Ron’s New System

[Lagonda]

So these are the data points we have

1. Ron bought these speakers after he heard them with Gryphon amps
2. The Mono and Stereo guy used Vitus Masterpiece on them,
3.. The Indonseian/Singapore owner used Gryphon and CH. No other examples reported from owners, IIRC
4. Phil thinks lacks headroom with Jadis
5. Don thinks lacks headroom with Jadis
6. Mahler 3 video lacks headroom with Jadis

I would try the Thrax 100w hybrid.

I would also try Soulution preamp with hybrids and valve amps.

I also think this is a great opportunity for dealers reading this, to drive over to Ron's with a preamp and powerful SS amp. Ron will never do this demo himself, so just drive them over, plug them in for whatever your warm up period, and let Ron listen to them the next day. You might be able to surprise him and get a sale

But Ron is allergic to transistors !

 

[dan31]

But Ron is allergic to transistors !

But there are transistors in his preamp.

 

[Lagonda]

But there are transistors in his preamp.

Don't tell him !

 

[Ron Resnick]

But Ron is allergic to transistors !

Generally, yes. But I have transistors in the VTL preamp.

And I have a strong feeling I would like, maybe even love, the Absolare Hybrid monos.

 

[Alrainbow]

Areas cerate makes great hybrids
Try and get a demo of there big mono blocks

 

[Argonaut]

Hybrid monos.

Bingo !

 

[Ron Resnick]

Too many transistors . . . and pretty soon I'll be Marty!

 

[dan31]

Too many transistors . . . and pretty soon I'll be Marty!

Marty has some fine amplifiers you might really like in your system.

 

[Ron Resnick]

He has Gryphon Mephistos!

 

[gleeds]

He has Gryphon Mephistos!

Ron, if you are considering the alternatives to higher power SE lamps I am a huge fan of Absolare hybrids, however if you go with their amplifier I would suggest also considering one of their tube pre-amplifiers. The Eternum is their latest two chassis preamplifier, albeit I believe they still make their very fine original model as well.

Absolare also makes a wonderful 845 mono amplifier, a good option to the Viva Aurora's mentioned earlier. Still the combo suggested above may just get you there

Bias notwithstanding, don't forget the Trafomatic Elysium's and Tara 30a which are in another world entirely, perhaps the only rival being Robert Koda which alas does not offer a remote control.

 

[Salectric]

Another option is Emotive Audio Vita which is a push-pull 6550 with E-Linear circuitry.

vita_tigerimage (emotiveaudio.com)

I have a custom set of Vitas in my system. Excellent sound and ultra-reliable.

 

[KeithR]

just buy dart 468 mono blocks and move on to some other issue. likely the dart 108 Mk2 Stereo would also do it. stop listening to gear character and just listen to music. the darts get out of the way.

Ron’s heard the Dart 108 in my system compared to tube amps. Just like he has in yours I guess

 

[Mike Lavigne]

Ron’s heard the Dart 108 in my system compared to tube amps. Just like he has in yours I guess

that was the previous version 108. and mine he heard was the 458, not my current 468's.

i have no expectation that Ron would consider darTZeel. when he lists solid state amps he likes he never mentions darTZeel. obviously he has heard it. i still think it's the best choice for the job at hand. lots of linearity, control of the speaker, and micro dynamics with a tube like sound. but it's not my money. not expecting consensus. if Brad would not have denounced it i would have been disappointed. it's what he does. how many amps have been thrown out in this thread? pretty much everything. why not darTZeel?

 

[Ron Resnick]

Another option is Emotive Audio Vita which is a push-pull 6550 with E-Linear circuitry.

vita_tigerimage (emotiveaudio.com)

I have a custom set of Vitas in my system. Excellent sound and ultra-reliable.

Thank you, but I really don't care for 6550s.

 

[Ron Resnick]

Ron’s heard the Dart 108 in my system compared to tube amps. Just like he has in yours I guess

Keith is correct. I preferred the hint of tube wetness of the relatively non-tube-y LTA over the darTZeel 108 in direct comparison.

 

[Ron Resnick]

when he lists solid state amps he likes he never mentions darTZeel.

I'm glad you mentioned this, because it actually is a misimpression. DarTZeel and Gryphon are my two standard nominees when people ask for high-power solid-state recommendations. (I take Lloyd's word that Koda 160 is amazing, but I have no personal experience.)

I don't mention darTZeel for me personally, but I actually recommend darTZeel sometimes when the question comes up. For example, regarding Alexx Vs, I suggested investigating Absolare Hybrid Monos, darTZeel 468, Gryphon Mephisto, VAC 450 and VTL Siegfried II.

 

[Mike Lavigne]

I'm glad you mentioned this, because it actually is a misimpression. DarTZeel and Gryphon are my two standard nominees when people ask for high-power solid-state recommendations. (I take Lloyd's word that Koda 160 is amazing, but I have no personal experience.)

I don't mention darTZeel for me personally, but I actually recommend darTZeel sometimes when the question comes up. For example, regarding Alexx Vs, I suggested investigating Absolare Hybrid Monos, darTZeel 468, Gryphon Mephisto, VAC 450 and VTL Siegfried II.

point out where you have listed darTZeel as one of your favorite solid state amplifiers for your use. maybe it happened. not saying you don't respect it.

btw, you don't owe darTZeel anything, and i'm not offended by your perspective.

 

[Ron Resnick]

point out where you have listed darTZeel as one of your favorite solid state amplifiers for your use.

"I don't mention darTZeel for me personally"

 

[morricab]

that was the previous version 108. and mine he heard was the 458, not my current 468's.

i have no expectation that Ron would consider darTZeel. when he lists solid state amps he likes he never mentions darTZeel. obviously he has heard it. i still think it's the best choice for the job at hand. lots of linearity, control of the speaker, and micro dynamics with a tube like sound. but it's not my money. not expecting consensus. if Brad would not have denounced it i would have been disappointed. it's what he does. how many amps have been thrown out in this thread? pretty much everything. why not darTZeel?

I simply said they have a character because you claimed they didn’t…if that is what counts as denouncement these days…

 

[Ron Resnick]

I don't know much from solid-state but I have the sense that the darTZeel 458 is quite character-less (in a good, genuinely neutral way). (I have not heard the 468.)

I preferred the VAC 450 precisely because I preferred its (to my ears) more liquid (more tube-y) character.