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Re: It is very much like cooking

Having followed your posts for two years now, it seems as though the Websters have a pretty strong sonic signature (some may call coloration) that you find preferable. The effect may be so strong that there is a possibility that the sonic signature of the OPTs overshadows most of the other components preceeding it. I don't know much about electronics and I can barely soldered two wires together, but that is my 'hunch'. Have you determined if the sound of that amp is sensitive to source, cable and speaker changes? Also, what do you use for a phono stage and do you run your CD player direct to the amp and have you determined if the amp is sensitive to changes in your digital front end? I think many people (perhaps 'audiophiles') strive for OPTs that are tonally neutral but offer good requency extension at both ends. With that in mind, perhaps the designer can then 'color' the amp via resistors, caps, wire , driver choices as well as via operating points for the various tubes. It seems as though you can bypass all of these parts and components by 'tuning' the sound to your liking with the OPTs instead of other aspects. I believe some people strive for a neutral amop and preamp in oder to hear changes in source components and source material/software. From what I have gathered, neutrality is not necessarily what you are striving for rather it seems that you strive for a certain sound that generates a desired response that has proven to be pleasant and satisfying to you overtime. Your focus is the end result, not how you get there other than the fact that the Webster's strong personality is easily pinpointed as the source of the sound you like. Nothng wrong with that. As I mentioned, I spent a little bit of time with John H. amps and they did indeed sound good under the circumstances. LAKERFAN loves the 'Webster' amps too, but he did find the amp I sent him to be more satisfying. I would venture that most designers of OPTs would tell you that sound engineering principles which lead to a flat frequency response and good extension at both ends is desirable and would probably feel that an OPT with a strong sonic signature/coloration is probably not a good thing, in most cases. I would survey OPT winders that are outside the 'high end audio' establishment in order to get a straight answer.

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