What do you think of this video

What do you think of this video. And this is not directed to those who think every mobile phone video is trash, thanks. Please listen to the end for the brass and the woodwinds

 

Okay last one Organ CD 10 W/ch.

I dont really need more power on these speakers.
Besides the speakers its very important to have a good DAC / pre amp (you can get good sound with various power amps )

 

Did you notice any change of the amps after warming up?

 

Did you notice any change of the amps after warming up?

Difficult to say , slightly better i suppose as it ads a bit more warm glow to the music .
I m positively surprised how good it sounds / controls the speakers .
I do need to put the volume to 10 -11 o clock but thats about it.
The sound stage is further back then with the CAT amp

 

Besides the speakers its very important to have a good DAC / pre amp (you can get good sound with various power amps )

I agree with this entirely ! The source is the most important part of the set. The speakers need to be in "accordance" with the room... but are also very important for the "creating" of the sound not so much for the detail.
The power amp need to be able to drive the speakers without adding anything (almost an impossible task as high speed, high current and micro signals come together on a complex load). The preamp has a questionable task (unthankfull task) as most line level sources are no longer "line level".
Line level - Wikipedia
So first we deminish the signal in order to amplify it again (adding "noise" by nature).
Gain stage - Wikipedia

 

The sound stage is further back then with the CAT amp

I think that is a good sign. The further back the sound stage is the less "speaker" you will hear. But it surprises me a bit as the CAT is a tube amp (i generally give it more credit beeing spaceous).

 

The power amp need to be able to drive the speakers without adding anything (almost an impossible task as high speed, high current and micro signals come together on a complex load). The preamp has a questionable task (unthankfull task) as most line level sources are no longer "line level".

They say CH precision is the bomb in that regard .
In my view the pre amp is the cornerstone of a system .
If you have that wrong you ll be swapping cables all your life

 

If you have that wrong you ll be swapping cables all your life

That is true as we cannot change the "personality" of a device we tend to compensate with cables and gadgets (audio vodoo and shamanistic rituals)... instead of dealing with it !
I had a visitor yesterday from Italy and we had the same discussion (as always LOL). After hours of listening he mentioned that even the music was at a high level we still could talk and the music was not "interfering" with our conversation nor did he get tired of listening for so long.

 

If i had a shop , i would like to have a whole variety of top pre amps
I d wanna define the sound with a top pre , power amp is of lesser concern imv.
On a easy to drive speaker that is where power is no issue

 

I d wanna define the sound with a top pre , power amp is of lesser concern imv.

If you are interested we can try a lot of different amp concepts (OTL, Zotl, SET, PP you name it as i have all available to "play" with...
Transistor amps is not in my portfolio... ( i have a Threshold preamp as SS reference to show how "bad" SS amps are, i hope i am not offensive to Nelson Pass by saying this as he is a nice guy and is doing a lot for the DIY community).
My preamp is also top priority but second to my DAC. It needs 15 tubes for the gain stages (4 mono stages as it is a balanced system) and 3 tubes for the power regulation.

 

If you are interested we can try a lot of different amp concepts (OTL, Zotl, SET, PP you name it as i have all available to "play" with...
Transistor amps is not in my portfolio... ( i have a Threshold preamp as SS reference to show how "bad" SS amps are, i hope i am not offensive to Nelson Pass by saying this as he is a nice guy and is doing a lot for the DIY community).

Sure , i m certainly interested .
If i have a shop in may be 1-2 years bring em in .
As long as there is no DC on the out put / they are solidly designed
I remember also a DIY person in NL who designed a tube amplifier around a absolutely massive output tube .
I cant find pics on the net but it was a stunner

 

BTW the signal cables i use and advice is this:
LIYCY 4x0,14 grau, 0,14mm², LIYCY, shielded - elpro Elektronik

Very "neutral", can be used as balanced or unbalanced cable (cross selecting and 1 side shield connection).

 

I remember also a DIY person in NL who designed a tube amplifier around a absolutely massive output tube .

Here in the NL we have many DYI'ers and that is a good thing...
Unfortunately i do not see much progress in the designs as such more in the choice of components (bigger and heavier is the trend). Exotic components that i think will add some magic but do not justify the prices asked.
On critical places in an amp i also use Vishay 0-TC resistors and teflon caps etc. if these components will add to the audio quality, but in most cases they just don't.

My smalles tube power amp can deliver a whopping 2.5W @4Ohm (balanced inputs) and will change your view of any power amp. Direct heated pentodes (ultra linear) powered by a 12 adapter.

 

BTW the signal cables i use and advice is this:
LIYCY 4x0,14 grau, 0,14mm², LIYCY, shielded - elpro Elektronik

Very "neutral", can be used as balanced or unbalanced cable (cross selecting and 1 side shield connection).

Thank you for mentioning the cable type- I was going to ask...

Not to start anything, I am simply a believer that a good sound must be obtainable using decent professional cables ( as you have done ), if this is is not acheived then ( imho ) other issues exist. But after that if someone is into audiophile cables this is their choice

 

This cable is very reasonably priced as well (less then 70 Euro per 100m), so you can spend all your money on the best connectors LOL... some nice nylon (sorry... silk or artisan rice paper it should be haha) braiding to hide the ugliness...

 

My smalles tube power amp can deliver a whopping 2.5W @4Ohm (balanced inputs) and will change your view of any power amp. Direct heated pentodes (ultra linear) powered by a 12 adapter.

Nice picture , but the one i was referring to was a much bigger design and was built by someone around rotterdam .

2.5W @4Ohm

Thats not gonna work on my speakers though , you have to be in the horn camp with those
I ve tried 8 watt set , but that didn t cut it , even though the transformers were much larger then the one in the hawk

Pic , Hawk A 18 , i bought the kit parts and made the amp , the housing i made from sheet metal with an external heatsink .

I d love to hear / get my hands on the Hawk audio A 50 hybrid design mono blocs from the late John vd sluis , but they are never for sale

 

Pic

 

Thats not gonna work on my speakers though

You will be surprised ! SRV will sound nice at night ....
Just to experience the oppsosite from what you would expect. That is what i like to do... confuse people... and make them re-think, then all options are "open" again..

 

Pic

OMG ! i think i have the PCB's in house somewhere.... i will chck it for you...

 

Guys no offence but this was a video thread the OT discussion has gone too long now. Andro, can you please start a thread on your system and move relevant posts there?

 

Will do..