New Toy - Can you identify?

Zero-hysteresis is a bit optimistic. Surely, it will not have and hysteresis from the output tranformers, but hysteresis exists in the complete design.

 

Is it just me, or do those things that look like trannies but aren't both look slightly dented and squished, or is that my imagination? Looks hardcore by the way!

 

Yep, serious stuff... Is it expensive?

 

'OTL' contradicts the obfuscatory blurb.

Wouldn't it be simpler to use tubes as the output devices for a Tripath implementation?

Paul

 

You can't beat the soundstage from a good OTL

 

What a ridiculous thing to say. Please enlighten us why an OTL (or any other specific design of amp for that matter) should have better or worse soundstage.

I think you'll find that your speakers and the way you position them in the room will have by far the biggest impact on soundstage.

Michael.

 

No I think you will find if you directly compare an OTL WITHOUT ouput transformers to regular tube amps WITH output transformers the OTL has a far better soundstage, as I have done.

 

Well "an OTL has a better soundstage than a regular tube amp" is quite a different thing from "you can't beat the soundstage of a good OTL". However, why don't you explain why you think this should be the case?

Michael.

 

Mike, your mellowing into your midlife crisis sir.

 

You seem to jump on everything anyone says atm. I don't know why it happens but I know if you take opt txs out of the circuit you get a much much better sound stage. Some kind of distortion from the core/saturation or something, does it matter?

 

No one expects the Spanish inquisition!!!

 

Ah yes OTL's. Well it's not an OTL in the strictest sense as there are two transformers in the signal path. These only handle a fixed frequency carrier signal however and are therefore a lot smaller and lighter. The whole amp only weighs 10lb.

Paul's idea for Class T is interesting. I don't really understand the full theory behind the Berning, but I do like the idea of getting rid of those huge and expensive transformers and using valves as output devices.

The sound is difficult to pin down. You have a choice of three feedback levels, so to a certain extent you can dial in distortion if you want that cuddly old tube sound. I don't and have been using it in normal mode.

Here the quite amazing thing is the bass. It has massive grunt and control, even more than the McIntosh with it's enormous and expensive output transformers. The other quality that immediately impresses is the total lack of tube glare, or brightness of any kind, despite it not being rolled off in anyway. It's also bloody quick and really plays dance and rock with alacrity.

It's early days yet, and I have not yet tried a preamp, but it seems to me that this solution really does offer the best of valve and solid state in one neat package. I have tried so many amps claiming that holy grail over the years. This one actually seems to deliver.

 

Dom,

Those are the impedence converters, but they have covers made of ERS sheeting (which is like paper). Along with the tube dampers, the NOS telefunkens and the silver cables, this is a tweaked amplifier.

 

For something intended as hifi rather than pro-audio, it's not exactly pretty

 

Chris,

You are of course correct, but then Aretha Franklin was hardly a looker was she?

If the Berning is to stay, it will be hidden away, and it is only tiny so is easy to accomodate.

It actually looks a lot cheaper in the flesh!

 

Aretha Franklin - works for me!

 

Fighting words, Mike. I'd take Aretha over any number of skinny, charisma-free r'n'b "singers" any day. Aretha had sensuality to spare.

 

Ah Markus, but then you keep pictures of teddies in bondage on file so I feel allowed to question your taste. And Penance's avatar says enough.

How about Jesse Norman then? Or are all "big birds" allowed?

 

S & M, How dare you insult the greatness of Marge!

 

Is her hair blue all over?