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I just absolutely love this Set amp.It removes a layer most amps leave behind.
It is what digital amps can only dream of being.
Fantastic speed is evident in how bells and chimes are revealed.
There is a total absence of grit, grime, or artificial edge. This leads to a bit of a laid back presentation. Not boring at all. It just does not wack you over the head unless called for. So industrial rockers may not like this amp. It is too clean.
The tonal balance leans to the clean and clear, yet with some wonderful warmth. This is not a golden glow boy like perhaps Conrad Johnson. Just beautiful music.
Very wide and deep soundstage, with excellent localization of instruments. I was worried about this since it has 4 output tubes per channel. Well, it images good enough for me, and imaging is a top priority in my books. I want a real, life sized, performance before me. Otherwise, why bother?
The top end just shimmers with life.
Bass is excellent as well. Is this a Set I am listening to, I ask myself?
This amp made my Hornshoppe Wannabes sound like some sort of electrostat, Avant Guard, monsters.
I am drawn into the music and amazed by the amount of music previously missing. I am talking the little things like subtle details, spacial cues, etc.
Oh, and it sports a powerhouse 22 watts. Got to like that if you are a set guy.
In 25 years of high end audio there are a few events that stand out as milestones. One was my Oracle/Alphason 1000S arm, with Electro Research EK1 strain guage cartridge, and Electron Kinetics Eagle 7A amp, driving Acoustat Model 3's. There were others as well.
This McAlister SE 44 is another one of those milestones. That coupled with the GR Research OB 5 speakers takes my breath away. Check it out.
http://www.audiocircle.com/circles/index.php?topic=31630.30
You can see the SE 44 in action in the picture below. It's on top of the audio rack. On the bottom shelf is it's massive power supply. The speaker is the GR Research OB 5 that were just given birth.
I have not been this excited about listening to music for a long time.
Here is the McAlister web site: http://www.mcalisteraudio.com/
Here is GR's site: http://www.gr-research.comIf this is not one of the very best amps I have experienced, then I don't know what is.
It gets my highest praise. Thank you for making such high end affordable. Cool
Rocket_Ronny
Follow Ups:
Thanks for bringing this amp to our attention - I admit that my radar hasn't detected it yet. In addition to sounding good it is not expensive to buy and operate. No mesh plate tubes or gold plated prices for 27GB5s here.I have a question -- do you know what the operating point is for each set of 4 power tubes?
Francois:I don't recall the number, but Peter did mention biasing to be rather low.
Tube life is around the 7000 hour range. Got to like that, and tubes are cheap. To retube the whole amp costs aprox. $100.00 to $150.00 I believe.
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I don't use a preamp.I go directly out of my Metric Halo ULN2 audio interface into the McAlsiter SE 44.
It's output inpedence is 50 ohms so Peter McAlsiter said a pre would do me no good.
Have you tried this amp with the Newforms?
High Greg:Actually those are old pictures of the Newforms, about 3 years old. We have moved since then, and the Newforms have a new home.
I did run those in that big room with a 15 watt CR Developements. I listen quite loud, but mainly acoustic music. I was boardering on clipping.
With the GR Research OB 5s I do run out of steam as well with the 22 watt McAlsiter if I push it.
So I plan to bi-amp using the McAlsiter SE 44 from 220 hz up.
If you listen in 80-85 db range, and have the NewForms 9' or closer to you you could get away with the McAlister SE 44.
With the great way the NewForms image you could easily put a push pull on them and be happy. McAlister has a 75 watt push/pull. That is what I would use as a single amp on them.
The amazing high end sparkle and shimmer of the McAlsiter gear will really make the Newforms come to life. You would be amazed.
Can you tell I like his amps?
Like I said I absolutely love them.
Thanks for the reply.I've been considering the McAlister preamp into my ASL Monsoons
to power the Newforms. The Monsoons do an excellent job pushing
the 645's but lately I've been tempted to try either SET or OTL,
I know there are amps in both topologies that would work with the
Newforms but thinking I may go the single driver route but afraid
that no single driver can equal the transparency of the 645's.
I replaced the NewForms with a pair of single drivers. Check them out here: http://www.scripturesongs.com/audio2.htmAfter I made them my wife said, Wow, are they good or what. They may even be better than the NewForms.
The HornShoppe Wannabes are exciting, dynamic, and image almost as well as the NewForms. They are missing a bit of mid bass and truly sound their best with a bit of e.q. there. They are not as transparent as my GR Research OB 5's just recently built: http://www.audiocircle.com/circles/index.php?topic=31630.30
and not as transparent as the NewForms. I did sell the Newforms and lived with the Hornshoppe clones for about 3 years. They sound best with a fast sub such as the TBI I have. Both will be up for sale after Christmass.If you try the single driver route don't sell the Newforms to go there. Live with both and then decide what is for you.
I would not go with the SE 44 on the NewForms but rather the McAlsiter PP 150 with 75 watts per side, or biamp with both, which is what is on my radar right now. They both have the same input sensitivity so one could use the crossover in the speakers.
Rocket_Ronny
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