SET vs OTL

What Atmasphere is exactly what we experienced in our comparisons. Takes a bit of time to figure this out, but all 5 of the participants eventually came to the same conclusion. 2 of us heard this within moments. 

There is another quality that I have clearly noticed in all SETs vs Push-pull. And this is even in systems which are super efficient and made for SETs (single drivers, Audio note speakers etc). SETs sound like "they are here" whereas push-pull sound like "we are there". At any volume and with any speaker I have heard, this is another phenomenon that was consistent

Sorry Charles you probably have more experience then i do but  being an audiophile for over 25 years and the budget to spend as much as i like on this hobby.

Years of buying and selling has tought me many lessons, i would say an evolution in trainning the ears.

I have owned Solid States and SET Amplifiers, Horns and Full Range Speakers, bookshelf and studio speakers to active speakers from studio and audiophile markets, your conventional speakers to even PA Speakers like Danley Sound-labs too. DIY builds on Speakers and Amplifiers from different designs some well known and others not so much.

So far to my Ears with my current experience OTL are superior over any SET Amplifiers in almost any way and so far over any Solid State Amplifiers too.

If you want super lush sounding or slightly colored music then SET would be your weapon of choice but that is more to do with preference and their are many wonderful Sounding SET Amplifiers i personally still would never Sell i like the SET sound too but over each other you obvious know which i would pick. That being said in my main Room for musical playback OTL will always be a permanent keeper. So to my ears and my experience and my preference and conclusion. 

OTL Is Superior Amplifier ( I dont intend to tick anyone off)   This is based on my life journey as a Audiophile.

I currently use the Classic Audio T1.5 and T1,3 Both Field Coils In my home in diffrent rooms both are 16 ohms

I also own Western Electric Field Coil Speakers which is a clone made by Line Magnetic these are also 16ohms

I have the Cube Audio nenuphar Speakers Mated with SET Amplifiers in my bedroom.

I have other rooms with Active Studio Speakers with Tube Pre-amps. Various rooms have different setups.

Overall the combination of Classic Audio Field Coils with OTL is by far the most superior of all my audio systems and i would extend this to saying i have never wanted to change this combo even when i have visited various shows with uber priced audio gears.

And this is even in systems which are super efficient and made for SETs (single drivers, Audio note speakers etc). SETs sound like "they are here" whereas push-pull sound like "we are there". At any volume and with any speaker I have heard, this is another phenomenon that was consistent

People occasionally ask me how a stereo is supposed to work, and I explain that the best model I've come up with is that the stereo can act like a time/space machine that can graft your room onto a musical event.


Some recordings are very intimate and sound like they are in the room. Others are larger events, like a full orchestra, in which case you feel more like 'you are there' rather than 'they are here'. IOW IME the way that presents really depends more on the recording if the stereo's ducks are in a row.

’Sorry Charles you probably have more experience then i do but being an audiophile for over 25 years and the budget to spend as much as i like on this hobby.’

@phantom_av , not a problem at all. You definitely have  very  broad experience with various types of amplifiers and OTL is your preference based on much listening . I’ve heard nearly every type of amplifier topology you can name but for me SET when all is considered moves me the most and is the best for listening to music.

Your findings parallel @audition_audio. Mine parallel @pani. I wrote earlier in this thread that both can be excellent choices and people have certainly move (In both directions) from one to the other. Depends on what you’re sonically seeking and hold most dear. I have no doubt that you are as happy with your OTL amplifier as I with my SET amplifier. As far as I’m concerned we both made the right choice. It turns out that SET just does more of what I like.
Charles