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I spoke with a dealer recently who while stating that OTL's sound great that there is a legitimate worry about the OTL essentially "frying" the speakers and damaging equipment in the event of a tube malfuction. Is there any truth to this and does anyone have any first hand information about this happening to someone?
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block the dc from frying your speakers. but id worry still - i mean what if the cap that blocks the dc fries up?? i wouldnt use otl config for speaker system- i have a couple of otl headphone amps - that work great with ma headphones - whcih dont cost anywhere near my speakers..so if they fry- thats life.
Depends upon circuit design. Futterman-type OTLs with capacitor coupling cannot "fry" anything, since DC is blocked at the output. A few companies made Futterman-type amplifiers without coupling caps, e.g., Counterpoint SA4, possibly KSS. Those amps are known to be a bit unreliable, but mostly they will have internal problems and don't usually fry the speakers, but it could happen. OTLs with circlotron-type output stages (e.g., Atma-sphere, Joule, etc) are really completely safe. You can physically remove an output tube or have one blow on you during play and there is no audible consequence for the speaker, except for a loss of audio quality. Of course, if you overdrive any speaker with any amplifier there is a danger of damaging the speaker. I have about 30 years of experience with both types of OTL to back up these generalizations. Your dealer is misinformed OR he has an ulterior motive for scaring you away from OTLs.
Interesting as I was talking to him about Joule ..... he said they sound very good but.......
If that guy was steering you clear from Joule because of "risk" then I would question him as a reliable source of information. I've never had trouble with my VZN80. Even if something did go wrong there are fuses in place. A light comes on and you replace the fuse. With that said, I've never had to replace anything with the amp - fuses, tubes, anything. Going on 5 years now... It's NEVER given me trouble. What that guy is talking to you about "just doesn't happen" with these (Joule) amps. I'll tell you this, if you have a pair of speakers that are a good match for an OTL and you never hear it to decide for yourself, you're missing out. If you're seriously considering one of these a call to Jud Barber at Joule or Rich Brkich at Signature Sound is worthwhile. They can tell you the "why" as opposed to just the "what".Good luck.
I will say the same about Atma-sphere.
should be safe. The 6as7 has built in fuses.Tre'
Have Fun and Enjoy the Music
"Still Working the Problem"
it's a shame there is so much misinformation out there. there are a lot of people missing out on these products. particularly those with speakers that mate well with an otl at zero feedback. it's just so "right"...
... mkII.2 and not only did they not hurt my speakers but the amps were fine too. Stuff like sticking 6sn7's in the wrong way (broken center pin) 6AS7G's blowing fuselinks when turned up to 11 (forgot I had switched preamp sources) shorting speaker wires (tripped over the cord when drunk) etc. Maybe the older Futterman types... but not Atma's.
I *like* the loudness button!
Yeah, but dont try any of those tricks with a ceramic driver in your speakers - I had a cracked 6SN7 tube in my MA 2 and blew the fuse and cracked the driver (Kharma 3.2) ...........
I listen to my MA1's / Coincident Total Victory ll's at obseeeeene levels. Worst case scenario, a fuse blows, a 6AS7G goes, or even a 12sx7. The speakers are never damaged.
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