Highest Power SET Amplifier?

Ron Resnick · Nov 12, 2017

User211 said:
BTW I really find myself agreeing with DDK, with the caveat that if the bass amps derive their input signal from the main source amp(s), a la MF Supercharger or an ML hybrid, then this will help.

However, can you bypass the internal amps, or do a mod such that they can be bypassed as a last resort? That would help if various options don't work in practice.

The bass tower amps do not derive their signal from the outboard amps which drive the ribbon panels. The bass tower amps cannot be bypassed. (What could possibly be better to drive those bass towers than 1,000 watts of Class AB Gryphon?)

What is the technical source of your concern about integration? The low power of SET? The high distortion of SET? The topology of parallel SET? The architecture of tube push-pull?

In other words are you more concerned about integration with an 80 watt SET or with a 160 watt Class A push-pull?

spiritofmusic · Nov 12, 2017

Hey Ron, sorry I can’t help here.
Despite lack of online user reports on Nat generally, and Magma in particular, they have a solid customer base in E Europe, Russia and SE Asia. You’re not going to go wrong w Magma New.
At €20-25k factory direct to incl carriage and US sales tax, they’re a veritable bargain.

Zero000 · Nov 12, 2017

Ron Resnick said:
The bass tower amps do not derive their signal from the outboard amps which drive the ribbon panels. The bass tower amps cannot be bypassed. (What could possibly be better to drive those bass towers than 1,000 watts of Class A Gryphon?)

What is the technical source of your concern about integration? The low power of SET? The high distortion of SET? The topology of parallel SET? The architecture of tube push-pull?

In other words are you more concerned about integration with an 80 watt SET or with a 160 watt Class A push-pull?

Forget amp technology or power within reasonable limits.

The problem is simply personality. Does the bass sound an integrated part of the whole?

I am not sure how much experience you have in this area.but when you try to get dissimilar amps to work as a seamless whole you will hear marked differences in success depending on which gear you try to get to blend together.

What you expect to work may not and vice versa. Very difficult to give any solid advice since the results are unpredictable. Logic would appear to dictate a Gryphon amp on the ribbons would be the best solution but I doubt I'd like it personally.

The only way to find out is to do what I suggested by PM. Keep the VTLs and swap in various suspects until something better is found, if at all.

I hope in practice it isn't that much of an issue and 200Hz is low enough for it not to be. I think the 500Hz equivalent on my speakers makes it more of a noticeable issue.

morricab · Nov 13, 2017

Ron Resnick said:
The bass tower amps do not derive their signal from the outboard amps which drive the ribbon panels. The bass tower amps cannot be bypassed. (What could possibly be better to drive those bass towers than 1,000 watts of Class A Gryphon?)

What is the technical source of your concern about integration? The low power of SET? The high distortion of SET? The topology of parallel SET? The architecture of tube push-pull?

In other words are you more concerned about integration with an 80 watt SET or with a 160 watt Class A push-pull?

The amps in the bass section are no way 1000 watts Class A. Nope, not a chance...

Argonaut · Nov 13, 2017

morricab said:
The amps in the bass section are no way 1000 watts Class A. Nope, not a chance...

Hmmmmm, yes, I found My Discom well and truly Bobulated over that particular claim also mc!

microstrip · Nov 13, 2017

spiritofmusic said:
Hey Ron, sorry I can’t help here.
Despite lack of online user reports on Nat generally, and Magma in particular, they have a solid customer base in E Europe, Russia and SE Asia. You’re not going to go wrong w Magma New.
At €20-25k factory direct to incl carriage and US sales tax, they’re a veritable bargain.

If buying directly from factory in Europe, US customers should think about service. Will you get service manuals and parts if needed? Do you know of a local repair person who can service the amplifiers?

853guy · Nov 13, 2017

morricab said:
The amps in the bass section are no way 1000 watts Class A. Nope, not a chance...

Harlequin said:
Hmmmmm, yes, I found My Discom well and truly Bobulated over that particular claim also mc!

From the horse's... er, Gryphon's mouth:

You're welcome.

853guy

Ron Resnick · Nov 13, 2017

morricab said:
The amps in the bass section are no way 1000 watts Class A. Nope, not a chance...

You are right! I forgot the "B."

Thank you for correcting me morricab and 853guy!

spiritofmusic · Nov 13, 2017

Ron, and there was me thinking I was getting into a lather about potential tt destinations, batting about Spec, Saskia, Blackstone etc.
If that’s a lather, you’re amp travails are the whole bubble bath, or even soap factory!

Search

Search

Highest Power SET Amplifier?

Ron Resnick

Site Co-Owner, Administrator

spiritofmusic

Well-Known Member

Zero000

Well-Known Member

morricab

Well-Known Member

Argonaut

Well-Known Member

microstrip

VIP/Donor

853guy

Active Member

Ron Resnick

Site Co-Owner, Administrator

spiritofmusic

Well-Known Member

Similar threads

Members online