Tube amp to hybrid switch

[Geoffcin]

Actually, Geoff, every one here except for RGA who uses tubes has ultralinear.

Yes, I figured it was by far the most popular, certainly it's the best bang for the buck.

I have heard other topologies that I enjoy, like the Atma-Sphere OTL's. Probably the only amp that I would trade my current one in for ;

http://www.atma-sphere.com/products/m60.html

Remarkable design and execution.

Of course if you have the cash and a really big air conditioner;

[poppachubby]

frenchmon, I think the scale thing is not working. I am saying that my SE40 is certainly less tubey than MacIntosh, if that gives you a barometer. With a 7/8, I was trying to convey that it ISN'T saturated so to speak.

[frenchmon]

frenchmon, I think the scale thing is not working. I am saying that my SE40 is certainly less tubey than MacIntosh, if that gives you a barometer. With a 7/8, I was trying to convey that it ISN'T saturated so to speak.

Oh ok. The Audio Research tubed preamp I listened to with a Mac tube amp was maybe a 4 on the scale...it was not saturated with coloration. But it was an older McIntosh...some say that has something to do with it....I don't know enough about them nor have I heard many Mac's to have an opinion.

[Mr Peabody]

Come on now, sometimes a BS word is necessary, it's very difficult to put sound into a description. As an example I remember discussing the Adcom gfa-5500 and Feanor used the word "earthy" to describe the sound. Earthy sounds pretty strange to describe sound but if you've heard the amp "earthy" really hit the nail on the head as the amp was dark with a unique signature that earthy came as close to anything I've heard to describe it.

[Geoffcin]

Come on now, sometimes a BS word is necessary, it's very difficult to put sound into a description. As an example I remember discussing the Adcom gfa-5500 and Feanor used the word "earthy" to describe the sound. Earthy sounds pretty strange to describe sound but if you've heard the amp "earthy" really hit the nail on the head as the amp was dark with a unique signature that earthy came as close to anything I've heard to describe it.

Here's the problem; "Earthy" may mean something totally different to different people. From the smell of a newly planted field, to the scent of a dirt floored cellar. Trying to stick to words that have as close to standard meanings in the context that they are used is the hallmark of good reviewing. These words like "holistic" and "earthy are so vague that you might as well be casting a horoscope rather than doing a review. Good reviewers ban words like that from their reviews.

So, I'll have my SS glace' with a dollop of tube caramel please!

[RGA]

Here's the problem; "Earthy" may mean something totally different to different people. From the smell of a newly planted field, to the scent of a dirt floored cellar. Trying to stick to words that have as close to standard meanings in the context that they are used is the hallmark of good reviewing. These words like "holistic" and "earthy are so vague that you might as well be casting a horoscope rather than doing a review. Good reviewers ban words like that from their reviews.

So, I'll have my SS glace' with a dollop of tube caramel please!

Yes but if you bothered to read the entire review you would get a good sense of the way he felt about both stereos. To focus on one word is the same as the morons who find one mistake in one minor point in a 5000 point theory and then discount the entire thing because they don't happen to like the stance taken as it doesn't fit with their own "lack of experience" but assumptions. Most people who get on that maker do so because if it is in fact true that they are "right" then that means a big chunk of their long time belief systems will crack. A lot of people who spend tens of thousands of dollars don't want to believe they threw their money away on comparative rubbish. That is why I give Kevin Credit. His belief was complete opposite - he trusted the measurements, he bought all the supposed "right" gear and yet he kept an open mind. Had some beat up less expensive gear delivered and it destroyed not only his mid-fi equipment masquerading as hi-fi but shattered all that he knew and accepted as the truth. Same gear did it to me.

He used the word Holistic - relating to or concerned with wholes or with complete systems rather than with the analysis of, treatment of, or dissection into parts

I have no problem with that term in audio. He is discussing Audio Note which is probably the only company in the industry (high end industry) that Truly looks at the "whole" (holistic) stereo system as one voice. Comparatively everyone else is building Frankenstein monsters that usually sound like Frankenstein looks. The word fits the company.

Far too many stereo systems sound like they're dissecting the album (when in reality it is usually the stereo sounding discombobulated into isolated parts. A holistic system sounds complete, of a piece, real whole. Nothing at all wrong with that term. In fact if one complains about that terms it's more than likely they have never heard a system that sounds "real," "whole," and "complete." The alternate is isolated separate out of step systems. Sounds like SS to me.

[theaudiohobby]

I have no problem with that term in audio. He is discussing Audio Note which is probably the only company in the industry (high end industry) that Truly looks at the "whole" (holistic) stereo system as one voice. Comparatively everyone else is building Frankenstein monsters that usually sound like Frankenstein looks. The word fits the company.

Please do not to go down that route again....thank you

[RGA]

Please do not to go down that route again....thank you

Digging up posts from 12 days ago - who is going down that route? Nice.



Removed offensive content

[jonathanpp]

Dear: Friends

Sorry to my limited english, but to my years of in search of best sounding amps, there is none that I feel can represent the best in terms of everything.

but, to me, if you'd want a full tube amp, that would be more of mid fluidity, more openess, and sweeter top end. depending on how you want your music to be..

but hybrid academy such as the kw musical fidelity (kilowatt series) will also be great in terms of dinamic swings and liveliness.

Of course one can not have all the benefits, but if you are looking for a stronger musical repro..go for the hybrid.. friend..

Thanks..
Jonathan
Singapore

[tube fan]

Playing the same records (yes, that means vinyl), on my system after going to the California Audio Show, I am surprised how much more realistic my system is compared to even the $400,000 systems at the show. For me, this means that the music simply seems to be IN my room.

[Jack in Wilmington]

Playing the same records (yes, that means vinyl), on my system after going to the California Audio Show, I am surprised how much more realistic my system is compared to even the $400,000 systems at the show. For me, this means that the music simply seems to be IN my room.

You are a very lucky man. Most people go to audio shows and hear gear that sounds much better than they have in there own system. But you get what you can afford and upgrade when you can. Just getting into tubes myself, I feel I have opened up a whole new sound that I had not previously heard.

Oh and tube fan, I wanted to tell you that when you mentioned the Albinoni LP that you had with you at the California show. I had never heard of it before and with your discription, I thought it was worth checking out. A couple days later I get a E-Mail ad from Elusive Disc and there is your LP second one down in the ad. Solid recommendation. Thanks