Posted by mariano on March 22, 2004 at 15:14:47:
In Reply to: Re: Amplifier musings posted by Lew on March 22, 2004 at 12:16:05:
Lew, many thanks for your useful words.
"we have had some negative vibes on this forum re the matching of a (very high power but forget the model, maybe "700cx") Krell with M1s or the like."
Thanks, I hadn't come across it. Valin at TAs reported that they went well together. Go figure.
"Surprised the Edge amplifiers don't cut it for you."
I was surprised too. But I need more spls than the NL-12 can handle.
"if you want to play music very loud in a big room with a tube amplifier, the Wolcotts give most bang for the buck (as compared to an MA2)"
I have heard opinions to this effect, and also others who insist the Atmasphere or the JC-1s play just as loud or louder, and more musically. I wish I could audition them all, but short of taking a trip to see Duke... Anyone else comparde these maps directly?
"Could it be that you are over-driving the speakers with the Edge amps, i.e., that the speakers and not the amps are the source of strain or "clipping" that you perceive?"
Don't think so. The JC-1 drove the speakers to pretty loud levels. And I have read opinions from many people that the M-1s are capable of 90+ dbs of steady state loudness. But not with the Edges. My room is bigger than yours, 21 x 24.
"It's also possible I suppose that the Edge amps are oscillating due to the load presented by the speakers, a probem that could be ameliorated by playing with speaker wire or a conversation with the folks at Edge. What wire do you use"
I've used Nordost Blue heaven and now Magnan. Frankly, I haven't noticed any big difference between the two. I'm not a cable believer but I wanted to make sure I had good cables just to make sure. And I've talked and exchanged emails at nauseam with Tom Maker at Edge.
"Lots of folks have had nice things to say about the JC1 + Sound Labs, but I hadn't thought of the JC1 as an ultimate weapon."
In my experience they drive the speakers very well. If anything, I would like a JC-1 with even more power, say 800 w (as opposed to the almost 600 w these amps clip at).