Hello ct0517
What 800,s do you have?
What 800,s do you have?
Tube vs Solid State
Folks,
For past few months, I have been trying to achieve best possible sound in my rig. The focus now is clearly on a improving 2 channel sound in what started as a home theater room.
In past couple of years, I have added N10, Modwright DAC and very recently a LS36.5 linestage . The amps are Modwright KWA150SE. I am running pair of KWA150SE's in bridge mode (450Wx1) for the mighty B&W 800D2's. While I like the sound as is, still feel something is missing.
I have been toying with the idea of bi-amping. One thought is to add mono tube amps to run mid's and high's and let the KWA150SE's handle the LF's. I am pursuing that seductive, slightly warm mid-range and top end that usually comes from tube amplification.
I don't think there is any tube amp out there by itself capable of powering up bass hungry 800's. I prefer not to use a subwoofer in 2 channel setup. I listen to mostly jazz and classical music and quite sure that 800's are capable of producing adequate bass with proper amplification.
Any feedback would be appreciated.
Cheers!
For past few months, I have been trying to achieve best possible sound in my rig. The focus now is clearly on a improving 2 channel sound in what started as a home theater room.
In past couple of years, I have added N10, Modwright DAC and very recently a LS36.5 linestage . The amps are Modwright KWA150SE. I am running pair of KWA150SE's in bridge mode (450Wx1) for the mighty B&W 800D2's. While I like the sound as is, still feel something is missing.
I have been toying with the idea of bi-amping. One thought is to add mono tube amps to run mid's and high's and let the KWA150SE's handle the LF's. I am pursuing that seductive, slightly warm mid-range and top end that usually comes from tube amplification.
I don't think there is any tube amp out there by itself capable of powering up bass hungry 800's. I prefer not to use a subwoofer in 2 channel setup. I listen to mostly jazz and classical music and quite sure that 800's are capable of producing adequate bass with proper amplification.
Any feedback would be appreciated.
Cheers!
61 responses Add your response
god i just looked that those http://www.atma-sphere.com/Products/#MA-3 hate to have to re-tube them suckers nothing like ordering 108 tubes matched at one shot haha.... owch |
Hi Lalitk We both own a pair of 800's but our speakers are of very different design and builds. 8^0 I have run 200 + wpc OTL monoblocks. The bass was lean and bettered by my Music Reference RM9. Also depending on where you live - you may need to have your Air Conditioning running in the winter. Forget OTL. Stick to Push Pull. You need a tube amp with excellent transformers that can be tapped on 4 ohms. If you really want to come to the end of the audiophile road and enjoy the music. This is one way. http://www.ramlabs-musicreference.com/music_reference_rm-200_hybrid_power_tube_amplifer.html http://www.ramlabs-musicreference.com/pricelist.html Try to find a first generation RM9 also. A very good solid state option is the Dan D'Agostino era Krells. Dan used to have Matrix 800's in his personal room and designed the FPB series to their needs. Anyway some more stuff to chew on. :^) Good luck. Cheers Chris |
I don't think there is any tube amp out there by itself capable of powering up bass hungry 800's. Perhaps this one could: http://www.atma-sphere.com/Products/#MA-3 |
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I am doing what you are thinking about; bi-amping w solids and tubes, but my components are very different. You will need an active crossover, preferably with the ability to vary crossover frequency, phase and gain. In my case, I am running Feastrex full-range drivers for the mids, highs, and upper bass driven by an Atma-sphere OTL S-30, crossed over at around 80 hz to a pair of 10" woofers per side, driven by a Class D Crown amp. I'm very happy with the result but it is a bit complicated and there are lots of places where gremlins can creep in. I don't know if the 800Ds allow you to bypass the internal crossovers, but I would think you would want to do that. |
Bi-amping with tubes and SS can be tricky, matching different input sensitivities in the amps, etc. You would seem to have plenty of power between the two Modwright KWA150SE's. The Modwright LS36.5 has a reputation for being a modern tube design, not sounding very tubey, or warm. Perhaps you might consider trying a preamp that would give you that "seductive, slightly warm mid-range and top end that usually comes from tube amplification" that you seek. Something along the lines of a Cary, CJ, Joule Electra, etc. You could possibly get the same desired outcome with cables too. Look for something with gold in it as a conductor. KCI Silkworm+, Jade, or Gabriel Gold may be just the ticket. |