@hilde45 interesting discussion, I just noticed that this seemed to have steered into the tubes vs SS conundrum and I may have missed it but the old speaker synergy could have been overlooked.
I have been going through some changes in my audio system, mainly because I have been struggling with work and money related matters, this is on its way to be solved so I think I will be fine.
I purchased some time ago atmasphere MA-1s, incredible amplifiers which I fell in love with. Initially were used with Klipsch P37F and the Soundstage was great, the detail and transparency unique. Then I acquired AudioKinesis Azel speakers, a big step upgrade over the Klipsch and better sounding with the MA-1s.
Along the way I tried many other tube amps with the Azels, different tubes too, SET amps, PSETs, nothing was comparable to the atmasphere.
Full disclosure I have always been a fan of tube amps.
I had to put the speakers Azels for sale, great speakers, got back the Klipsch and putting the Klipsch with the atmaspheres back so disappointing, not the same lows, glary highs, I thought the Klipsch were really bad, further changes I had to sell the MA-1s too, the day these were picked up I felt like something was lost, but hey you have situations sometimes.
Spent about 3 weeks without music or audio, good friend of mine loaned me a cheap inexpensive modified Adcom GFA-535, hey I don't like SS but this will allow me to listen in the meantime while I restructure my life and Financials.
Connected the Adcom to my Klipsch without expecting anything different that what I would get from a bose single speaker. Wow, the Klipsch became a completely different speaker, meaty, the woofer excursion provides excellent bass, the glare was gone, probably because of roll off on the highs.
Now the Adcom distorts like the atmasphere never did / will, the transparency of the atmasphere is not there either (that magic is lacking) but this doesn't mean it is not musical. I knew the P37F was 96 dB of sensitivity and in my mind for some reason I had 8 ohm nominal which in paper should be good for tubes, going back to the spec it is actually 4 ohm nominal and a few phase issues.
I consider Ralph a friend, a superb smart guy and completely accomplished individual so I'm not trying to compare the atmasphere gear to anything here or detract from it, I'm just mentioning it because it is what I owned. All I'm saying is something most of you know already.
My Klipsch I would never again try to use it with tube amps, I would never also use these for anything else than rock electronic casual listening. My ideal system would still be atmasphere with high efficient speakers for something special.
Just don't make this thread another SS vs tubes discussion, me personally I found now that completely detracting from something (SS in this case) made me blind to reality.
I have been going through some changes in my audio system, mainly because I have been struggling with work and money related matters, this is on its way to be solved so I think I will be fine.
I purchased some time ago atmasphere MA-1s, incredible amplifiers which I fell in love with. Initially were used with Klipsch P37F and the Soundstage was great, the detail and transparency unique. Then I acquired AudioKinesis Azel speakers, a big step upgrade over the Klipsch and better sounding with the MA-1s.
Along the way I tried many other tube amps with the Azels, different tubes too, SET amps, PSETs, nothing was comparable to the atmasphere.
Full disclosure I have always been a fan of tube amps.
I had to put the speakers Azels for sale, great speakers, got back the Klipsch and putting the Klipsch with the atmaspheres back so disappointing, not the same lows, glary highs, I thought the Klipsch were really bad, further changes I had to sell the MA-1s too, the day these were picked up I felt like something was lost, but hey you have situations sometimes.
Spent about 3 weeks without music or audio, good friend of mine loaned me a cheap inexpensive modified Adcom GFA-535, hey I don't like SS but this will allow me to listen in the meantime while I restructure my life and Financials.
Connected the Adcom to my Klipsch without expecting anything different that what I would get from a bose single speaker. Wow, the Klipsch became a completely different speaker, meaty, the woofer excursion provides excellent bass, the glare was gone, probably because of roll off on the highs.
Now the Adcom distorts like the atmasphere never did / will, the transparency of the atmasphere is not there either (that magic is lacking) but this doesn't mean it is not musical. I knew the P37F was 96 dB of sensitivity and in my mind for some reason I had 8 ohm nominal which in paper should be good for tubes, going back to the spec it is actually 4 ohm nominal and a few phase issues.
I consider Ralph a friend, a superb smart guy and completely accomplished individual so I'm not trying to compare the atmasphere gear to anything here or detract from it, I'm just mentioning it because it is what I owned. All I'm saying is something most of you know already.
My Klipsch I would never again try to use it with tube amps, I would never also use these for anything else than rock electronic casual listening. My ideal system would still be atmasphere with high efficient speakers for something special.
Just don't make this thread another SS vs tubes discussion, me personally I found now that completely detracting from something (SS in this case) made me blind to reality.