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In Reply to: RE: Moving from PP to SET's - Need Advise posted by Greg P on June 10, 2007 at 15:11:01
Last Sunday, I was sitting at the Bottlehead meet hosted at Steve's place in Stirling VA thinking about how each system / permutation sounded different and some appealed more to me than others depending on the music, time of day etc.
First, let me say that I have had the distinct pleasure of hearing both the late John Hogan's SE amps and Doug's PP amps at various Bottlehead meetings held in the library in Elkton MD. If I weren't a builder myself, I would be happy with either maker's amps. I do repect both John and Doug because they followed their sense of what worked for them. They thought, tested, changed, had successes and failures and developed prime examples of the best that SE and PP can offer.
In addition, both SE and PP are really broad groupings of topology. For example, I rather like SE parafeed with a resistor plate load. Is it the best of all topologies because it works for me and the music I tend to listen to? Of course not. My daughter just finished her Poinz 6V6 PP amp and on certain music, I prefer it.
About 10 years ago, I attended one of the Single Ended meetings in Philadelphia that Peter Brueniger set up and I remember Harvey Rosenburg talking about how you really needed to build your amp before you could really appreciate it. I wondered about that statement at the time, but over time, I would have to say I agree with it. However wonderful John's and Doug's amps are, I prefer mine because I built them myself.
My advice is to find a group like the Bottlehead groups that meet in various locations in the US. You will hear a lot of different approaches, some successful and others less so. Then try to build something inexpensive where you can make mistakes and you will be amazed at how good it sounds. Don't go for expensive parts/components until you have more experience and you get a sense of what topology really works for you. For example, I have discovered over time that I really prefer to have the harmonic flavour that a small output transformer brings to a line stage. John used to say that the output transformers he used play a big part in the sound of his amps. Doug emphasizes the power supply. They are both correct.
Get a cheap pair of full range efficient speakers and live with them for a while. They usually have some weaknesses but you will learn to identify what is both right and wrong with them.
Go as cheap as possible early on but don't expect to save money. This is a journey and there will always be another tube / topology / speaker that you really need to try. It will be an interesting journey, however.
Have fun. I can still remember Doug and I gazing in amazement at the copper piping OTL amp that one of our group brought along. Unfortunately we never got to hear the final amp but it was a real hisser to look at.
ray
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