ignore budget considerations, use only sonic for the below answers.

Case Study 1

If you are a digital only guy, and you realize TTs and tape decks are playing midrange, or whatever you give sonic weight to, better (for you) than your digital. This requires you to rearrange some elements in the chain. Should you shift

Case Study 2

If you have FR 64s and Koetsu, and realize you prefer the sound of vdh on SME. You then realize Koetsu does not work well on SME, and vdh does not work well on FR 64. You rate FR 64 higher as arm, but prefer overall the SME+VDH combo. Should you shift?

Case study 3

You have a speaker that works well with Krell. You realize 300b amps sound bad on your speaker, but can drive another speaker, and the midrange, weight (or whatever attributes you favor) of that combo is much better than Krell with your speaker. Should you shift?

Hint: Answer is always yes

Which is why it is better to listen to Kondo Gakuon on another suitable speaker rather than Pendragons.
 
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ignore budget considerations, use only sonic for the below answers.

Case Study 1

If you are a digital only guy, and you realize TTs and tape decks are playing midrange, or whatever you give sonic weight to, better (for you) than your digital. This requires you to rearrange some elements in the chain. Should you shift

Case Study 2

If you have FR 64s and Koetsu, and realize you prefer the sound of vdh on SME. You then realize Koetsu does not work well on SME, and vdh does not work well on FR 64. You rate FR 64 higher as arm, but prefer overall the SME+VDH combo. Should you shift?

Case study 3

You have a speaker that works well with Krell. You realize 300b amps sound bad on your speaker, but can drive another speaker, and the midrange, weight (or whatever attributes you favor) of that combo is much better than Krell with your speaker. Should you shift?

Hint: Answer is always yes

Which is why it is better to listen to Kondo Gakuon on another suitable speaker rather than Pendragons.
Well written Ked!

I agree… most important thing is to match the right gear to one and other. Even lower price products can sound better then more expensive ones if the lower price products is well matched and the more expensive components are not.

It is also the most difficult thing in hifi to do.. -to find and match the perfect gear together.

/ Jk
 
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Well written Ked!

I agree… most important thing is to match the right gear to one and other. Even lower price products can sound better then more expensive ones if the lower price products is well matched and the more expensive components are not.

It is also the most difficult thing in hifi to do.. -to find and match the perfect gear together.

/ Jk

Imo, too many audiophiles think that it is right to compare things only in their system at home. “In my home! Where my wife sleeps! Where my children play! In my home!”

Not understanding that matching incorrectly is a pointless demo. And this is valid only if budget constraint is such that you can afford only swap of the one component, and no other change, to fit into your system.
 
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Imo, too many audiophiles think that it is right to compare things only in their system at home. “In my home! Where my wife sleeps! Where my children play! In my home!”

Not understanding that matching incorrectly is a pointless demo. And this is valid only if budget constraint is such that you can afford only swap of the one component, and no other change, to fit into your system.

Sometimes one needs to replace major components and sometimes the entire system. I learned a lot when comparing the 18 W SET to the 100 watt solid-state hybrid from the same company on my old, inefficient speakers. I was convinced I had to change my speakers too.

I think it’s going to be hard to claw those massive four tower speakers from Ron’s system. He is very satisfied with the sound of his system as are all of his visitors.
 
Imo, too many audiophiles think that it is right to compare things only in their system at home. “In my home! Where my wife sleeps! Where my children play! In my home!”

Not understanding that matching incorrectly is a pointless demo. And this is valid only if budget constraint is such that you can afford only swap of the one component, and no other change, to fit into your system.
Yes Sir, it is indeed so ;) !
 
ignore budget considerations,
[...]

Armchair reasoning from someone who doesn't even have a system!

Per the expression by XV-1 we are still waiting for KABAS.
 
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1. Meddle
2. Wish You Were Here
3. Animals
4 . Dark Side Of The Moon
 
I think it’s going to be hard to claw those massive four tower speakers from Ron’s system. He is very satisfied with the sound of his system as are all of his visitors.

And there is no reason why Ron should get rid of his massive four tower speakers. Unlike you and Ked, who engage in armchair reasoning, I actually have heard these speakers.

Are they perfectly suited to my own taste? No, but I can see how they are very much to Ron's taste. It's always dangerous to judge other systems strictly according to one's own taste without allowing for, and understanding, the owner's taste.

But then there are those self-centered, absolutist dogmatists who think that all systems need to be their way.
 
And there is no reason why Ron should get rid of his massive four tower speakers. Unlike you and Ked, who engage in armchair reasoning, I actually have heard these speakers.

Are they perfectly suited to my own taste? No, but I can see how they are very much to Ron's taste. It's always dangerous to judge other systems strictly according to one's own taste without allowing for, and understanding, the owner's taste.

But then there are those self-centered, absolutist dogmatists who think that all systems need to be their way.

What armchair reasoning? Ron has been initiating amplifier discussions on his system thread and changes he would like to make for pages and pages now. This is his decision and his reasoning with help from Phil. I’ve stayed completely out of those discussions.

I never claimed to hear Ron‘s system nor have I ever claimed he should change it. He sounds very happy with it as do you. I’ve spoken to him about his speakers for years and I’m convinced he’s not going to sell them. I am not suggesting he sell them. I would not begin to suggest what he might possibly like more than them. These are his ideas for his subjective taste goals. No idea what you’re talking about.

I am simply supporting Kadar‘s comments about component matching. I learned that first hand in my own system. Some thing I can actually talk about.

Kadar has a lot of experience mixing and matching and auditioning gear all over the world. Ron seems to be asking for a lot of advice regarding these amplifiers and tubes and power.

I know enough to never suggest you change away from your mini monitors and that Ron never move away from his massive four tower panel speakers.
 
