Which is Better Sound From High Power: Single Tube SET or Parallel Tube SET?

[adrianywu]

I think we used both the M7 and M1000 that afternoon, I also preferred the M7. I don't think you had the subs at the time. Good to hear you found a better room.

We have always had the Subs. The subs present a problem with finding a big enough space.

 

[PeterA]

I was referring to the Vitavox S2, which the manufacturer claims is unchanged from the "original".

If I ever get around to comparing two sets of original S2 compression drivers in my Vitavox speakers, I will report my findings. If they sound different from each other, then I guess a new driver will have to sound more or less similar to one of them.

 

[andromedaaudio]

If I ever get around to comparing two sets of original S2 compression drivers in my Vitavox speakers, I will report my findings. If they sound different from each other, then I guess a new driver will have to sound more or less similar to one of them.

Peter do you have more data on this Vitavox S2 driver .
The modern version is manufactured in the UK , but under specs i find no sensitivity data and also no FR response .
Would be nice to have for this kind of $$$.
After i have finished my smaller cone speaker models i might go make something with this compression driver.

https://www.vitavoxhifi.co.uk/pdf/s2_specification_sheet.pdf

looks great old school well made British design

Deco Audio Drive Units

moving magnet and moving coil stereo cartridges

www.decoaudio.com

 

[PeterA]

Peter do you have more data on this Vitavox S2 driver .
The modern version is manufactured in the UK , but under specs i find no sensitivity data and also no FR response .
Would be nice to have for this kind of $$$.
After i have finished my smaller cone speaker models i might go make something with this compression driver.

https://www.vitavoxhifi.co.uk/pdf/s2_specification_sheet.pdf

looks great old school British design

Deco Audio Drive Units

moving magnet and moving coil stereo cartridges

www.decoaudio.com

It is very hard to find any information. DDK says that later versions of the speakers sound different. I do not know about the S2 driver specifically, but different people are making them, so I suspect even the drivers do sound slightly different than the early ones from the late 50s. I did find this sheet describing the current model:

 

[andromedaaudio]

Thanks

Its probably around 105 db , the Vox Olympian is also a 105 db spec design and uses the same " new " S2 driver.
I hope they will have it on demonstration in Munich , but probably not.

 

[andromedaaudio]

It is very hard to find any information. DDK says that later versions of the speakers sound different. I do not know about the S2 driver specifically, but different people are making them, so I suspect even the drivers do sound slightly different than the early ones from the late 50s. I did find this sheet describing the current model:

I think its a interesting unit .

I have made a thread to combine all info .

Compression drivers / Horn FR graphs ( Vitavox S2 )

This is a thread to combine info regarding characteristics of compression drivers / horn combinations. (incl Vitavox S2) http://unepassionaudiophile.fr/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/Horns_measurements_ETF2010d-1.pdf

www.whatsbestforum.com

 

[Ron Resnick]

In my system at the time it sounded very detailed and fast, lean and with an exposed top end. It didnt sit well with me.View attachment 41168

Hello pweg,

But doesn't "very detailed and fast, lean and with an exposed top end" describe the sound of those Marten speakers? Why are you attributing this sound to the 833 amplifiers?

 

[bonzo75]

Hello pweg,

But doesn't "very detailed and fast, lean and with an exposed top end" describe the sound of those Marten speakers? Why are you attributing this sound to the 833 amplifiers?

the AM 833 sounded lean also on the Diapason. Another user also described them that way. They gave good drive and are musical and transparent otherwise, it is just that report’s consistently show them to sound lean.

 

[morricab]

Hello pweg,

But doesn't "very detailed and fast, lean and with an exposed top end" describe the sound of those Marten speakers? Why are you attributing this sound to the 833 amplifiers?

The latest Marten Speaker in Munich, the Quintet, had a rather low COG compared to Martens I have heard in the past. They actually sounded quite laidback as a result. I don't think all 833 amps sound the way these are being described... If you want to look at some beast 833s then look at the Amplifon SET140 monos.

 

[Ron Resnick]

Amplifon SET140 monos.

Do you know for a fact that these actually are in production by a live audio company?

 

[Ron Resnick]

Since I will never be able to have in my room for direct comparison an 833 amp and a PSET and a Jadis versus my VTLs, if I can throw only one dart for my alternative "fantasy amp," I would get the MastersounD PF100 Litz (PSET with four 845 tubes).

 

[christoph]

Do you know for a fact that these actually are in production by a live audio company?

Amplifon SET 140 Single Ended Triode Monoblock - Fidelity Magazine

The Amplifon SET 140 is a massive single ended triode Powerhouse. It utilizes the humongous 833 vacuum tube, which enables a 140 W output.

www.fidelity-magazine.com

 

[Ron Resnick]

Amplifon SET 140 Single Ended Triode Monoblock - Fidelity Magazine

The Amplifon SET 140 is a massive single ended triode Powerhouse. It utilizes the humongous 833 vacuum tube, which enables a 140 W output.

www.fidelity-magazine.com

Do you see a date on this review?

 

[Ed.P]

The author only joined that site in 2021 and the Wayback Machine shows that review page crawled for first time on 8/11/22. So doesn't seem too old.

Wayback Machine

web.archive.org

 

[morricab]

Do you know for a fact that these actually are in production by a live audio company?

Yes, I know for a fact they are in production.

 

[christoph]

Do you see a date on this review?

In the review the song "you want it darker" by Leonhard Cohen is mentioned, so it can't be too old
The Amplifon SET 140 is a current model, when I ordered my SET 42 this year, the manufacturer was finishing two pairs of the SET 140 as well.

Just searched for the original German version of this review, it is from December 2019.

 

[DasguteOhr]

Amplifon SET 140 Single Ended Triode Monoblock - Fidelity Magazine

The Amplifon SET 140 is a massive single ended triode Powerhouse. It utilizes the humongous 833 vacuum tube, which enables a 140 W output.

www.fidelity-magazine.com

buy a quiet fan and cool the 833c's anode terminals (on top of the tube) when they are running. otherwise means good bye life for tube and your life. just a little tip from me you don't want to be in the room when the tube loses its life.

 

[Ron Resnick]

In the review the song "you want it darker" by Leonhard Cohen is mentioned, so it can't be too old
The Amplifon SET 140 is a current model, when I ordered my SET 42 this year, the manufacturer was finishing two pairs of the SET 140 as well.

Just searched for the original German version of this review, it is from December 2019.

Thank you.

 

[microstrip]

Hello pweg,

But doesn't "very detailed and fast, lean and with an exposed top end" describe the sound of those Marten speakers? Why are you attributing this sound to the 833 amplifiers?

Typically these high power SETs will have very high distortion above a few tens of watt. IMO the critical point in these amplifiers is the output transformer, not just the tube type. See the measurements of the 150W - just quoting the specifications - Wavac 833 -https://www.stereophile.com/content/wavac-sh-833-monoblock-power-amplifier-specifications .

 

[DasguteOhr]

Typically these high power SETs will have very high distortion above a few tens of watt. IMO the critical point in these amplifiers is the output transformer, not just the tube type. See the measurements of the 150W - just quoting the specifications - Wavac 833 -https://www.stereophile.com/content/wavac-sh-833-monoblock-power-amplifier-specifications .

You need massive good and expensive output transformer and high voltage (1500Vdc)to run this beasts good. The filament current is terrible( 10 volt/10ampere 100watt) inrush go up to 20ampere.
A friend use this SE 12K redpoint pic