Ohm Walsh Micro Talls: who's actually heard 'em?

Marty,

Which Bel Canto specifically? Is it a Class D? Does it double or near double power into 4 ohm?

Also it appears you've had the 100s for about a month. Very possibly they are not fully broken in yet? Dynamics on my Ohm 5's improved dramatically over time in comparison to when they arrived.

My 100s were acquired 2nd hand and were fully broken in when I got them prior to the 5's, so I had these for reference as the 5's broke in.

Map,

The Bel Canto amp is class D. You may be right about break-in or amp matching as the tube experiment is proving most interesting re: dynamics. Could be the switch to tubes or could be time passing, but dynamics are improving - at this point, I suspect it's the tubes. Before too long I'ff switch back to the TAD ss monos to get a better handle on causality. When I do feel confident about the results I'll start a new thread on Ohm & Tubes.

Marty

PS - Regarding imaging, your point about the MBLs going omni full range vs. the Ohm's crossing to directional high frequency drivers (aimed off axis) is well taken. However, the Ohm's directional tweeter only crosses in over 8K (it's really more a supertweeter in that regard) so I'm not sure that vocal images are really being affected significantly. In any event, imaging via my 100s has been great in every respect other than front to back layering.

Marty,

Interesting results with the tubes and Class D.

I'd be willing to bet break in is a factor still at this point.

Imaging and dynamics improved significantly in my system with intro of the Audio Research sp16 tube pre, so I suspect some of what you hear is due to the tubes as well.

I'm curious specifically about the low end with tube power amplification versus the Class D, if it is full, extended, controlled, and balanced as well as dynamic with the tube power amp.

In one of my emails to John Strohbeen, he said that he preferred amplifiers with high dynamic power ratings into low impedences. He said that the MWT dips to about 4 ohms at the low frequency cut off, but it's above 8 most of the time.

Just a little more info from the field - When I switched from a McIntosh MA 6200 to my current Cyrus 8vs2, I noticed extended bass with a lot more control. I'm sure there are a lot of factors, but one that I keep thinking of, is the high damping factor of the Cyrus...

Map,

I'm using subs - so it's hard for me to say much about the low end. John S told me that the 100s don't fall below 4.8 ohms, so a tube amp might work well. However, quick impressions reveal that the tonal balance of the speaker shifts noticeably with my Prima Lunas (4 ohm taps). I'm going to try the 8 ohm taps next to see what happens. Stay tuned..

Marty

PS If I get the energy, I'll rewire for full range operation with my ARC VT-130SE amp. The ARC is balanced in only, so rewiring is a pain in the ass, so that's a fairly big "if".