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Armchair reasoning from someone who doesn't even have a system!

Per the expression by XV-1 we are still waiting for KABAS.
or someone who gives armchair views on all videos without sharing one.

Just fyi, I don’t have a system and share system videos, and you have a system and don’t have the confidence to share videos – so the joke’s on you, in case you were laughing.
 
Ron has been initiating amplifier discussions on his system thread and changes he would like to make for pages and pages now.
Exactly - Al seems to want to wage his own personal mind noise battles everywhere, ignoring Ron's very recent posts over the last day on these various amps.
 
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He should on his own. But if he cannot swing it to do on his own speaker. Thought that was obvious.

And he shouldn’t compare inappropriate amps on his speakers and make a judgement about them
Who are you to say what is inappropriate on such a ribbon driver? There are at least two of us on this forum with significant experience with BG drivers that KNOW they work well with lower powered amps and SETs... One doesn't really know what is in appropriate until it is tried...I and one other member have tried and found lower powered amps (I went down to 30 watt SET...he has gone down significantly lower in power) work just fine.
 
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Who are you to say what is inappropriate on such a ribbon driver? There are at least two of us on this forum with significant experience with BG drivers that KNOW they work well with lower powered amps and SETs... One doesn't really know what is in appropriate until it is tried...I and one other member have tried and found lower powered amps (I went down to 30 watt SET...he has gone down significantly lower in power) work just fine.

And you have visitors saying his speaker is not showing enough headroom on 100w push pulls
 
Honestly cannot say as I haven’t heard the Jadis SETs.

Sorry, my question was garbled.

I meant to ask:

How do you think the VAC 70/70 sounds compared to Jadis JA80/100/120?

How do you think the VAC 70/70 sounds compared to 845 PSET such as Absolare or MastersounD?
 
Whatever you choose, I must say I am enjoying reading about the process and developments Ron. I wish you well on this journey!
Thank you!
 
what about theese
200w in pentode or 90 in triode mode
new KT150

Thank you, but I want to stay with Class A. I very seriously considered Allnic A-10000.
 
ignore budget considerations, use only sonic for the below answers.

Case Study 1

If you are a digital only guy, and you realize TTs and tape decks are playing midrange, or whatever you give sonic weight to, better (for you) than your digital. This requires you to rearrange some elements in the chain. Should you shift

Case Study 2

If you have FR 64s and Koetsu, and realize you prefer the sound of vdh on SME. You then realize Koetsu does not work well on SME, and vdh does not work well on FR 64. You rate FR 64 higher as arm, but prefer overall the SME+VDH combo. Should you shift?

Case study 3

You have a speaker that works well with Krell. You realize 300b amps sound bad on your speaker, but can drive another speaker, and the midrange, weight (or whatever attributes you favor) of that combo is much better than Krell with your speaker. Should you shift?

Hint: Answer is always yes

Which is why it is better to listen to Kondo Gakuon on another suitable speaker rather than Pendragons.

Thank you for this. Valid make sense to me, but I don't understand why it is "better to listen to Kondo Gakuon on another suitable speaker rather than Pendragons."
 
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I very seriously considered Allnic A-10000.
Can you please clarify seriously considered?

1. Heard it at a show
2. Heard it on a system
3. heard it and compared in one system
4. heard it and compared with multiple speakers
5. Messaged random forum member about it and asked
6. Messaged forum member with tastes aligned and asked
7. Read review
8. Thought hard about it in absence of listening to it.
 
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And you have visitors saying his speaker is not showing enough headroom on 100w push pulls

And Ron asks for a lot of advice and solicits his visitors opinions for his decisions. Al seemed to like Ron's system sound very much. And yet Ron is searching and asking advice openly about changes. He is not satisfied somewhere. He said he was very happy with the VTLs, but now is searching for something different, something that will satisfy him more. We all do that. It is normal in this hobby.

Ron started out thinking vinyl would be his main source and digital for visitors and tape for special occasions, if I remember correctly. Now he seems to be playing tape mostly, digital quite often and turntable occasionally. After seven years waiting to hatch his system, he is listening and evolving his opinions. That seems pretty normal to me. I commend Ron for his openness and sharing and solicitations. Many people are reading this thread and enjoying it.
 
ignore budget considerations, use only sonic for the below answers.

Case Study 1

If you are a digital only guy, and you realize TTs and tape decks are playing midrange, or whatever you give sonic weight to, better (for you) than your digital. This requires you to rearrange some elements in the chain. Should you shift

Case Study 2

If you have FR 64s and Koetsu, and realize you prefer the sound of vdh on SME. You then realize Koetsu does not work well on SME, and vdh does not work well on FR 64. You rate FR 64 higher as arm, but prefer overall the SME+VDH combo. Should you shift?

Case study 3

You have a speaker that works well with Krell. You realize 300b amps sound bad on your speaker, but can drive another speaker, and the midrange, weight (or whatever attributes you favor) of that combo is much better than Krell with your speaker. Should you shift?

Hint: Answer is always yes

Which is why it is better to listen to Kondo Gakuon on another suitable speaker rather than Pendragons.

I totally understand what you are saying: you think I don't, but I promise I do.

But I simply am asking a different question.

I am not trying to get to a higher indifference curve with a different speaker/amp combination. I am not trying to solve an equation seeking maximum upper bass to lower midrange weightiness.

I am trying to figure out which amplifier on my existing loudspeakers (which I think are the best loudspeakers for me -- in other words switching to a different speaker reduces my happiness) "maximizes upper bass to lower midrange weightiness," or, alternatively, "maximizes the sum of upper bass to lower midrange weightiness and midrange purity," without dropping below the minimum power/drive threshold.
 

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