Apogee vs Soundlab

Jafox: MBL 1621 CD-transport - KCI Falcon S/PDIF interconnect - Goldmund Mimesis 10C+ D/A-converter - CAT Signature Mk III preamp - Gruensch CSE II se power amplifier - Cardas Golden Cross speaker cable - Soundlab A-1's.

Chris

Definetely the CAT Signature makes the sound sharper etc.
Conrad Johnson is a much better choice, softer more musical but unfortunately not too realistic(typical golden sound)

Dazzdax, its normal for transistor amps to sound that way on the Sound Labs, due to the low impedance at high frequencies. Sound Labs do not expect the amp to double power as the impedance is halved. see
http://www.atma-sphere.com/papers/paradigm_paper2.html

So when you put a transistor amplifier on the Sound Labs, the result is too much treble energy and not nearly enough bass. That's why tube amplifiers are preferred; they will try to make the same power regardless of the impedance- that gives you a more tonally neutral sound on the Sound Lab.

Bottom line is that they can be very extended and smooth yet still aggressive if the music calls for it, IOW quite neutral :)

The Cat is fairly neutral, so I doubt it to be the culprit. The fault must lie elsewhere. I think Atmasphere is right. I have tried several highly reputable transistor amps on my SL speakers and they all sounded flat generally and nasty in the highs. Like the Quads this speaker needs a good tube amp to show off its mettle. Albert Porter in another thread reports of several, which sounded right to his experienced ears. Amongst those were the big VTLs and Atmas. I've settled with Atmas.I am extremely sensitive to highs not reproduced properly and am very happy with how the Atmas reproduce my music.

Ralph, what would happen if I'm using a 10 ohms resistor in the treble section of the Soundlab (instead of using the "brilliance" control rheostat)? Would that prevent for the solid state power amplifier to "double" power? Whay don't I hear the same treble characteristics with the Quad ESL 63?

Chris