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

"I'm at a loss to describe exactly what has improved in moving to the new amplification. The music seems more "alive," in general. Instrumental textures are more palpable, individual instruments have more "air" around them"

From this description, I suspect in your case, moving from tube hybrid integrated to separate tube pre and power amp, that it is mostly a result of moving to the juicier/more powerful amp. Of course the manley is a good piece also and I'm sure the two new pieces are getting on quite well together.

Great. Now I'm wanting to try tubes! Doubt I'll part with my solid state amp, though...

Glad you're enjoying them, Rebbi. And thanks for starting this thread, by the way. You had a bit to do with me buying my MWT's (all you other guys too- thanks!)

Zkz,

I had to laugh a bit when I saw your post. I'm a big fan of Blake/Froom and Los Lobos. However.....

I've always referred to "Colossal Head" as "Colassal Bore".

By far, my least favorite Lobos record and seeing it performed live at the Lobos typically crushing SPL was one of the more painful evenings I can ever recall.

Glad you enjoy it, but I'll file this one under "agree to disagree".

Marty

BTW, IIRC Mitchell Froom once toured with Richard Thompson supporting solo guitar with amazing accompaniment on keys. Many, many years back, but a much more pleasant concert memory.

Please keep the piano recommendations coming.

Bond, I don't own any Ohms, but nevertheless, consider obtaining Annie Fischer's Beethoven Piano Sonatas on Hungaroton. The complete set is a bit pricey but if you know which sonatas you like, you can select them indiviually.
--Michael

BTW, Bond, I don't listen to classical music all that much and even less opera. I know you are having some difficulties getting piano to sound right. While many acknowledge, arguable, that piano, is the hardest instrument to get right, in my view, if a speaker doesn't do voices well, then I don't think it is going to get much else right either.

Having said that, why don't you throw some flute, oboe, cello, and violin into the mix? Add to that mix, besides some male and female vocals, dance, and some country --both acoustic and amplified?

WRT to classical and opera, borrow or download 1812 Overture by Tchaikovsky and Wagner's Gotterdammerung. All that should really show what your Ohms are made of.

Good luck.
--Michael

PS. I am glad someone finally brought room acoustics to your attention. Not wanting to beat a dead horse deader, before changing out to many pieces of electronics and trying all sorts of other tweaks, including cables, etc, treat your room first. No matter what speaker you end up with, you'll be rewarded in the long run with a room that has some of its own problems taken care of.