@jjss49 , yes you are exactly right. First, the PL always felt like it could be a super amp. It's Godzilla in size--well nearly. It's bold and refined. But, it wasn't that resolving--or at least with my stuff. It has always been thoroughly enjoyable.
I swapped out dozens of tubes with the PL. I spent too much.
As to triode v. ultralinear, I enjoyed both. I always wanted a variable dial that I could turn up/down to adjust feedback or bias. Having the UL/TR button was a gift. While I spent too much time debating which one I liked better, it was nice to have the switch as I sometimes simply used it as a "Loudness Button"--a la 1974. It just sounded lovely at low volumes in UL.
The Carver is running Tung Sol KT 120s--the only maker. The driver tubes are basic Electro Harmonix, 12AT7, and gain tube is 12AX7, Tung Sol. No fooling. Nothing special.
And to your point, can the Carver drive speakers with much higher demands than Cornwall IVs? I'd be more cautious as sensitivity drops as well as impedance. I would question that this thing could drive a medium plus load in a good size room. But, who what do I know? If I was in a smallish room I'd try this amp with any loudspeaker within reason....just to see because it's a sweet little amp that begs to be auditioned with all sorts of equipment.
Finally, yes, I think the Carver is more resolving than the PL. Mainly, I think the Carver has more texture and open space, while not sounding too airy, or something bloated.
I swapped out dozens of tubes with the PL. I spent too much.
As to triode v. ultralinear, I enjoyed both. I always wanted a variable dial that I could turn up/down to adjust feedback or bias. Having the UL/TR button was a gift. While I spent too much time debating which one I liked better, it was nice to have the switch as I sometimes simply used it as a "Loudness Button"--a la 1974. It just sounded lovely at low volumes in UL.
The Carver is running Tung Sol KT 120s--the only maker. The driver tubes are basic Electro Harmonix, 12AT7, and gain tube is 12AX7, Tung Sol. No fooling. Nothing special.
And to your point, can the Carver drive speakers with much higher demands than Cornwall IVs? I'd be more cautious as sensitivity drops as well as impedance. I would question that this thing could drive a medium plus load in a good size room. But, who what do I know? If I was in a smallish room I'd try this amp with any loudspeaker within reason....just to see because it's a sweet little amp that begs to be auditioned with all sorts of equipment.
Finally, yes, I think the Carver is more resolving than the PL. Mainly, I think the Carver has more texture and open space, while not sounding too airy, or something bloated.