Best amplifier for Acoustat 2+2 electrostats for holographic sound, or change speakers?
I seek your opinion on how to improve the holographic sound out of my current system, which has the Acoustat 2+2 full range electrostatic speakers, solid state Sound Spectrum Technologies (SST) Ampzilla 2000 SE monoblocks (300 wpc, high current), and 2 preamps - a solid state SST Thoebe 2 and a SAS Audio Labs Reference 11A tube hybrid (which I am using currently). Sources are a Yamaha PX2 turntable with Hana Umami Blue cartridge, Eastern Minimax tube phono stage, a Musical Fidelity A5 CD player (as transport) thru an Audio Mirror Tubadour IV SE DAC and an Eversolo DP6 server. I also have a Moscade Saturn active subwoofer. Room treatments include dispersion panels behind the Acoustats, bass traps at the corners and some DIY absorption panels plus miscellaneous isolators on the equipment. Cables are a mixed bag with nothing very expensive. The listening room (my study) is 22' x 13' x 8'.
I listen to jazz and vintage rock.
I can't afford to remake my system and like the sound of the Acoustats but want the sound field to extend more beyond the panels and the imagery to be better defined.
I have read that a push-pull tube amp could result in a more holographic sound. What should I look for in terms of tube amp design and power output? Can you recommend any specific amps?
The alternative is to change speakers, one big issue being selling the Acoustats, which because of the 8' height are a challenge to ship. The other is selecting from the hundreds of speaker choices.
My budget is limited - I don't want to spend more than $1K over what I'd realize in selling either the amps or the speakers and I'd buy pre-owned. I live in the Atlanta area.
Appreciate your suggestions. Thanks!
Another cool thing about the Orchard is they sell the proprietary modules. Amps can be assembled by connecting the modules to their power supplies. This saves money. After buying a different brand new amp, I joined the Orchard Audio tour. The Orchard was amazing and I bought an assembled one. If I'd had this amp sooner the Acoustats wouldn't have set in mothballs for twenty years. Thanks, aldnorab |
@tomic601 agreed those Korg tubes were microphonic in my experience with them B1 as well. |
I have heard Microphonic and I have heard the measures put in place to control the audible effect. When controls are in place, there has been nothing present for any length of time to cause any concern. The Pre' has made such an Impression on myself used as loaned models in my system, I have purchased Bespoke PCB's with a option to have oversized components added, there is plenty of real estate. There is also Bespoke Built VC's to be used with the Monoblock Balanced Pre' I am having Built. The Casing is to be Airtight P'holz and the Nutube will, as an additional measure be embedded into its own P'holz Sarcophagus. A selection of the local HiFi Group, as result of the Nutube DHT experience, are now experimenting with Tube DHT Pre Amp's. Speakers being used are Active Cabinet, Passive Cabinet, Horn Loaded Cabinet and ESL. I was given my first experience on Wednesday morning in a very well known system, where the CD Source > Valve DHT (gain matched) to a Neurochrome Power Amp > Passive Cabinet Speakers . This was the best I have heard this system being driven by SS Power Amplification. There is also a Design coming together to modify the Valve DHT, something about the methodology for heating/driving the Tubes. My visit to this home prior to this visit was listening to the System via a Heavily Modded SP10 (Bespoke Speed Control / Platter Bearing Overhaul) > Bespoke Built TA > Newly Refurbished AN IO > Heavily Modified design for a KB1 (Three Box with - Blackgate Cap's - Bespoke VC) > 300B Power Amp's. Hearing this set up in use was also an indelible experience. The new encounter with Valve DHT and SS has been quite different as an impression made, but both are equally indelible. The time will come when everything is modded to its end point, and the side by side comparisons will commence. Note: When the EE goes down the path of modification, the Base Model is maintained and Modification Models are built from scratch, these are then easy to discern where the Plus/Minus points are discoverable. |
