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The speaker/amplification wars continue

SET amplification vs PP amplification
High sens speakers vs ~`The INEFFICIENTS~~~
You might think this topic belongs over on amps room. Not at all. 
SET + High sens (91db-120db)
PP + Low sens = The Inefficients (below 91db)
Sunday I hope to get Richard Gray's 211 SET amp he builds in his shop.
This will be my 1st ever exp with SET amps, Not once have I heard a SET amp.
I know now what a  PP can do. 
I have various FR 91ish db speakers for testing.
Thinking it all over.
My only concern is classical music, Specifically full orchestra rocking N rolling. 
While listening to my Defy 7 6550, the orchestra is not separated, its all blended, like a  Louisiana Gumbo.
I'm guessing RG's 211 will bring  in details which a  PP amp just can't manage. 
I am not sure ,. just guessing here. Now all the YT vids on SET amps, have easy jazz, solo instruments, nothing complex whatsoever,. 
So obviously I will not test with my usual reference cds, Gatemouth Brown Gateswings, nor Sophie Milman. ,,well no actually we will start with Gatemouth, as his cd is high chaged with  thick stuff going on, Lets see ifa  211 can handle its business.
Next I will test the 211 witha  bunch of high quality classical, Rip Roaring full orchestra. 
Will tghe 211 pass with colors and separation and SLAM! or will the big bad boy go down in flames , all discobobulated and coughing its guts out.
Will post results. 
If SET wins, Defy is up on the auction block, actually ~buy now,/ships free~Going to takea hit on that one, as i have $1500 in upgrades, amp is from the early 2000'ish? . , amp hardly used, . Maybe 3-4 yrs  
mozartfan
mozartfan OP
2,143 posts
 
That is correct. Triodes makes less power but are more linear (allowing them to sound better)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
OK Thanks for the explantion. I fliped the Ultra switch on the cayin EL34 baby amp back to Ultra, back to Triode,,, not sure what was what..
Then I realized the Triode sounded weaker.
Then something went out, took to a  Baton Rouge tech, he tested , all was OK, sold it off at a loss and thats that on Triode.
Triode mode can not produce slam when needed, as in Elliott Carter vocal work, Whats Next operetta.

For this opening requires KT88 in full PP mode.

If only you guys could hear these W18's working in real time.
Kettle drums go ~~BOOMMMMM~~
Subs? Not necessary


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0NjOpVpFy20&t=210s
atmasphere's avatar
atmasphere
11,846 posts
 
Triode mode can not produce slam when needed, as in Elliott Carter vocal work, Whats Next operetta.
Yes, you need enough power and this is probably true of your amps but not of all triode amps :)


But if you have enough power from a triode amp there isn't any going back to pentodes. Of course, triode power is more expensive than pentode (pentodes trade off linearity for more power) which is why higher efficiency speakers are useful!
mozartfan OP
2,143 posts
 
OK Got ya
Triode more lenear, however high eff required,,say 94db ses ++
= High quality FR (gonna cost ya) and or horns, 
I LOVE horns, at least Richard's loan horn the 1960's <agnovox tweeter horn
+ I have another 1960's horn I bought off ebay the Jensen midrange V17C6965.
The highs comming out this horn are just stunning, putting to same the Seas Millennium tweeter. 
Horns rule. 
S yeah If I had a all horn system Triode would be cool, But I don't, I have Seas W18's as bass 87db = power required.
My speakers are
87db + 91db + 97db. 
LOVE IT!!!!
Best sound ever in my system, The Defy7 is singing gloriously.

richedge
13 posts
 
is this the online version of staring into the mirror and talking to yourself for an hour?

good grief


In short ...Yes !!!!
mijostyn's avatar
mijostyn
8,570 posts
 
Yes richedge it is. However, listening to atmasphere explain things is always useful. 

mozartfan, you need to stop spinning your wheels. You are going to oversteer and crash. Wasting money on this silliness is not going to get you very far if not backwards. Save your money for a real amplifier that will drive anything. Then you have the ultimate flexibility with loudspeakers. I'm all for efficiency when it sounds good. One of the best full range speakers with subs would be nice. Many of them are 98 dB/watt/meter and above. Or, perhaps a horn loaded speaker like the ones atmasphere uses (I can never remember the name). Atmasphere's S30 or any number of smaller class A amps would drive anything over 94 dB wonderfully. 
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