Acoustic Zen Crescendo

Charles I know you're not.    We agree that individual personal tastes vary.

 

Exactly !
On interesting forum discussions such as this we as individuals can only contribute the results of our various listening experiences. I admittedly tend to happily share my perspective regarding tube and especially SET amplifiers based on my discovery and long ownership of them. the move toward them and away from previous solid state amps was a pivotal moment for me.

I've read many posts by you recounting your happiness and enthusiasm with class D amplifiers and  Ohm Walsh speakers. I understand this as it is clear they have had a very positive and impactful influence along your journey. This is logical as we tend to talk/write about what we have experienced with resulting good outcomes.
Charles

Charles I share my enthusiasm and whatever knowledge I might if someone is interested but I hesitate to recommend them just because I like them. I think we differ a bit there perhaps.

Reason being they are totally different than what most are used to hearing. A totally different flavor of sound that usually takes time to get used to before falling in love although with a lot of familiar and tasty ingrdients of good sound to offer right out of the gate.

Also those who use radial or omnidirectional speakers are a minority so they are clearly not for everyone otherwise the reverse would be true.

If one is game to try than I am all in. But I probably more often than not tend to recommend more mainstream options for most unless there is some good reason to encourage them to try something radically different, like a history of failure with another approach.

There is the in home audition period and guarantee as an insurance policy so that helps.

Whereas with amps, what I recommend will largely be determined by what speakers will be used. If one wants to start with an amp and build form there, that’s one perfectly fine way to go about it though I would argue start with speaker/room integration because that matters perhaps more than anything and one usually has limited ability to change the sound of their room. Different speaker design, no single one or type will tend to work best in different rooms. That’s pretty much a given. Also choice of amp will determine what speakers are a good match and some choices, like choosing a limited power amp, will likely limit speaker choices most.


My job is to deliver computer based solutions (not audio though I cut my teeth in and sold audio and home electronics for a brief period in college many years ago)) and that means being solution centric and largely technology agnostic and that’s pretty much the way I roll.

I think it started when I worked for Radio Shack first as a salesman and later briefly as a store manager.   We were taught that when someone walked in the store they had some problem (like a blown tube or fuse) or were looking for something (like a particular hifi) and our job was to figure out what and solve their problem and then make a sale.  Good advice!

Charles and mapman I have always appreciated both of your contributions to this site. Good stuff!

I enjoy more than one house sound as no speaker/amp combo does everything perfectly .... at least to my liking. There are always trade offs as we know. That is why I will always own at least one tube amp and one SS amp to run my speakers. I go back and forth and enjoy each for a season before switching.

I will always own a tube amp as I love them aesthetically, emotionally, and sonically. I love the SET tube sound, but in the end find them limiting on the speakers I have owned over the years. Not limiting in terms of musicality, emotion, or tone. However they don’t provide the same scale, foundation, and sense of utter ease and control at high volumes. At least not at the level of high quality SS watts. Trade offs and the reason I will always own two different amps. This is only my opinion and experience. No, I have not experienced enough combinations to say my current opinion is truth for all. Also, as you both have said there is no truth in this world of subjectivity.

I bet a 45-50 watt SET tube amp is in my future to enjoy!

Bill,
I agree with what you’ve written and certainly appreciate your rationale for owning both a tube and solid state amplifiers. Some people own multiple systems for the thrill of different presentations with a diverse collection of components and speakers.

One of the great aspects of High End Audio is the enormous choice of product genres to explore. With experience and patience gained over the years, one can develop an  audio system to uniquely match their desired sound. This is an attribute that is underappreciated in this endeavor I believe. We are free to go in whatever direction our ears lead us.

I’ve found my desired sound and music reproduction fulfilled as have others. For others it’s a never ending search which for them provides the challenge they seek down the path toward nirvana. Home audio system assembly is really an ultimate form of self expression. You begin with a blank canvas and create as you see fit..

It is such a joy to build a music collection over the years and be able to sit back and enjoy listening to masterful musicians that you admire. I love listening to music.
Charles