I am sick of failing amplifiers

[Atmasphere]

There's a big difference between, i'm happy and like the sound, and something being technically correct.

Ralph does post many times explaining to people what is technically correct. Yet as many or more respond back in a way that seems to say they disagree with the electrical engineering because they like the sound they are hearing. Or that what they hear does not fit with the technical explanations Ralph gives.
I personally find Whatsbestforum to be a place to learn. To me, technical details are more important than personal perceptions. Personal perceptions matter. But understanding why somebody might or might not perceive something, is if greater value to me.

I'm always much more happy if it sounds nice.

But being an audiophile and also technically minded, I always ask how it can be improved. Right there is the nub and most audiophiles I've met and many I've read on this and other threads, including you, suffer this problem, unless its not a problem

So if an SET sounds great, can you build something that sounds better? That's really what this is about.

 

[Holmz]

Hi Homlz,

I think you are confused. 'Data' isn't needed on a statement that not everyone can design a perfect everything.

Have a great day!

Ok then I’ll apologise for the post that may have been worded to appear snarky.

To get us back on though, let’s go back to this:

Like I said, some people just aren't capable of designing great SET's that overcome the issues and some people are. It's ok if you aren't able to.
….

What would be your estimate of the percentage of people deigning great SETs?
And just as important, or maybe more importantly… What things can, or do, the end users do to minimise the issues?

 

[Synaxis]

Ok then I’ll apologise for the post that may have been worded to appear snarky.

To get us back on though, let’s go back to this:

What would be your estimate of the percentage of people deigning great SETs?
And just as important, or maybe more importantly… What things can, or do, the end users do to minimise the issues?

Hi Holmz - no worries.

I mean this with the utmost respect to your question of % of people designing great SET's". Please - I do NOT mean this in a snarky way but my honest answer is I don't know and I could not care less. And unless someone here knows how many SET's are currently made and has listened to them all, an answer to that question is about as valid as me predicting this weekends lottery numbers.

It's now a running joke among many on this forum via PM as to someone could even talk about Swiss cheese and there would be that person who argues it's flawed from his measurements point of view and lecture us on why we are wrong.

I simply like to listen to gear, music and tubes. I like to try different gear. Some I like, much I don't. I just don't care to argue design parameters, or THD or running them at full output blah blah blah yet certain people here feel the need to lecture all the time about why what we like is 'bad' or flawed. Many of us come here to add a bit to our audio journey - not get dragged into pissing contests over audio.

And I like Swiss cheese. I don't care to know how they make it if I like it - I just care about if I like it or not.

I know it's tough to read tone and my post is meant as a humble and respectful response to you - not meant to be belittling or snarky.

 

[Holmz]

I like Swiss cheese too, so let’s start there.

 

[Synaxis]

I like Swiss cheese too, so let’s start there.

Sounds good to me. I'm going to push our luck - sometimes on thicker burgers I like TWO slices of Swiss cheese on them. Are we still good?

 

[Atmasphere]

It's now a running joke among many on this forum via PM as to someone could even talk about Swiss cheese and there would be that person who argues it's flawed from his measurements point of view and lecture us on why we are wrong.

FWIW, if you think I make my comments purely out of measurements, I don't. I use measurements to verify what I'm hearing and listen to equipment to verify what has been measured. More importantly though from a design point of view, measurements really help out knowing what is possible and let you know when things aren't right.

The thing is, there are electronic rules like Ohm's Law that are inviolable to which any designer must pay attention. For example if there's not enough inductance in an output transformer its simply going to have problems passing bass frequencies.

I have recordings I made so I know exactly how they are supposed to sound. I recommend for anyone if they really want to establish a reference, a recording you made is simply the best way to do it. One of them I use in this manner is called Canto General; its on the Atma-Sphere label and you can occasionally find it on ebay or discogs. There's no compression in that recording and it has a pretty wide range. It and a few other recordings I use can bring a dynamically challenged system to its knees in very short order.

