Tube gear, I understa
nd SE..not for solid state though.
There are quite a few balanced tube units: ARC, BAT, VAC, etc. cj is the exception even in the tube world.
Tube gear, I understa
nd SE..not for solid state though.
Rob-It's awesome that your all tube system is quiet. That's a hard feat to pull off, especially if you are using a low output MC.
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Steve,
I understand your enthusiasm for your Lamm gear. Especially with the maker's guarantee of a full refund if the system is noisy!
My biggest issue with this balanced subject is it never gets ironed out in the chat rooms. I would suggest full disclosure! If a manufacturer wants to provide SE & balanced inputs/outputs on their gear, they should state whether the balanced inputs/outputs are truly balanced, or not.
Pass Labs did this with the Aleph 2 monoblocs. Nelson Pass specifically states in the owners manual, the amp is not balanced, but balanced inputs are provided for anyone who has balanced cables & prefers to use them.
There is a Threshold preamp on Audiogon right now. The seller states that it has balanced outputs. Well yes, it does, but no they aren't truly balanced. How many rookie audiophiles will buy a piece like this, and then purchase premium balanced cables, only to find out later it does them no good to go balanced?
As far as single ended gear goes, my favorite tube gear is the earlier (non current) CJ gear. I think it sounds great! Living here in Phoenix, tubes are just not a viable option for me, in the summer, due to heat.
My current system consists of the Electrocompaniet EMC-1Up, Pass XP-30, Rowland 625, Avalon Avatars, and James EMB-1200 subs. I'm very happy with it.
That's why I love this Doshi tape pre. It's one of the quietest pieces of tube gear I've (n)ever heard!
As for Spectral, it's just too big of an investment for someone having to change out amp, pre AND cables. Maybe if I were first starting out...
The problem with balanced is perfect circuit component matching, a virtual oxymoron by itself
With a Spectral preamp, it is possible to drive any kind of power amp, also.
Doesn't that void the warranty? Or just not using their cables??
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