SET amp owners thread

[Carlos269]

What did you prefer about the Aurora over the Lamm?

More transparent, wider bandwidth, that sort of thing. The Viva brought out more of what was on the recording. We had a set of our M-60s on hand for that comparison as well.

If possible try to locate the ViVA Aurora “T” version of the Monoblocks. This is a special version with a pair of VT-4-C (211) for rectifiers, a VT-4-C (211) driver , 845 output tube, and superior transformers and irons. This is the ones that Lloyd Walker preferred and which I own.

 

[Ron Resnick]

More transparent, wider bandwidth, that sort of thing. The Viva brought out more of what was on the recording. We had a set of our M-60s on hand for that comparison as well.

Thank you.

 

[Ron Resnick]

If possible try to locate the ViVA Aurora “T” version of the Monoblocks. This is a special version with a pair of VT-4-C (211) for rectifiers, a VT-4-C (211) driver , 845 output tube, and superior transformers and irons. This is the ones that Lloyd Walker preferred and which I own.

Interesting! I had not heard of that version!

 

[Ron Resnick]

If possible try to locate the ViVA Aurora “T” version of the Monoblocks. This is a special version with a pair of VT-4-C (211) for rectifiers, a VT-4-C (211) driver , 845 output tube, and superior transformers and irons. This is the ones that Lloyd Walker preferred and which I own.

Are you able to describe the differences in sound between the standard model with 845 rectifiers and the T version with 211 rectifiers?

 

[microstrip]

It was the 18 Watt unit using 6C33s. (...)

Fortunately it was not the 32 Watt using the GM70!

 

[Ron Resnick]

My friend had Viva new Autora

Is the "new" Aurora the T model to which Carlos referred?

 

[Carlos269]

Are you able to describe the differences in sound between the standard model with 845 rectifiers and the T version with 211 rectifiers?

No, I cannot. Never heard them with 845 rectifier tubes. If Bob at Profundo Audio is still around, reach out to him as he is the authority in the US when it comes to ViVA amplification.

 

[Atmasphere]

Fortunately it was not the 32 Watt using the GM70!

Yes. I don't like being around either one. The 6C33 is insanely hot and you can get Xrays from the GM70...

 

[Ron Resnick]

No, I cannot. Never heard them with 845 rectifier tubes. If Bob at Profundo Audio is still around, reach out to him as he is the authority in the US when it comes to ViVA amplification.

Thank you.

 

[bonzo75]

Is the "new" Aurora the T model to which Carlos referred?

the one that Gian is referring to replaced his viva with CH, on Alexandria X2S2. I heard that system before and after

 

[Lagonda]

the one that Gian is referring to replaced his viva with CH, on Alexandria X2S2. I heard that system before and after

And what did you think about the difference ?

 

[morricab]

Yes. I don't like being around either one. The 6C33 is insanely hot and you can get Xrays from the GM70...

Not sure how a blackbody radiator at a couple thousand degrees C emits x-rays. Please explain that…

 

[bonzo75]

And what did you think about the difference ?

both sounded like the Alexandria with some colour. One beautifying, one sterile. The CH with Stenheim sounded much better than both, and other SET based systems sounded better than all. So, you really need to match the amp to the speaker and have a good speaker

 

[Atmasphere]

Not sure how a blackbody radiator at a couple thousand degrees C emits x-rays. Please explain that…

I was being a bit tongue in cheek... but:

In a perfect world, it likely would not.

Its not the temperature, its the voltage. High voltage tubes, if subjected to high voltages, produce Xrays. Most are contained within the tube and at the voltages present with only 2000V or so, the production will be small. But some will escape the tube, since the plate has to be connected to the outside to get its voltage.

 

[DasguteOhr]

Not sure how a blackbody radiator at a couple thousand degrees C emits x-rays. Please explain that…

this is so candidate the 833 tube with 3kv anode voltage. then your wife can see what you had for lunch inside you..joke

 

[christensenleif@msn.com]

I was being a bit tongue in cheek... but:

In a perfect world, it likely would not.

Its not the temperature, its the voltage. High voltage tubes, if subjected to high voltages, produce Xrays. Most are contained within the tube and at the voltages present with only 2000V or so, the production will be small. But some will escape the tube, since the plate has to be connected to the outside to get its voltage.

baby light my fire I´m building GM-70 monos...1KV operating 100mA

 

[Rob181]

baby light my fire I´m building GM-70 monos...1KV operating 100mA

Would love to hear more about these - the GM-70 seems to be a tube that is largely ignored & I'm not sure why...

 

[morricab]

I was being a bit tongue in cheek... but:

In a perfect world, it likely would not.

Its not the temperature, its the voltage. High voltage tubes, if subjected to high voltages, produce Xrays. Most are contained within the tube and at the voltages present with only 2000V or so, the production will be small. But some will escape the tube, since the plate has to be connected to the outside to get its voltage.

GM70 runs at maybe 1300V max.

 

[DasguteOhr]

baby light my fire I´m building GM-70 monos...1KV operating 100mA

I would take a gu 80 pentode plays much more linear and less distortion.

AUDIO LOT СHALLENGE GU-80 Single Ended amplifier 100 watt Class A

AUDIO LOT СHALLENGE GU-80 Single Ended amplifier 100 watt Class A

audiolot.com.ua

 

[PeterA]

It was the 18 Watt unit using 6C33s.

Again this is just my opinion but the Viva seemed easier to listen to, being more lifelike. One of the ways it did that was to be more pronounced in the bass. The speakers we used we still have and are not the best speaker for SETs. They are 93dB 1 Watt/1 meter and 16 Ohms. The latter part good, the former, not so much.

Ralph, have you heard the original Lamm ML2 with an easier speaker load say, 16 ohms and 105dB? I ask because I have read your posts which suggest such SET amplifiers sound best when using less than 10% of their power rating for lowest distortion.