Sounds like we have different experiences and somewhat different tastes... Couldn't disagree more, as I have heard CAT for 15 years with a variety of hard to drive box speakers - as that's what's prevalent in north america. The reason why I find CAT superior to other push pull amps, is it has not only the right tone, but it also has transparency to the emotion of music. The new models are much more resolving, but I actually prefer the older ones because CAT can communicate emotion, even with the most sterile box speaker.
Magico M6 and Tube Amp?
- Thread starter Ron Resnick
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Sounds like we have different experiences and somewhat different tastes... Couldn't disagree more, as I have heard CAT for 15 years with a variety of hard to drive box speakers - as that's what's prevalent in north america. The reason why I find CAT superior to other push pull amps, is it has not only the right tone, but it also has transparency to the emotion of music. The new models are much more resolving, but I actually prefer the older ones because CAT can communicate emotion, even with the most sterile box speaker.
You are comparing CAT to push pull amps.
My friend had the CAT JL7 with black gates here for two weeks with his Avalon compass diamond, the Allnic 300b ( which is used market 6 to 8k gbp), was better than it on every track. There wasn’t one LP the cat sounded better on. Most unemotional.
The kronzilla was similar level to Allnic and the KR circoltron which was like 180 watts or so was clearly better
There you go Ked, spinning off into space! The comparison was with CH, which last time I checked is a push/pull SS amp. You will note that I said I prefer CAT specifically in that head to head matchup. In a different matchup I preferred the NAT SE2SE monos (parallel 211s) over CAT JL2 signature. With the right speaker, perhaps only the THRAX Spartacus 300 is really competitive against a top SET.
I agree with the Thrax as I like their mk2 phono, preamp, and two hybrids I heard, the integrated as well as the 100w hybrid. I heard enough in CAT to not rate it as a good amp. The CH is a good SS amp, When configured correctly. I have heard it sound bad as well.
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Brad, in my experience the tonality of most class AB amplifiers are not as beautiful as class A amplifiers but the important key is the matching of amplifier and speaker. I think in the high power solidstate market only Vitus audio shines for me but I think if you find a match speaker for CH precision you will get much better tone. CH M10 has feedback adjustment for both channels. It seems it can help but finally before any judgment we should find the match speaker for CH.
I listened to some Ypsilon amplifiers with Wilson Benesch Speakers, I can say both the tone and bass were not good.
(I am not sure but it seems wilson benesch (isobaric models) and Ypsilon amplifiers are not match)
I think one of the main problems in high end audio is the matching problem of speaker and amplifier.
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Right. This thread really is a "horses for courses" discussion, IMO. Magico M6's are a challenging speaker to drive, so it's hard to understand why SET's have been introduced into the discussion. CAT and other powerful pp tube amps might make sense, but it's going to be a challenge, with the need to try and hear.
As if anything new is taking place...same play being replayed, same actors, much like modern era BBC TV
Put VTL and ARC in the mix please thank you .
USA the birth place of audio reviewing .
USA where big is better .
Magico M6 is like a large pick up truck
Needs at least a 6 liter Hemi to show its potential.
Pilium Boulder D agostino Soulution and the list goes on and on .
Controlled sound not natural.
First get a top notch PP tube amp and worry about speakers later
Eduardo Delima Designed Audiopax M100 Class A1 SET tube amplifier. 100w Class A1 + 6 timbrelock option for perfect matching to Speaker.
I think if he was live now we had a good high power tube amplifier. Delima was my favorite audio designer.
I think if he was live now we had a good high power tube amplifier. Delima was my favorite audio designer.
There are plenty of speakers to choose from if you buy High Power PP.
Were talking Cat JL5 JL7 VTL S 400 stereo or mono category.
Dont even bother with speakers that need more power , unless you want a sluggish / pick up truck in the drive way
Not more power , but drive and balance , in other-words Max doesn't need more power, he needs better chassis balance ..
Anyway i would put the VAC up against any PP tube amplifier for compare ..
Anyway i would put the VAC up against any PP tube amplifier for compare ..
Not more power , but drive and balance , in other-words Max doesn't need more power, he needs better chassis balance ..
Anyway i would put the VAC up against any PP tube amplifier for compare ..
Better Chassis balance the american way ????
Neither approach is BS. Either approach has its merits. No need to argue in extremes.
It is. You can get good speakers both ways, the electronics will ruin the signal. The simpler the circuit, the better the sound. The simplest circuits, closest you will get to straight wire, are 2ish watt amps. Of course, there are hardly any full range speakers they can drive. But you add a few more watts, you can get to full range pretty easily.
With digital or poor recordings there is not much difference. With good analog recordings there is a ton of difference between the two approaches
Careful mate F1 is full of amerikhan tech ...
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