Acoustic Zen Crescendo

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

Well put Charles. 

My listening space is 20'W X 25'L X10"H with two entry ways; one on the left and one on the right. Typical listening is around the 9 o clock position and 10 to 11 o clock would rock the house. The LM is so Much more dynamic than the Vitus with better mid-range magic and mid-bass.

Who would have thought that a 48 Watt SET would be more transparent, open and resolving... 

Wig, Tone and timbre are what I was seeking with my foray into the SET genre. Transparency, resolution and superior nuance were beyond my expectation. There are definitely similarities with our audio system development/ evolution.
Charles