Tubes Asylum Questions about tubes and gear that glows. FAQ

---

[ Follow Ups ] Thread: [ Display  All  Email ] [ Tubes Asylum ]

---

[ Alert Moderator ] [ Edit ] [ Delete ]

---

Re: atmasphere MA2MKII and Lamm ML l or ML 2: experience and comparison?

198.144.162.20

Posted by Phil Sieg on September 18, 1999 at 12:59:44

In Reply to: atmasphere MA2MKII and Lamm ML l or ML 2: experience and comparison? posted by jonathan on September 18, 1999 at 12:01:08:

We talked the other evening. But I had forgotten at the time that the ML1 was a PP amp and confused it with the ML2.

I would not "choose" OTLs over SETs (or even PP triodes) as a general statement. I tend to put them on the same plane with different attributes. IMO, if you go for either type of topology, the goal is a "they are here" presentation. A palpable, effortless feeling the the performers are "with" you (and not HP's goddam "window on the performance").

Assuming an appropriate speaker choice, a good OTL will be better than a SET if:

(1) the SET OPT is of low quality
(2) the SET circuit is not designed to function at the optimal operating points for both the driver stage and output stage.
(3) the driver stage is is poorly matched to the output stage and overall design goal.

OTOH, a good SET will be superior to an OTL if:

(1) the only design consideration for the OTL is to eliminate the OPT
(2) output tubes are not triodes (OK, it's my bias)
(3) circuit design is not based on a balanced differential topology.
(4) 2 & 3 above.

And your statement that OTLs can drive any speaker is erroneous. Like SETs, OTLs want a relatively flat impedance curve (electrostatics work because OTLs are better suited to drive capacitive loads, but even then moderate powered OTLs will run out of gas on a speaker like the Sound Labs A-1). What they don't require is extreme sensitivity, although IME speakers above 90 dB sensitivity are better choices.

And as you know, I have chosen both (which you can, too, given the apparent $$$ you are willing to spend).

BTW, you seem to be at sea with the possibilities.

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

Parts Connexion

---

[ Top of Page ] [ Contact Us ] [ Support/Wish List ] [ Copyright © 2025, Audio Asylum, all rights reserved ]

---

[ General ] [ Speakers ] [ Tubes ] [ Vinyl ] [ Digital ] [ Hi-Rez ] [ Video Asylum ] [ Cables ] [ Tweaks/DIY ] [ Music ] [ Films ]

---