I concede I have a particular concern around bass presentation, having played string bass in orchestras and small ensembles since I was in 6th grade. I've found that if you don't get the bass right, its very difficult to get the mids and highs right too since the ear has its own built in tone control- a lack of bass will cause the mids and highs to be tilted up; too much bass and the mids and highs might seem muffled.

The only cheese I have problems with is goat cheese except for feta

 

[Synaxis]

The only cheese I have problems with is goat cheese except for feta

Feta cheese when done right is magical and the more you put on the food the better.

 

[Holmz]

Sounds good to me. I'm going to push our luck - sometimes on thicker burgers I like TWO slices of Swiss cheese on them. Are we still good?

You should try at get the choppers into an Aussie burger at som point.
Basic burger with bacon and cheese and also an egg and slice of beet on it.
The alternate in Queensland is to use a slide of pineapple.
The pinnacle would be a bison Aussie burger.

I’ll often go for a Rubin as it has Swiss on it.

Some of my front end gear is Swiss and there are also holes and spaces in the soundstage, so I guess it’s Swiss thing.

 

[Holmz]

…
The only cheese I have problems with is goat cheese except for feta

My Auntie 3 hours up the road from you, had a tree get wind damaged yesterday.
She said it’s been hot up there, so in the cities it must be more so.

In anycase the Haus-Boss does a few good salads.
I have stolen her watermelon salad, as it is pretty easy.

Get mint leaves and chop them fine.
Get some soft feta. (The Meredith from Australia is available at Wegmans, or some similar type of place, but any will likely do.) dice it or crumble it up.
Dice the water melon into about 1cm cubes or 1/2.

Don’t add the feta until the end, or it just turns into a pink mess.
And mix it all up.

It is super refreshing on a stinking hot day.

 

[Kingrex]

I'm not trying to be snarky or mean. Just acknowledging there are other private groups talking about people beating a drum proporting false beliefs as truth. Atmasphere is just stating hard engineering facts. There are a lot of people who have not heard enough systems to understand the distortions Atmasphere is talking about. So they go about insisting online they don't exist.

One of the nice things about not recognizing an issues is it doesn't bother you. And thats fine for the individuals that do not care to know. But there are others that do know and do care. And they might feel the need to set the record straight so that false information does not flourish.

I don't eat much dairy. Doc says my body does not tolerate it. Same for sugar and grains. I love them. But I'm aware they will eventually shorten my life and lead to a severe quality deficit.
And whats this about a Beat on a burger. Never heard that. But then again, my dinner would is a grass fed beef patty laid on a salad that does have beat, cucumber, tomato, kimchi or pickled something.

 

[Atmasphere]

Atmasphere is just stating hard engineering facts. There are a lot of people who have not heard enough systems to understand the distortions Atmasphere is talking about. So they go about insisting online they don't exist.

FWIW, on Ron Resnick's system thread, I surmised that bass in his SET was causing excess distortion, which he perceived as brightness. In emails back and forth, I suggested he use a high pass filter set to about 200Hz to see if getting the bass out of his SETs would relax things. It did, and he said as much on his thread and was effusive with his thanks.

I know my comments about SETs is not what their lovers like to hear, but as I've said before, if you know their weaknesses (and bass is one of them) then you are in a much better position to take advantage of their strengths.

 

[Holmz]

….
And whats this about a Beat on a burger. Never heard that. But then again, my dinner would is a grass fed beef patty laid on a salad that does have beat, cucumber, tomato, kimchi or pickled something.

Aussie burger is:
Meat patty, cheese and bun
Breakfast of an egg and bacon
Salad of lettuce, tomato and beat.

Appolgies as the picture is with chedder.

Australian Burger Recipe

When we tried the Australian Burger recipe at the restaurant, it stood out due to its thick, juicy patty placed in a soft bun. The Australian Burger recipe we

boondockingrecipes.com

Beat and feta salads are also popular, and maybe sort of an Aussie version of a Greek salad??

 

[Kingrex]

moved