Powered speakers show audiophiles are confused

@donavabdear ,

I am not up on all the latest in home audio equipment to even begin to spend $200K, and it would definitely take a good review of the space, understand what potential acoustic issues there are, etc.

However, before throwing out the baby with the bath water, maybe we need to change the water first?  One comment on the tubes, I am not an expert on them, but I thought the tubes in pre-amps or pre-amp sections could last 10 years? That does not seem like much of a hassle if you like the sound.

Just a quick perusal. You only have a single left and right balanced output, which I assume is going to the amplifier? What are you running to the sub? One of the unbalanced outputs? Those are not the quietest outputs, but not the worst.
 

- The amplifier gain (Stereophile) is high and you can't control it

- The noise on unbalanced outputs of the preamp is high, but looks like about 90db on the balanced. Not solid state, but not awful

- The output level of the preamp is high (and looks like that may be where the SNR is done)

- You probably have a ground loop to your sub. Isolation transformer to power your sub, audio isolation transformer to isolate the single ended connection if that is what you have

- With the amp gain so high, you need to gain up your sub to match, making the buzz/noise worse.

Your amp is MOSFET output, so it won't behave like a regular tube amplifier with output transformers and tube amp output resistance. I think that is what that Sunfire was trying to emulate. Maybe its the distortion of the tube preamp you like, maybe the tube section of the amp, maybe the two together, or maybe something completely different.  I think I would start with a new SS pre-amp with lots of balanced outputs including one for the subs/mono and preferably one that lets you set the relative outputs.   With your budget, I am sure you could get a loner.  I would start with something with really low distortion and noise floor. Maybe you will like it, but at least it will give you a baseline.

As for the $200K budget first check out the Sunfire amp to see if you get the "toobie goodness" without the tubes. After biamping the 9H’s use the current source connections (at 400w a channel) on your CC and surrounds.

Please start a build thread for the rest, not really appropriate for a thread on powered speakers.

Review on the Sunfire 7401:

The so-called "current sources" with big internal resistance modulate the work of a tube amp. But you can switch to Voltage Source connectors - in this case the amplifier will work as a voltage source with minimal internal resistance and as a consequence maximal damping of the load.

We started the test with "current" terminals. The device immediately conquered by sonority and a completely smooth musical balance. It has a tremendous energy in the area of the lowest "seismic" basses and elaborates very well overhangs. But TGA-7401 didn’t surprise by absolute dynamics. Yeah, this device can provide a clear sound at the most powerful levels, but - without fiery temperament. The sound here is relaxed and open, rich and calm. It’s amazing but having such a phlegmatic character, the sound can’t be called slow. The device conveys the relief of drums accurately, deeply digs for each harmonic and is able to give copper, entrancing by its brightness, naturalness and beauty. It is really special. It’s hard to remember an amplifier from this price category, which not only gladdens by detailing but also by exceptional harmonic resolution in the uppercase. Each played plate is unique and inimitable in Sunfire!

An interesting metamorphosis occurs at switching speaker system to Voltage source terminals. Bass is slightly offloaded and accelerated, overhangs become shorter and more sharp, but the energy doesn’t weaken but as if brightens. Yes, the sound picture turns out to be less somatic, but more transparent and better detailed. This mode is good when you want to get the purest transmission of sound atmosphere as well as the most accurate scene.

http://www.hifi-review.com/152484-sunfire-tga-7401.html

@kota1, @donavabdear amplifier, the BHK300, is not a tube amplifier. It has a tube input stage. The output is a high bias MOSFET AB. The damping factor is 100. That is not very high for a solid state amplifier, but would be very high for a tube amplifier. The Sunfire 7401 is 150 in voltage source mode and 8 in current source mode. The Persona 9H drops to 2.4 ohms. It has low impedance dips at a few spots. That is not a speaker I would want with a damping factor 8 amplifier.

@thespeakerdude

I am not up on all the latest in home audio equipment to even begin to spend $200K,

+1 (+10!)🤣

@donavabdear

Please start a build thread so we can get started, it should be a great thread when you see how many ideas you get from other members. I have some things I feel are KEY before you do anything. You have a dual space and if you get the mixing space wrong it will not only cost you budget, it will cost you income! See you in the new thread when you are ready but I recommend scoring that amp ASAP.

I admit my limitations as opposed to doing no research and recommending an out of production amplifier not suited to the system. Run that amp in the constant current mode and you would add new +/- 3db peaks/valleys to the frequency response that are not currently there

@donavabdear , creating a separate topic makes sense. Are you planning to add room correction to this system, or just keep it the way it is?

kota1

1,224 posts

02-06-2023 at 12:58pm

@thespeakerdude

I am not up on all the latest in home audio equipment to even begin to spend $200K,

+1 (+10!)🤣