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RE: Solid State Power: MOSFET vs. Bipolar?

Posted by pictureguy on October 13, 2010 at 20:56:35:
Well, I don't know how my system profile helped, but there it is. I'm doing the best I can with limited space, though I CAN turn it up as loud as i want.......Also, I am a 'stability' guy. I DO NOT have the resources to change gear on an experimental whim. Even when I was making 6 digits, my system was stable for about 20 years. My Carver Cube was dumped in favor of a Rotel, which lasted about 6 months, the ONLY time I've simply dumped something I didn't like or made such an awful error. I can remember nearly every major piece I've ever owned, including a Pioneer SX727 receiver and a Kenwood integrated. (powered my MG-1s for a short time)

Now, all those amps and companies DO have a house sound no doubt. Just my Opinion, but someone who says they like Krell doesn't say much about Bipolar. Sure Krell is bipolar, but than many others are as well, some of which person 'x' may not like.

Also, what governs the 'sound' you recognize? Most amps feature several gain stages. The possibilities are near-limitless with

2 examples you missed are Mac and Pass. Mac is Mac and has been so for a long time. Like good Champagne it is 'blended' for the Mac sound and exhibits great consistency over long time periods....and I don't even know who to credit for the design though these days I'm reasonably certain they are 'voiced' by committee.

Nelson Pass? Threshold? some Adcom? And, while Pass is typically a MOSFET guy, his amps are frequently current source, not voltage source. His designs are maybe the most varied of any single designer, living or dead.(Including Bob Carver) They run the gamut from his first watt stuff to the current (no pun intended) XA stuff. Panels and Pass seem like a good match, too.

As for mixing SS and Tubes? Wow, what a can of worms. So many philosophies, some from people I've known for a while and respect. I could see myself one day, owning a tube preamp, but am not looking and won't until after I win the lottery. Age-wise, I'm less than a year from Nelson Pass age, and was raised with tubes. And the annual trip to the local tube tester!

And finally, Man, I WISH I could 'test amps in my system' as a paraphrase (I hope) of your suggestion. And also yes, no telling what I'd 'find'. Maybe I like Krell, though my brief experience says NO. Mac and Maggies? I've only seen a few posters with such a match. Me? I'd love to try Bryston and maybe some 100 watt or better tubes on my panels. I suspect from looking at the electrical measures that Magnepan and tube are a good match. Low reactance and reasonably flat impedance. Nice.

Maybe my tagline should be ::

If I was only born rich, instead of just good looking!