OTL Asylum

Yeah, those 2-ohm ribbon speakers are ideal for an OTL

71.178.181.244

Lew

A

In Reply to: RE: ESLs and OTLs posted by Caucasian Blackplate on January 31, 2014 at 22:45:25

Not.
There is so little energy needed up beyond 10 kHz or so that I don't think the issues are "real" on those grounds. However, whether the amp can tolerate the reactance is another thing. In my experience, solid state amps often cannot. Transformer-coupled tube amps work but sound ho-hum. OTLs make the music on ESLs.

I just don't like any of the full-range ribbons I have heard. They are a bottom-up speaker; the bass is fine and the frequency response seems to roll off gradually from the bass region on up. Now if you have a dedicated "tweeter" ribbon, that can and does work nicely. I've just never felt compelled to make such a radical change.

Follow Ups:

RE: Yeah, those 2-ohm ribbon speakers are ideal for an OTL - morricab 14:32:10 02/03/14 (6)
Well the very best sound I got from the Acoustats was with my KR Audio VA350i...a transformer coupled tube amp. Various hybrid amps WITHOUT feedback also worked well. I think the big key was the lack of negative feedback.

Now, I have a Single ended OTL hybrid (tube input and driver and a single big Mosfet for the output stage...all direct coupled and of course zero feedback) and it drives everything without complaint and with rock solid stability.
- Moscode, or what? - Lew 12:58:40 02/04/14 (5)
  Moscode is a nice idea for sure. Have not heard one in many years.
  - RE: Moscode, or what? - morricab 09:42:50 02/05/14 (4)
    Nope, never heard a Moscode...are they actually any good? I have heard them with Sphinx Project 14 and 16, Conrad Johnson Evolution 2000, AcousticPlan Santor and KR Audio Kronzilla monos and VA350i.
    - RE: Moscode, or what? - Lew 06:48:32 02/06/14 (3)
      First of all, I did not take into account that you plainly stated the amplifier was "single-ended", so it could not have been a Moscode. Second, neither is the Kronzilla single-ended. So what SE amplifier that uses a single MOSFET for output are you referring to? Most of those on your list I have never heard of.
      
      Yes, IMO, Moscode amplifiers sound very good, not good enough to tempt me away from my Atma-sphere amps, but certainly good.
      - RE: Moscode, or what? - morricab 05:19:08 02/10/14 (2)
        
        In Reply to: RE: Moscode, or what? posted by Lew on February 06, 2014 at 06:48:32
        
        Hi Lew,
        Well actually the KR Audio Kronzilla is single ended...parallel single ended to be exact. They recently came out with a push/pull version, the DXL, but all the rest are Single ended hybrid (JFET/MOSFET input and driver and tube output).
        
        My amp, the NAT Symbiosis SE, is a Single ended hybrid with only a single MOSFET for the output stage and a tube input and tube driver stage.
        
        here is a link: http://www.nataudio.ch/cms/index.php?page=symbiosis-se-single-ended-integrated-amplifie
        
        There is a picture at the bottom of the page...mine looks identical.
        
        Wow!!! - Lew 10:40:39 02/10/14 (1)
        
        In Reply to: RE: Moscode, or what? posted by morricab on February 10, 2014 at 05:19:08
        
        What a cool idea. I would love to hear one. How does it compare to Kronzilla?
        
        RE: Wow!!! - morricab 13:07:10 02/10/14 (0)
        
        In Reply to: RE: Wow!!! posted by Lew on February 10, 2014 at 10:40:39
        
        Yes, that is exactly what I thought and why I had to get one. How does it compare to a Kronzilla? Funny enough even though they are 180 degree opposite designs (NAT: tube, tube, MOSFET; KR: JFET, MOSFET, tube) and both are single ended and both are Class A of course and there is no negative feedback on either they have very similar tonal balance and soundstage capabilities. Where the KR pulls ahead ultimately is a seeming slight bit more low level resolution and greater dynamic contrast...not that the NAT is in any way a slouch it's just the KR is the very best I have ever heard for this along with big Wavacs.
RE: Yeah, those 2-ohm ribbon speakers are ideal for an OTL - Caucasian Blackplate 15:50:05 02/01/14 (2)
A big 4 Ohm ribbon that's 96+ dB sensitive can cope with less power from an OTL.
- What speaker is that? - Lew 10:09:32 02/03/14 (1)
  Sounds very interesting. I am not aware of any ribbon, except maybe an ultra-tweet, that is so efficient.
  - RE: What speaker is that? - Caucasian Blackplate 10:20:42 02/03/14 (0)
    B&G has some out that carry these numbers.
    
    Of course, when there's a dynamic woofer involved, there's some head scratching and measuring required to see how things will pan out in terms of biamping.

Post a Followup:

FAQ

Post a Message!

Forgot Password?

Moniker (Username):
Password (Optional):
	Remember my Moniker & Password (What's this?) Eat Me
E-Mail (Optional):
Subject:

Message:	(Posts are subject to Content Rules)

Optional Link URL:
Optional Link Title:
Optional Image URL:
Upload Image:
E-mail Replies:	Automagically notify you when someone responds.

To view your new posting or follow-up, click on the RELOAD or REFRESH button on your browser.

This post is made possible by the generous support of people like you and our sponsors:

Parts Connexion