2. amps-preamps
  3. 182083-1614

SET Distortion at higher volumes?

If my SET amp is running out of power with my 96db speakers, does it create distortion that sounds like a record mistracking? I'm trying to track down an issue I'm having at anything over medium levels. I'm getting a high end distortion. Happens at high frequency or energy vocal and horn and piano passages.

dhcod
fuzztone's avatar
fuzztone
5,633 posts
 

Tube dampers dull the sound for me.

charles1dad's avatar
charles1dad
10,250 posts
 

The problem was traced to the tonearm. The amplifier is not the culprit.

Charles

yoyoyaya's avatar
yoyoyaya
784 posts
 

We can tolerate lots of even order tube generated harmonic distortion before sound becomes obviously distorted. Lots of digital pop and rock recordings are mastered using tube compressors or other tube signal processors that generat harmonic distortion in to make them sound fatter and more "analogue".

 

clearthinker's avatar
clearthinker
1,582 posts
 

@dhcod 

Very pleased to hear your issue is solved.

But I am very intrigued by tonearm originated distortion that presents at high volume but not at low volume.  Can you elaborate please?

dhcod OP
710 posts
 

Not idea really. Swapped in a new arm and it went away. I'm just glad it went away.

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