@geoffkait,
Uh, Robert, we’ve already covered the dodgy subject of why low mass systems have advantages over, you could even say they’re superior to, high mass systems.
No big honking 🦆 transformer or one that has been removed and relocated elsewhere.
Solution: I really enjoy the big sound and dynamic headroom generated from “big honking” transformers and high power. There is no need to relocate it. For the DIY or serious learner, simply remove the rubber gaskets and mechanically ground it to the chassis (there is a cone for this application). The majority of mechanical and electromechanical noise will transfer at high speed to the chassis. Then mechanically ground the chassis to the racking mass to complete the high speed resonance transfer process and you are rewarded with more quality of sound, a cooler running temperature and most importantly - layered harmonics and dynamics that will soar through the roof!
No big capacitors that vibrate and shift the phase.
Solution: Mechanically ground the caps too! The transformer and power supply are the primary culprits for forming resonance. The caps as well as all key parts (outputs and circuit) should also be grounded separately to the chassis. This leaves each part to independently vibrate on its own accord without the influence of vibration affecting other parts and transfer resonance to chassis mass as it forms. The component operational efficiency will increase substantially without affecting the sonic character of the amplifier. Phase issues are a direct result from resonance build up without an effective mechanical grounding plane.
No large chassis that vibrates.
Really? Even small chassis vibrate. Any device that demands AC or DC power to operate will vibrate and form resonance but you already knew that.
No fuse to worry about.
Never had any issue with fuse protection for safety reasons.
Minimizes internal wiring, about 50% of which is soldered in the wrong direction anyway. Plus there is simply LESS things to distort the signal or vibrate.
GK, you can manage vibration - right? I would not know what music would sound like without distortion properties. After all that is how tubes establish their sonic profile as well as musical instruments - they distort! In a perfect world with no vibration or distortion would music have sound?
Lightweight components are easier to isolate from vibration.
We cannot comment on isolation as that was part of our past where those theories have long played out over time. I know isolation techniques; specifically springs always had issues dealing with various component weights. Need a thin spring for this two pound product and require a different version for that hundred pound device and an automobile sized spring for that three hundred pound speaker has always been the stumbling block. We no longer deal in that realm as weight is never an issue with our technology.
In your opinion GK, are we walking yet?
My personal tastes require a sound system that generates both mind and physical stimulus. I need to feel the kick drum in my chest and the bass guitar moving my feet where headphones do not satisfy my personal listening requirements.
There are no industry related findings or proof that differences between high mass and limited mass systems exist. They all vibrate alike. It appears to be just personal opinions that are being presented here where ‘solutions’ on the other hand appear to be in limited supply.
Give me that “big honker” of a transformer, lots of power with a 4 kHz snap in a kick drum and I’ll vibrate the world… ⌣
Robert