Hello Paul,
To my understanding the Wyetech Topaz(211 tube) is considered one of the true great SET amplifiers. I`ve never heard it but have no reason to question it`s highly regarded status. The Frankenstein I know well(owned almost 2 years) and it is a masterpiece built by Israel Blume. I won`t go on and on about it (I`ve done that enough before). As mentioned by Metralla there are pevious threads, with many informed comments from owners.The franks would be fabulous with your Super Victory speakers. Give Israel a call, he`s very friendly. |
Firochromis,
No amplifier can be everything to everyone. The Frankenstein is a brilliant amp but it won`t be ideal for everyone`s taste or system(nothing is). For what you`re seeking, the new Dragon MKII would suit your preference i.e. more bass weight and power. If yor music is more electronic bass,synthesizer,heavy rock and at high volumes go with the Dragon mono blocks. The Franks do bass very well but it is`nt the ultimate bass-power amp. The Franks are nearly peerless when the priority shifts to purity of tone, organic -fluidity. tactile presence and nuance with an exceptionally low noise floor. For the acoustic jazz lovers like myself.this amp is extraordinary. As always it just depends on what you want. Higher powered amps will ultimately have the bass/large scale bigger volume advantage, but not the inner detail,liquid-flow and the 3D tactile presence IMHO. |
Firochromis,
I`m glad you had the opprotunity to hear the Frankenstein MarkII under the best conditions(your own system!). It`s truly a brilliant SET amplifier. I wish you the best of luck in obtaining one soon.
Although you may not be looking for a new linestage, the Coincident Statement Linestage is equally stunning.
Best Regards, |
Jacano, Very accurate description of the Frankenstein MKII amplifier. Considering it`s power of 8 watts the bass performance is "very"good but not the best available(physics matter). Where it sepeartes from other excellent amps is the sheer realism, emotional connection with the music and pure, natural beautiful tone/overtones. Voices and instruments are just utterly real. After nearly 2 years of ownership my admiration still grows(this is true of the Coincident Statement Linestage also).
Best Regards, |
Congratulations!
After over 2 years of ownership this superb amp still surprises me with sublime music reproduction(I use the Shuguang Treasure 300b).
You`ll enjoy this amplifier for many happy years.
Best Regards, |
I asked Israel Blume that very question when I spoke with him at the RMAF last month. He said there`s minimal difference in sound quality and thought they were essentially interchangeable. Any other op[nions? |
Kevinmed,
Arthur Salvatore(High End-Audio,com) once wrote that the Wavelength Cardinal was perhaps one of the "very best" 300b SET amps he`d ever heard. He states that the Coincident Frankenstein is simply
the best amp he`s ever personally heard with appropriate speakers.
I heard the Cardinal monoblocks with the Vaughn speakers at RMAF this year and the sound was quite good! this amplifier has always had excellent reviews over the years.
I`ve not heard the Franks and Cardinal head to head.
These things will always be subjective, but as an owner of the Franks(listening nearly daily for over 2 years) this amplifier is just OUTSTANDING! In the truest sense of the term.Thus far in my personal experience I will say this amp is the most natural-organic and realistic sounding yet, and I`ve heard many good ones.
It comes down to priorities, if like me you want pure,natural and honest reproduction of full tone with harmonic/overtone preservation along with exceptional dynamics(micro and macro) ultra low noise floor and tiny nuance retrival, this is your amplifier(Shuguang Black Treasure 300b tubes).Acoustic instruments and voice are devine.
The Frankenstein MKII is a stunning achievement by Israel Blume(so is the Statement Linestage).
Sincerely and Best Regards,
Charles |
Hello,
Pehare, I`ve had zero reliability issues with either the amplifier or the Treasure tubes. This is with very heavy-frequent use.
Good Luck, |
Hfisher3380,
Yes, the Franks are good brand new out the box.
In terms of final-ultimate performance you are at only roughly 80% currently, you will gain another 20% in S.Q. improvement by 300-400 hour range(I`m not engaging in hyperbole at all, this was my experience).
If the Franks startle you now, just wait.
Did you select the Treasure Series upgrade?
Enjoy, |
Hfisher3380,
I think the Statement Linestage gets a bit more praise due to it being such an universal component(can place in any system). The Franks are of course limited by speaker matching, thus not as flexible/universal.
All the atributes you`ve noted so far will be noticably improved with the addition of the Statement Linestage. |
Hi,
Abill, you are experiencing ultra 300b heaven LOL.
Personal taste will always rule(but you have it covered it seems). What`s the difference between the new Triton Century and the Cardinal 300b series?
Is your Triton the Signature version?
The tube comparison is interesting as some who have used both tubes prefer the Treasure 300b and others like the older KR XLS and the VAIC tubes(hard to find these days).
Israel said the Treasure and KR were equals in sound but the later/current KR tubes were unreliable. You must have the better older batch model.
The Western Electric 300b seems to be circuit/amplifier depedent as opinions are so mixed.
Beat Regards, |
Isochronism,
Very nice amps you have choosen.
What`s the diffeference between the Triton and Cardinal series given they`re both 300b amplifiers?
Best Regards, |
Abruce,
I have a lot of respect for Israel Blume and his superb products(just look at my system page). Your speaker is very similar to the T-5 model.This speaker is 85-86 sensitivity,4 ohm load that dips below 3 ohms and has a high phase angle in the midrange.
I don`t believe an 8 watt SET amp that lacks 'any' negative feedback is a good match. Your speaker would seem to require a high power SS amplifier that can drive lower load impedances and has some NFB in the circuit.
The Frankenstein is superb, but only if matched with the proper speaker.
Regards, |
