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RE: More Testing Of Tubes (Mastersound) Vs Transistors (Jungson)

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In Reply to: RE: More Testing Of Tubes (Mastersound) Vs Transistors (Jungson) posted by thetubeguy1954 on May 29, 2007 at 14:05:44

Hi Tubeguy

To be fair, keep in mind an 845 is a whopper tube, has a Pd of 75 Watts and in audio modulator service (like an audio amplifier) a pair can put out over 100Watts rms.
Also, Triodes like that don�t have as much of a �brick wall limiter� on V swing so your amplifier may well be able to putout peaks +6 dB over its �40W� rating.
This would be in contrast to nearly all SS amplifiers which reach V limit and flatten off the wave (having zero headroom past V clip).
Thus your tube amp and a typical SS amp are VERY different in how they deal with signals asking for greater than rated power.

I would bet your RCA�s could be brought up to about 100dB 1/w 1/m sensitivity depending on the acceptable low cutoff, high sensitivity AND your level of peak power is the next thing you should try.
Keep in mind too that a proper horn has much less harmonic distortion and dynamic compression than a typical direct radiator at the same sound level.
As is the case most places in audio, headroom or even least gradual nonlinearity is your friend, abrupt brick wall limits are not.
Best,

Tom Danley

AS for the bias bit, you went into it with an open mind more or less as evidenced by willingness to try. Conversely one could argue that staying with the 845's could be evidence of bias...or choosing the one that sounded better to you.
What you did not hear (it would seem) is the cascade of flaws those who have a SS bias say are so bad they don't even need to try them.

Follow Ups:

RE: More Testing Of Tubes (Mastersound) Vs Transistors (Jungson) - thetubeguy1954 09:38:35 06/01/07 (0)
Hello My Friend,

Yes Tom I believe you're absolutely correct. Triodes like my 845's don�t have the same �brick wall limiter� that solid state does. Indeed although it's "ONLY" 40W/ch it sounds like a typical 100W/ch solid state amps does.

I do believe Pat D was incorrect in his assessment of what I heard. I don't believe the problem was quite likely the simple result of driving a small two way speaker to loud levels. Rather I believe I heard a solid state amp clip differently than a tubed amp does. That's why I wanted to compare this relatively cheap home solid state integrated to a KRELL, Rowland, Levinson or YBA. That would have been a much more fair comparison. Because I know my tube amp and a typical SS amp are VERY different in how they deal with signals asking for greater than rated power.

As far as bias bit, I did go into it with an open mind more or less as evidenced by my willingness to try. I've stated numerous times here that I want the amp that sounds best, NOT the tubed amp that sounds best! I don't care if it's tubed, hybrid or solid state. Unfortunately the supposedly rational, scientific amongst us here won't believe that statement "IF" I prefer tubes. Personally I don't care what they think. I'll keep using the Mastersound till something better comes along. But I'll also keep checking to be sure something better hasn't come along.

I suppose conversely one could argue that staying with the 845's could be evidence of bias, but it would be a bias of choosing the one that sounded better to me only. I admit I didn't hear a "cascade of flaws" with the Mastersound, but the JungSon does have better dynamics and bass control beyond a shadow of a doubt. For those who have a SS bias and claim tubes are so bad they don't even need to try them, I'd say they are the insecure ones with closed minds, not me! These people need to come here or go somewher else and listen to a Mastersound Reference 845 and THEN tell me about "cascade of flaws" they heard. I at the very least am willing to listen to other technologies to keep my ears abreast of what's new, are they?

Besides I realize it's impossible to make most of these people happy anyway. Even after I've checked on how a new solid state component would sound do the naysayers admit at very least I'm being honest? Did they commend me for at least checking, comparing and testing to see how these new components sound? NO! Instead I'm berated because GOD FORBID this particular solid state amp I bought integrated isn't ugly enough for them. Talk about closed-minded and biased? GEEESSSHHHHHH.....

Thetubeguy1954
As for me - E-Stat 15:31:42 05/31/07 (0)
...those who have a SS bias say are so bad they don't even need to try them.

I own both SS and tube and fine advantages to either design as determined by the speaker being driven. The double Advents don't really like the VTL amps, but the SoundLABs certainly do! Guess which system I prefer overall?

rw

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