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I am concerned...

198.144.160.7

when I read something like this that those of use who use and love low-powered triode amps have been a bit too enthusiastic in our praise of them. Not that they are not wonderful amplifiers when paired with the right speaker, but that our enthusiasm has proven to be...well, so infectious.

I want to remind folks of the journey some of us have taken. After reading a good deal about the magic of triodes, I purchased my first SET in 1995 out of curiosity for my upstairs system. I wanted to see what all the fuss was about and rationalized, since I bought the amp used, that at the very least it would be suitable for music while cooking, having dinner or a beandy by the fire afterwards.

I paired with effecient but traditional dynamic speakers (see Inmates Systems). And I loved the sound it made (even with only CD as a source). And I began to think that this might be really nice with analogue in the big system. But I knew the speakers that were in the main system at the time wouldn't work (Aerial 10Ts). So I started in early 1996 to look for suitable speakers - no thought of which amps at this point.

That search took a little over three years (and some travel) and ended with my purchase of the T-1s last April. In the meantime, I read Glass Audio, subscribed to Sound Practices, subscribed to VTV, bought all the back issues of VALVE, surfed the 'Net, bought a copy of RDH4 and added many other volumes to my technical library.

I also decided along the way to resurrect something I hadn't done in almost 2 decades - building and modifying my own gear. This was at least as much due to necessity as to economics. And in fall of the penultimate year of the century, I have almost finished assembling a bi-amped system based on the 45 triode.

For me, the conversion has been well worth it on several levels. But note that I did a lot of research, already owned a SET amp, and am willing to tinker. I built a circuit I hadn't heard, because i respond to the topology. I reasoned that altering it to run a 2A3 (in case I didn't like the 45) is no big deal.

So when I see posts from those who haven't even heard a SET amp saying they are forsaking (insert your system here) for the Glory of Triodes based (it seems) on what Jack, Bryan, and Phil have said, I worry. We could be the Three Wise Men. Just as easily, we could be the Three Stooges (and if that's true, I got dibs on Moe).

So please take what is posted with a grain - nay, a shovel of salt. Make the effort through travel or home trial to listen to some examples of these triodes, some horns, a Lowther or two. Because you don't really know our biases or whether the compromises we are willing to make are your compromises. And also because the hunt was almost as much fun as the end result.



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