Ron’s New System

[morricab]

T

Phil, 213cobra, reported hearing clipping from the amplifiers in triode mode playing Scheherazade at about 85dB. Even I would probably switch to tetrode mode to play big symphony orchestra classical music.

But this is another observation to suggest that my idea about high-powered SETs in the 120 to 140 watt range probably is not realistic l, and probably would go the way of MikeL's Lamm ML3s.

I listen to enough rock and classical that I'm not going want to be switching amplifiers every time I want to play Sarah McLachlan or Stevie Nicks or Jeff Buckley. I'm fine to just push a button and wait 150 seconds to switch between triode mode and tetrode mode on the VTLs.

Phil last night, like Don a week ago, hears with the Pendragons an SET-style sonic benefit of triode mode which neither of them heard on the Magnepans.

How many watts in triode mode? That seems rather unlikely…

 

[morricab]

Thank you, but I would never in a million years try 32 watts on 89dB sensitive speakers. I referred to the ML3s only as an analogy that 140 watt SETs to my speakers would be approximately like ML3s to Mike's speakers.

Why would you not try? As was stated it shoukd give you quite loud results before running out of steam, coupled to the fact it won’t have to do bass AND yours is a line source so SPL doesn’t drop as much with distance…you can basically add 3dB for that alone.

 

[Argonaut]

i'd comment on the video, or....maybe....even watch it. but i don't want to get my peepee whapped.

i sometimes consider watching a system video.......but......then.......lay down until the feeling passes.

View attachment 105588

I think actually these are Mullards I must've gotten for the input stage of the VTL amps. But there is no discernible writing on the inside on the tube. Does MM stand for Mullard?

Ron , If you could post a couple of images of the valves themselves rather than of the oem box we might be able to identify them…
MM marked on the box might feasibly denote Matsushita Mullard ! manufactured in Japan with either re located Mullard tooling or Japanese tooling made to Mullard specification depending on which version one believes .

 

[the sound of Tao]

You could help resolve this issue by borrowing somebody's reasonably transportable SET amp, not even of highest quality. You could even try putting the push pull on one channel and the SET on the other and volume equalizing, and see how the imaging changes as you go side to side. SET's I would hazard will never sound exactly like push pull of any pedigree.

I think Lamm ML3 would probably put you somewhere in a heaven on the ribbons that would make you not care any more about the technical niggles. That would already be somewhere pushing 100 db on the ribbons alone by RMS, much less transient response. The wild card is how well they perform in your volumetric space.

I do think SET and push pull tubes are a world’s apart and worth trying on your speakers Ron… each will involve constraints.

 

[christoph]

Phil, 213cobra, reported hearing clipping from the amplifiers in triode mode playing Scheherazade at about 85dB. Even I would probably switch to tetrode mode to play big symphony orchestra classical music.

But this is another observation to suggest that my idea about high-powered SETs in the 120 to 140 watt range probably is not realistic l, and probably would go the way of MikeL's Lamm ML3s.

I listen to enough rock and classical that I'm not going want to be switching amplifiers every time I want to play Sarah McLachlan or Stevie Nicks or Jeff Buckley. I'm fine to just push a button and wait 150 seconds to switch between triode mode and tetrode mode on the VTLs.

Phil last night, like Don a week ago, hears with the Pendragons an SET-style sonic benefit of triode mode which neither of them heard on the Magnepans.

That's the beauty of your amps, you can flip the switch according to the power requirements of your current music cravings

 

[the sound of Tao]

That's the beauty of your amps, you can flip the switch according to the power requirements of your current music cravings

Tho on reflection the idea of a pair of Eimac equipped Nat Magmas Ms is an even sexier thought … it seems it is we that are the sirens calling you ever towards the rocks…

 

[the sound of Tao]

That's the beauty of your amps, you can flip the switch according to the power requirements of your current music cravings

and Christoph you are a great lighthouse guiding Ron safely past those rocks… darn you lol

 

[Lagonda]

Tho on reflection the idea of a pair of Eimac equipped Nat Magmas Ms is an even sexier thought … it seems it is we that are the sirens calling you ever towards the rocks…

Yes, and listen to the wonderful creamy natural sound of her voice, even though it is a shitty digital recording played back by a lossy streaming system !

 

[christoph]

Tho on reflection the idea of a pair of Eimac equipped Nat Magmas Ms is an even sexier thought … it seems it is we that are the sirens calling you ever towards the rocks…

I would prefer that as well for Ron, maybe even rather the Drinas

 

[Ron Resnick]

T

How many watts in triode mode? That seems rather unlikely…

350 watts

SPL on Scheherazade might've been 90dB.

 

[morricab]

350 watts

SPL on Scheherazade might've been 90dB.

Definitely not clipping unless your amp is defective

 

[Ron Resnick]

Definitely not clipping unless your amp is defective

Phil heard what he described as an occasional "glassiness" which he attributed to approaching the clipping point.

 

[KeithR]

Definitely not clipping unless your amp is defective

I concur. The GL new issue tubes may be crappy sounding though.

 

[bonzo75]

in triode mode I would expect issues on full orchestral

 

[Argonaut]

Ribbons under stress …

 

[cjfrbw]

Over 112 db on the ribbons alone RMS @350 nominal watts? Issue needs to be called something else rather than clipping.

 

[morricab]

Phil heard what he described as an occasional "glassiness" which he attributed to approaching the clipping point.

How old are the tubes?

 

[morricab]

in triode mode I would expect issues on full orchestral

Why? 350 watts into an 89dB line source shoukd not be close to clipping at the levels Ron describes.

 

[the sound of Tao]

Yes, and listen to the wonderful creamy natural sound of her voice, even though it is a shitty digital recording played back by a lossy streaming system !

I’m not sure Ron is likely veering that far off his traditional course Milan lol

 

[bonzo75]

Why? 350 watts into an 89dB line source shoukd not be close to clipping at the levels Ron describes.

So changing to triode mode does not affect drive? The Ayon Orthos II, when run in triode mode on apogee duetta, would stop playing - actually stop - on Gnomus. On Pentode it would drive through.