Ron’s New System

[bonzo75]

agree.

flow, nuance and note completion is enhanced by more pure simpler signal paths. some solid state can certainly deliver lots of authority and weight. but over time some prefer when the musical flow triumphs over the slightly strangling 'artifacts' of heavy weight circuits. these are matters of taste and preference. no one correct choice. the question is the musical immersion connection over time.

Resolution is very clear, i hear more recording details through certain type of systems done well. So much is lost when a system requires an amp to do complex phase corrections, handle impedance drops, in sensitivity mismatches of drivers, etc etc. At 105 db flat impedance everything aligned, the slightest shift of weight of hand on the bow can be heard

 

[Lagonda]

Hegel P30A

A mid priced SS preamp ? Did you sell your VTL ? Try running your Io balanced directly.

 

[PeterA]

Incorrect. And I am not referring to the specific brands you chose but the theme of presenting a high res powerful SS amp as more resolution than a SET. I have heard a few systems with Boulder 2160 including comparing the amp, and while it is a high resolution amp, the system resolution has always been quite poor compared to good analog playing through a low watt set into highly efficient speakers with simple crossovers. Because the latter is more closer to straight wire as compared to putting loads of junk in the middle of the signal path

Correct. Ron is looking at the preamps in isolation, not in the context of the rest of the system without which the preamps can not make a sound. To take his "non-partisan" certainty of the claim seriously, we need to know the context in which the "observable fact" was "subjectively impressed" upon the listener. And was it presenting pop girl playing guitar on an '80s recording?

 

[bonzo75]

Try running your Io balanced directly.

Why would you run the phono directly when you can connect it via the Gryphon woofers