SET Shootout China VS The USA

@mozartfan It would be really cool if you could attend an audio show or maybe there is a great dealer near you. You really owe it to yourself to hear the differences between all of the topographies so that you can find out where you really are.

 

I remember vividly many, many moons ago when a very helpful dealer played a series of amplifiers for me, several tube and several solid state, in descending order of price. He played them through a very popular speaker at the time. My conclusion then: I couldn't hear much (if any) difference. He agreed. That made me feel great.

 

Then, he repeated the same exercise with a pair of exceptional speakers...everything else the same. Same descending order of price, etc, etc. The sonic differences between the amps was striking, astonishing actually. The dealer knew what he was doing. He was a WWII era radio operator, had started a radio repair shop post WWII and evolved it into a fine hifi shop which made it into a third generation. His moral to the story was to pick the speaker you like and then if you can't tell the differences between the amplifiers, relax and buy the least expensive amplifier whose sound met your goals.  His BIG advice though was just because you can't hear the difference doesn't mean there isn't a difference, it just means your speakers aren't up to the task.  He added that if I ever intended to upgrade the speakers then always buy the best electronics that you can afford at the time to ensure the speaker upgrade down the road would have the chance to pay dividends.

 

No offense intended @mozartfan but if you can't hear the differences of all of the vast array of amplification varietals that you have implied you have experienced first hand, then it isn't the amplifiers, its more than likely your speakers aren't up to the task of revealing the differences. You should be celebrating though! If you like your speakers and all of the amps sound similar to your ears and you are happy with the sound then pat yourself on the back!!! You found happiness and can achieve it for an exceptional value. @atmasphere is an amazing resource, he is an absolute expert when he is talking about amplifier design (not just OTL's but generally all topologies). He would be the first to tell you if you are happy with the sound, then stop. He would also tell you that amplifiers sound different and if you don't hear the differences then its probably the transducers.  

 

I recognize, however, that you may be more likely than not going to argue with me and say that it can't possibly be your speakers...in that case, enjoy the solo wrestling match. Warm regards and happy holidays.

Now I agree dual FR makes no sense whatsoever, Its a  completely ridiculous idea,,a  single is really all you need. Duals can make confusion in the sound waves,, 2 VC's bouncing off each other all muddy, convoluted, distorted, just a  blob of ,,poop..

But for some reason I like the sound of this poop system. 

..

The opinion in this video reflects my own subjective reaction to the 2A3.

KT type tube  offers wonderful colors, imagery, low distortion, no coloration, no fatigue.

I know this fora  fact hearing the DEfy7.

But if It came down to chosing one or the other,,I'd have to chose the 2A3 as my premier system. 

Bass are near equal, highs a tad superior in the 2A3, buts its in the midrange where the 2A3 opens up recordings that a  KT series tube just does not make happen.

 

2A3 beats out the KT series tube, EL34,88,120, 150

If you feel offrended by any of the comments in my video, just disregard and move on.

Its only my opinion and 2$'s ,,,which ...will get you a  only just a   Starbucks $2 cofee.

 

And no I ain't budging on my opinion.

 

 

 

KT type tube offers wonderful colors, imagery, low distortion, no coloration, no fatigue.

I know this fora fact hearing the DEfy7.

Jadis Is not the only one to make amps based on the KT88. You might want to hear a Harmon Kardon Citation 2 prior to saying you know how a KT88 sounds. Keep in mind this comes from a manufacturer that has only made triode power amps (and now also a class D amp...).

Regarding your speakers, what you are experiencing is that there is some destructive cancellation that is happening in your system because of the spacing of the drivers. This is actually helping prevent some of the more painful comb filtering that can otherwise occur when two such drivers are placed side by side. I’ve heard speakers set up this way. They are not bad, but seriously are not the last word in resolution by any means. They are attractive IME because all you have to do is get them in a box, wire them up and sound comes out. But if you want to hear proper imaging out of them, your head needs to be in a vise so as to be held always in the right position...

The box in the image above this post looks as if its ported. Did you do anything to prevent slap echos inside the box?

@mozartfan Hey it's great you like your system so much at the end of the day that's really all that matters. Don't think folks here are arguing or disagreeing merely sharing our experiences with many different amps. My previous amp was a pushpull el34 amp triode wired and Class A with vintage output transformers it sounded fantastic. My current pp 2a3 amp also sounds fantastic but different it's also triode wired and class A different vintage output transformers. It's about the tubes and everything else in the circuit not to mention the circuit itself. Happy listening!

sound comes out. But if you want to hear proper imaging out of them, your head needs to be in a vise so as to be held always in the right position... The box in the image above this post looks as if its ported. Did you do anything to prevent slap echos inside the box? ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Thats correct, Just get any old speaker box, say 50 liter give a take 10 liters,,,slap a pice of ply over the front with a W8 + W6 hole cut,,and your-good-to-go. a bit of attaic insulation, actually i need to add some more along the walls, Cut ya a port, any size you wish. Shes goodtogo. The head in one exact spot deal you are refering to pertains to the Tang band 2145 and the smaller brothers in this same design. Its beams. Bass is near identical to the DL wood cone, ,,well I should say close,,,mids are close,l highs are a bit better in the TB2145. But it has a baeming issue,,which I could never accept. These DL's have zero beaming. Nada These DL's are basically the Legendary Coral Beta 8's reborn. Like the old Phoenix in the Fire resurrection. The DIYers will never accept my dual things. While others might hate my speakers, I love them. Truly a Frankenstein. \ Carlson(the famous YT tech master) in his lab, might test and find they are loaded with breakups, distortions, colorations, all fatigue-ing, no fidelity.