This thread has provided good and interesting discussion.
Regards, |
Dover,
I`m not "completely wrong" about SS amps as I was expresing'my' opinion based on listening experiences over the years. My viewpoint has nothing to do with your individual results. I could`nt have made it more clear that we will all have difference preferences and thus choose components that reflect that.
If a 500 watt SS amplifier suited your needs best then you made the right choice for your system. We obviously hear differently and move in very different directions in developing our audio systems,what`s wrong with that?
I much prefer lower power SET and you prefer high power solid state. As I said in an earlier post, this is a good discussion. It does`nt imply we`ll all be in agreement.SET amplifiers have given me more realism, musical joy,satisfaction and involvement then any other amplifier type I`ve heard. If your SS amplifier does the same for you,then congratulations and continued very happy and blissful listening to your music.
Regards, |
Maril555,
My speaker is the Coincident Total Eclipse not the Pure Reference.The match between the Frankenstein MK II and these speakers is devine. Prior to the Frankenstein my amplifier was the Bella Extreme(Response Audio) custom built by Bill Baker.It is 100 watt ultra linear and 60 watt triode,class AB push-pull.This was his V-Cap and Bybee versionand perhaps one of the best PP amps I`ve ever heard along with a friend`s VAC Phi 300.1 mono blocks.The Frankenstein from the very first day was better in all the areas important to me than the excellent Bella amp.In the more than three years of ownership my admiration has only grown.
I`ve heard numerous PP amps,VTL,ARC VT-100, Quicksilver and Manley.I liked Bill`s amp more than those(although they are good).
Maril555, your experience is what it is,what else can I say? The Frankenstein did`nt impress you and you moved on. All I can say is its been wonderful(an understatement) for me.Some will like it and others won`t,this is true for every single component available.For example, some love your Lamms and others do not(so what,you like them)When I express my opinion that`s all it is, I don`t make universal proclamations. I`m just sharing my own experiences.I `m sure there`re other components you adore that other listeners may find totally subpar,that`s the way it goes.Would their impressions change your opinion? The truth is we like what we like, it`s all personal choice.
Regards, |
Hi Bvdiman,
Thanks for your addition thoughts.
I understand the concept of'amplifier headroom' and power reserve. At one time I was quite an advocate of'one can never have too much power'. We do change and evolve and fomerly held opinions are changed.For me, generally the simpler a component is(with high part and built quality) the more I seem to like them(there`re always exceptions).I just like the purity and natural sound of simple circuit,lower power SET.I certainly respect those with alternative solutions.
Regards,
Charles, |
Jwm,
Thanks for your very kind comments about my system.My experience is the polar opposite of what Maril555 described.I except his experience as real and Lamm was the better choice for him.I`m glad it worked out.Jwm has spent much time enjoying music listening in my home and I really enjoy his superb all VAC system in his home.
Regards, |
Maril555,
I`d agree with your last statement,I probably would`nt like what you do,nor you what I like.I`m ecstatic with the sound of my system and I hope the same is true for you with your system.
Regards, |
Borg,
Nothing at all to get grumpy over.It`s a bit amusing when someone suggests I try PP amps when I used those(several) for 15 years prior to SET awareness just over 3 years ago.Borg I like your list of truths.
Regards, |
Atamasphere,
I can`t argue with your "so really its more a matter of it`s good enough". Yes that`s true I have`nt experienced 'everything' nor have you or anyone else, it is`nt possible to do . So we`re all left with our individual experiences to guide our decisions(what other option is there?).
It`s easy for me to decide in this sense,I just trust my ears and my gut reaction(emotional response).If I hear something I like better than SET amps I`d change in a heartbeat.It has`nt happened yet(does`nt mean it won`t).All that matters is what sounds best to me (us) and draws me into the music.What OTL does for you,SET does for me.
Regards, |
Dover,
Come on now, all amplifiers and any component has a 'sound' or signature.There`s no absolute neutral component that I`m aware of.I do agree with what you say is the basic function of an amplifier, drive a speaker load.Ability to drive a speaker does`nt suggest it will also sound good driving it however.Dover you have a lot of experience with the Tannoy speaker and I don`t.My only point is others who are also familiar with it have drawn different conclusions as to what amps work best with it. This is a totally expected outcome,various opinions.
Regards, |
Dover,
I think we do agree on most points especially the advantage of trying different amplifiers if this is possible.Based on the replies in this thread it seems clear a variety of amps would work sucessfully with Borg`s speakers.
Dover you mentioned the Bakoon amp driving the Coincident qiite easily, this does`nt surprise me. My room is 14'x26'x8' and I can completely saturate the room with full scale sound and energy with my 8 watt amp.I`d really like to hear the Bakoon and also the First Watt S.I.T.-1 amp with my speakers. Both are said to be very special.
What`s your impression of the Bakoon with appropriate speakers? Is it organic?
Regards, |
Mikedimitrov,
There`s nothing better than hearing something yourself.If would seem a good tube amplifier with the Tannoy is a very good match.I agree with you, an emotional involvement with music is essential. If this vital element is absent what`s the point of listening to music. It you are`nt moved and responding,it`s just a waste of your time.
Regards, |
I've heard the CAT amplifiers on several occasions and can understand their appeal (depending on system needs). It's a very accomplished high power push pull amp and offers near universal flexibility for speaker choice. I don't honesty hear much similarities to SET amplifiers. They sound very different to me, this is aclear case of listening preference and system matching. These speakers can sound fine with either type of amp, it really depends on what sound presentation you want . Neither is better than the other, it just a issue of taste.
Regards, |
Wylmars,
I think that's a good list of potential amplifiers to use . Since you're seeking suggestions I'd choose the Viva Aurora 845. It's a beautiful sounding amplifier and would drive your Tannoys well.
Regards, |
