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Re: Complex music

Thanks for the rundown. I have found, however, that the speaker DOES make a huge difference. I normally use a PHY KM30 full range [approx 99db eff 13ohm load] and it has many outstanding qualities, but it will congest a little on loud, complex musical passages. This happens with low power SET 2A3 or 45 more often and quickly than higher power 845, 75TL, 304TL amps. It occurrs to me that with low power amps, the congestion could be accompanied by some clipping as well....a problem exascerbated by the wrong speaker load.

When listening to a system of higher efficiency, say 106db 8ohm, where the impedence and efficiency are optimized for SET, even using a flea power globe 50 SET will reproduce music with a minimum of [at least noticable] compression by presenting the music with a much higher level of dynamic attack and resolution than is possible from low imp, low eff speakers.

I say 'minimize' because the introduction of a higher power SET amp seems to improve the sound and make that experience even more dramatic. Then the introduction of a SET amp that uses ultra low distortion triodes like 304TL, makes even more improvement to the experience.

Then the upgrade to the drivers makes yet another improvement, etc. And remember these improvements are NOT the subjective 'improvements' that high tech power cords or esoteric IT and speaker wires make either....nor the 'dramatic improvement' of cryogenically treated triodes and wall plugs make. [How's that for a troll? :)]

My other observation is that the human ear tends to get confused/congested when presented by a lot of instruments playing simutaneously, and loudly. This seems to be independent of room/venue. I am talking of orchestral music/settings rather than amplified stuff. There are times when I find that I [often] can't hear specific instrument placement, they all become like a huge aural tapestry where the instruments all weave themselves into a sort of sonic textural blaket.

Quite different from typical multi-mic recordings, but I experience much the same effect that I would recognize as sonic compression.

So I wonder about the necessity of 'trading off' what I love about SET amps for the purported benefits of PP [forget NFB], especially when we all know of the deleterious drawbacks. When we can just get better speakers.

You guys are right about one thing, the quality of SOME speaker drivers have improved dramatically in recent years, but not all work well with SET amps. Trying is only fitting the square peg...

Later
D


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