Tubes Asylum

Posted by Philip O'Hanlon on April 30, 2000 at 01:20:16:

Threw in the towel with the B&W Nautilus 801; ordered a pair of Classic Audio Reproductions T-3 last week.

CAR normally paint the front of their speakers black, we have requested that ours be veneered in front to match the rest of the cabinets. Not sure about finish on the horns. We also requested an optional terminal block allowing us to bypass the onboard passive crossovers so that we can connect an outboard active crossover. Both Pandora & I got tired of having to listen to solid state amps, we both prefer tubes for their rounded, fuller notes, more musical & involving presentation as well as their depth of soundstage.

All TAD drivers; the 15" woofer is 97.5 dB efficient, both the mid and
supertweeter are 107 dB efficient. Will probably start driving them with a single amp(s) and as funds permit, build a three way tube active crossover (Marchand using 6DJ8) which would allow us to drive the mids and or highs with a 2A3 or 300B based amp(s). More powerful PP or OTL for the woofers.

Would have liked to have ordered the T-1, same drivers & crossover as
T-3 but with a solid maple horn, but Pandora would not wear the fact
they are 6½" wider than the T-3 or 10½" wider than the Nautilus 801.

Delivery anticipated in mid June.

We have a large living room: 38 x 31 x 23 which on the upper floor has a balcony overlooking the room, approx. 600 sq. ft. - music sounds stunning sitting 45' from the speakers, 10' above them. Our normal listening spot is 14' from the speakers, the speakers are 12' from the back wall and there is another 12' behind the listening seat. This room normally needs lots of power to truly excite it. Don't have much faith in a single SET 3 - 8 wpc being able to cut the mustard alone. Hence the need to biamp or triamp.

Given the fact that we can't afford to biamp or triamp immediately, do we go with the A-S MA 1.II and a A-S MP 3.II pre or a VAC R 30/30.III and a VAC pre ? Heard the A-S MA1 & MP 1 at CES in a smaller room, Duke Ellington & Louis Armstrong on vinyl sounded stunning even in a small, suspended floor room. Immediate, coherent, though a little lean in the lower bass & midrange but extended with crystalline highs. The room was overdamped for my taste.

Had thought of running the A-S MA 1 initially full range and later as a woofer amp. Could then biamp/traimp with 2A3, 300B or 45 comination.

Have a VAC PA100/100 in the home office driving our Quad electrostatics, v pleased with the results. VAC have the timbre right; close your eyes and Ella Fitzgerald will sing right before your ears. We listen to small classical / jazz combos in the office. Large orchestral / rock in the living room; we like detail, transparency, and value truth of timbre. Am willing to sacrifice some bass performance in lieu of midrange and extended highs. We like to connect with the music and not just dissect it. Given that the VAC R30/30 has such a low noise floor, PP 300B seems tempting - any comments ?