SET vs OTL

That is also one reason SETs sound more vibrant & energetic compared to Push-Pulls.  

Actually what is happening is how the SET makes distortion. The energetic quality is due to higher ordered harmonics showing up on the transients when you ask the amp to make any significant power. Those higher orders are interpreted by the ear as 'louder' although if you were to use a sound level pressure meter, you'd find that its an illusion. They are a sign that the speaker isn't efficient enough to take advantage of the better properties of the amp. Any time you ask an SET to make more than about 20-25% of full power these higher ordered harmonics are in the mix.

What Atmasphere is exactly what we experienced in our comparisons. Takes a bit of time to figure this out, but all 5 of the participants eventually came to the same conclusion. 2 of us heard this within moments. 

There is another quality that I have clearly noticed in all SETs vs Push-pull. And this is even in systems which are super efficient and made for SETs (single drivers, Audio note speakers etc). SETs sound like "they are here" whereas push-pull sound like "we are there". At any volume and with any speaker I have heard, this is another phenomenon that was consistent

Sorry Charles you probably have more experience then i do but  being an audiophile for over 25 years and the budget to spend as much as i like on this hobby.

Years of buying and selling has tought me many lessons, i would say an evolution in trainning the ears.

I have owned Solid States and SET Amplifiers, Horns and Full Range Speakers, bookshelf and studio speakers to active speakers from studio and audiophile markets, your conventional speakers to even PA Speakers like Danley Sound-labs too. DIY builds on Speakers and Amplifiers from different designs some well known and others not so much.

So far to my Ears with my current experience OTL are superior over any SET Amplifiers in almost any way and so far over any Solid State Amplifiers too.

If you want super lush sounding or slightly colored music then SET would be your weapon of choice but that is more to do with preference and their are many wonderful Sounding SET Amplifiers i personally still would never Sell i like the SET sound too but over each other you obvious know which i would pick. That being said in my main Room for musical playback OTL will always be a permanent keeper. So to my ears and my experience and my preference and conclusion. 

OTL Is Superior Amplifier ( I dont intend to tick anyone off)   This is based on my life journey as a Audiophile.

I currently use the Classic Audio T1.5 and T1,3 Both Field Coils In my home in diffrent rooms both are 16 ohms

I also own Western Electric Field Coil Speakers which is a clone made by Line Magnetic these are also 16ohms

I have the Cube Audio nenuphar Speakers Mated with SET Amplifiers in my bedroom.

I have other rooms with Active Studio Speakers with Tube Pre-amps. Various rooms have different setups.

Overall the combination of Classic Audio Field Coils with OTL is by far the most superior of all my audio systems and i would extend this to saying i have never wanted to change this combo even when i have visited various shows with uber priced audio gears.

And this is even in systems which are super efficient and made for SETs (single drivers, Audio note speakers etc). SETs sound like "they are here" whereas push-pull sound like "we are there". At any volume and with any speaker I have heard, this is another phenomenon that was consistent

People occasionally ask me how a stereo is supposed to work, and I explain that the best model I've come up with is that the stereo can act like a time/space machine that can graft your room onto a musical event.


Some recordings are very intimate and sound like they are in the room. Others are larger events, like a full orchestra, in which case you feel more like 'you are there' rather than 'they are here'. IOW IME the way that presents really depends more on the recording if the stereo's ducks are in a row.