Please help - Impotence problem

Kubla. Which set of outputs are you using from the Counterpoint 11?

In spite of what you may have been told, the buffered outputs sound much worse. Even in very long runs (up to 40 feet) with those amps.

Use the direct out, I will try to remember which set of input jacks are the best sounding ones. They are all routed differently and one was clearly better.

Have you replaced the outboard jumpers with high quality wire and better connectors? Or if you're handy, solder across them internally with a piece of OFC copper wire.

If you have not replaced the output tubes with NOS 5692 tubes, you should. The Russian tubes typically found in these have terrible high frequencies.

Also, this uses a 6080 regulator. If it gets weak it severely damages the sound, long before it fails. NOS Mil grade may be purchased for about $10.00. If yours has not been replaced, I would do so.

You did not mention isolation. That particular preamp really responds well to Mod Squad Soft Shoes and Vibrapods.

You are welcome to call me if you need help.

1.Counterpoint is about to be broke.
2.Unstable DC offsetts make the amp oscillating. As far as I remember Mike used to give instructions how to bias an output stage(yes, transistors) and under the box it has a trim pots.
3.By bi-amping(horizontal) the stability is even more lost due to the added crosstalk and different load curve complexity -- would not recommend.
4.Built quality and reliability issues. Read out www.altavista.com to find out more about reliability of these amplifiers. I guess they're complete mess in that case.
5.The high sencitivity input stage that was removed is probably inverting cascade with neg. feedback that helps to stabilize driving tubes and so the output stage as well. Bring it back while Counterpoint still exists and + use direct out of your preamp as Albert suggests.

Albert, Dekay...Marakanetz...

Dekay, first. I feel really stupid but you are right. all my cables are new and already i'm noticing a difference as they're breaking in. i might start becoming a believer in cables. the smearing is going away, instruments are balancing out and low level detail is coming into focus. still, the lush tube midrange bloom i crave so much isn't there but i'm hoping.

Albert...thanks so much for detailing possible issues. i removed the buffered outs myself and yes, you're right, the direct outs sounded much better. however, mike recently installed XLR outs i needed to connect my crossover so i'm using those now. maybe they have to breakin also?

regarding tubes, i was told a while back that with the sa-11 first level mod (the mu circuit) the only audio critical tubes were the 4 outputs tubes that dont need to be biased anymore with the mod. i better check that i did in fact replace all of those. I know i have at least two RCA 5692 brown base nos tubes there. but regardless, the old system sounded better with the sa-11 as it is currently than the system sounds now so i'm thinking the problem is the amps, speakers or the cable breakin.

i'll check the regulator. as far as isolation the sa-11 is in a rack mount.

what do you think of marakanetz comments especially regarding biamping with these amps?

thanks guys...the sound is getting better every day and is sounding much better at around 3am. a power conditioner is on its way to help me extend the system to connect with my dedicated lines so that should help too. for now i'm just playing REALLY loud coltrane over and over late at night and it's actually very nice.

we;ll see. i'll keep you posted.

Kulakh,
You're right commenting power! You must have enough current capabilities inside the wall for two amps + power conditioner.
Hence you feel sound improvement at arround 3am when everybody sleeps and using substantially less power devices!
Never mind interconnects or their break-in time! Power is where it gets critical I guess in your case.

sorry sorry sorry - i'm bush league, i'm a novice at best...

... i spoke too soon. my entire system had all new cables and speaker wires and they just weren't broken in yet. at this point, this is by far the best system i've ever owned. it's too good because i'm hearing how badly so many of my recordings are. a friend (a hardcore audiophile for about 20 years now) came over with his reference cds and said he never realized how crappy they were until listening on my new setup. when we put in some primo stuff we sat listening with our mouths open like morons. (i turned him into a coltrane fanatic in one session.) every day things are getting better; smearing has gone, the treble has eased up (although not fully) the bass is unlike anytihng i've ever had, solo instruments like coltrane's sax (on the right recording) sound like they're in the room when turned up at live levels and i never thought a home system could play so loudly w/o distortion.

i might finally be happy. not satisfied, but happy.

i never had a full replacement of cables before so i never really understood burn-in but i gotta say, new cables sound like shit and can scare the living hell out of you when you first hear them. i thought at first i had connected my crossover incorrectly the system sounded so poorly. and the cleaner power in LA at 3am makes all the difference in the world.

i'm glad i didn't call the guy who sold me these waveforms and tell him what i was all geared up for...phew. a guy could get shot for much less in los angeles.

thanks to all for the help.