The one shootout I would have loved to do was with my previous Big 7. It was lovingly hand built by Lukasz.
Aries Cerat, Lampizator, Audio Research, Analysis Omega, Rockports
- Thread starter bonzo75
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The one shootout I would have loved to do was with my previous Big 7. It was lovingly hand built by Lukasz.
Well Ked, I know that you are extremely fond of the 242, and so you should but I can speak for myself, as I was sitting 95% of the time on the side.
Once the bias of the Kassandra was set properly for the panels, I asked literally 'where is the difference now?'. And that is before I knew I was allowed to crank the bias even further up to be still within the limits set forward by the manufacturer, possibly turning the tables.
It is one of the good things of the Kassandra that you can play and tune with the bias to get the sound you like personally and in line with the system. On Wednesday this proved to be a weak point as, like mentioned before, I am not (yet) very proficient in doing so.
Well Ked, I know that you are extremely fond of the 242, and so you should but I can speak for myself, as I was sitting 95% of the time on the side.
Once the bias of the Kassandra was set properly for the panels, I asked literally 'where is the difference now?'. And that is before I knew I was allowed to crank the bias even further up to be still within the limits set forward by the manufacturer, possibly turning the tables.
It is one of the good things of the Kassandra that you can play and tune with the bias to get the sound you like personally and in line with the system. On Wednesday this proved to be a weak point as, like mentioned before, I am not (yet) very proficient in doing so.
Just FYI, changing the bias does not increase or decrease the gain. It will affect tone and dynamics though.
The eternal balance between resolution and density...
Reason why I wrote earlier that the tonal accuracy and density and soundstage are as important as dynamics as focussing on the latter is one-sided!
Fully agree that tone is just as important if not more so. Finding gear that does both right is no mean feat!
Chris loves em. Just confirmed to me in a text.
Actually, Bonzo used to love the metal base 101d before as best on classical and now he says the 242 takes it up 2 to 3 notches and add heft as well. On the other hand, the dynamics of this tube is compelling on every genre.
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Was there any kind of measurement of the signal amplitudes when you swapped tubes and equipment?
I now see a great problem in the tube swapping listening sessions - if you do not control levels you will be mainly listening to the effect of changing loudness.
My systems are calibrated and in my listening I have found that sometimes a 1-2 dB difference is more than enough to reverse findings.
Micro, we did not keep a constant volume . We changed volumes while playing too. I know people like to audition both at a X db, I never do that. I already mentioned the example where with the 45s there was a difference at 4 or 5 of the volume control (which was a difference of 2db). All we can do is give our impressions, you are welcome to read and suggestion is obviously you try both, not buy one. As for the 242 vs the 45s, these experiences have been carried out in other systems as well. Nothing here is new.
Not really...Lampi people are pretty adept at evaluating tube characteristics whether output or recti.
Many prefer the PX4 to the PX25, desite the latter having much higher gain...others the opposite.
Gain play for most is irrelevant as people assess at their comfort zone dB level and over looong periods of time.
Exactly. But IMHO in short sessions, unless you control gain you will always set levels to favor your preferred. YMMV on this subject!
Well, I disagree with your caveat, but I can't show you what I mean unless we listen together.
This was the root for my question. When I review gear I set the level to within 1db with pink noise and calibrated microphone into my Behringer DEQ 24/96. Otherwise you will subconsciously stack things in favor of the one that you want to sound better. This means making it a few db too high in level as a simple case. Since Michel let Ked control the testing it is not too surprising the outcome and the findings are suspect.
Now, I don't know which DAC is better, having not heard the Kassandra... and I still don't have a good idea because of the way the demo was conducted.
Hi morricab,
I'm not sure that's a fair comment. I don't believe Bonzo nor Flyer's intention was to conduct a formal review. They simply got together to compare and contrast - perhaps it's best to think of it as an informal collection of impressions. At least, that's the way I read it.
Best,
853guy
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