Tweakers' Asylum

Tweaked OTL tube still beats SS, IMHO.

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Al Sekela

(A)

In Reply to: what is the current state of SS vs tubes sound wise... posted by wlee on December 12, 2004 at 05:42:54:

The best solid-state amplifiers I've heard are the Oasis S200M Monoblocks, made on the Forsell design with improved transformers.
The best tube amps I've heard are my own Atma-Sphere MA-1s with extensive modifications to improve power supply isolation and mechanical damping.
Direct comparison is impossible, as the Oasis are driving Forsell speakers in a friend's system (he is not able or willing to move them), while mine are part of a bi-amp setup with Magnepan MG-20s. However, I believe I get more realistic low-level details and a lower resolution floor from mine compared to his.
High-performance solid-state amps no longer sound at all harsh or grainy. The differences in reproduction of details compared to tubes are slight, but still noticeable with Redbook CD.

Oasis S200M Monoblocks (Open in New Window)

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Re: Tweaked OTL tube still beats SS, IMHO. - wlee 11:14:05 12/13/04 (0)
I guess that is a main point. A friend of mine has a full set of TOTL FM Acoustics that cost more then a car, the sound is very natural, tuneful, but I feel lacking some emotion as compare to tubes.
Last 1 year I hv been tweaking with the vintage SS amps, those I used to admire in the 70s but can't effort to. With proper PS upgrade, change of good caps, eliminating extra controls, adj bias points etc, I actually like them more then the Mark L 23.5 and Classe CA 400 that I had. So even the older Ss need not to be harsh sounding. Some hw I suspect the differential front end may be the culprit for hard sound, unless the circuit is fully symmetrical.
I will try to convert an OCL SS am to OTL and eliminate the diff input to a Single transistor to listen for the differences...

Best rgds
William Lee

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