Tube or SS for Vocals/Strings

LOL, this thread has turned into a funny!

Anyways, I emailed Totem personally and they said for my specific needs the Unison research S2K SET integrated would be the best match under $2000. They said they use it in Totems own personal showroom in Quebec. It offers 16w SET power. Because the mechanical limits of the Arro are a lot smaller than other larger loudspeakers with similiar impedence/sensitivety it allows the Arro's to match up really well with SET amps.

Thanks for the comments so far guys!

This is the first I've heard of the S2K. Looks like an interesting design using two KT88's in unison (pardon the pun). Well, if that is true about the match-up, that'd get my thumbs-up as worthy of consideration, with the caveat that Avguygeorge added - SET designs done right will certainly do vocals and strings like no other topology, but will not be as versatile as a push-pull when it comes to the wider range of applications. It doesn't bother me at all, but then I don't listen to much rock or electronic music, or other complex/demanding programming, nor do I use the SETs for home theatre. The match-up does surprise me though. Somehow I would have never thought 16watts could drive speakers with the specs of the Arros to gratifying levels. I've tried both 10 watts of push-pull and 17 watts of pentode with both 89db monitors and 90 db floor standers (both at 8 ohms). Granted, neither speaker resembled the Arros in size/shape nor drivers. Neither of those combinations really allowed me to push the speakers very hard. At modest levels (below 85db) those combinations were very nice indeed. That begs another good question - how loud do you typically like to listen?

Marco

How 'bout a tubed linestage and a single ended solid state. I forgot who, but just read a small blurb on one of their amps called, I think, the F2 in Dec05 stereophile. Reasonably priced too if I recall.

Marco seems offended by the characterization of differences in sound as distortion, but if not for distortion doesn't it follow that all systems would sound identical to the source. He happens to prefer the distortion tubes introduce, and given that not all tube amps yield the same distortion, he happens to prefer the distortion of particular tube amps, and some would suggest further particular amps with particular tubes, transformers, capacitors, resisters, and so forth.

That there is a predisposition on Audiogon to write as though tubes and vinyl are a panacea to achieve good sound seems obvious from the posts, thus the offending kneejerk comment.

I think the OP needs to listen for himself to select the distortion he prefers, not the distortion I or Marco might prefer -- I also love baroque music, especially that of Corelli.

db

Hey Jax,

I normally listen at moderate levels. this setup will obviously be not used for any video. However, I am wondering if a REL Stampede will add to the setup for depth and perceived loudness especially on rock and electronic tracks. I wonder If that will give me the best of both worlds?