Dear Neil: You are totally wrong when you rely on: " As proof, look at all the biamper-s who use tubes on top and ss on the bottom -- synergy? I don't think so. " +++++
All those people are totally wrong because, between other things, there is no synergy.
The fact that many people with no know-how try the bi-amp subject in the wrong way does not mean that is correct: it is still wrong!!. We can argue ( in other post ) about if Michauyen accept.
Your other statement: +++++ " As for the low end, within rather broad limits, you could use just about any SS amp that has enough power and damping: just about anything with 200W/ch @ 8 ohms, i.e. Bryston, ML, Krell, Parasound, etc, etc, it really doesn't matter. " +++++, is a totally misunderstood about the low bass reproduction ( especially speakers like the Pipedreams ), maybe for you it does not matters which amplifier you use at the low end but for me and people like Michauyen ( that's why, I assume, he own the Pipedreams and that kind of electronics. ) that matters and about quality sound reproduction I can tell you: it matters a lot!!!
Nsgarch, the most difficulty frequency range to reproduce with high quality are the low and very low music octaves. This is the hardest task for speaker builders and in a little less step for the electronic designers: amps/preamps. Why do you think that a big full range speaker has a very high price? only because is " big " ?, no it is because it can give you the " glory " to reproduce in accurate way those low end octaves and that cost a lot of money.
None of the amplifiers that you mentioned ( btw, any one/other ) could give you the same quality low end response playing the Pipedreams and this fact: matters and matters a lot.
Why do you think that exist the self powered subwoofers instead than subwoofers where you can choice the amps?. All the self powered subwoofer builders design a special bass amplifier with operational characteristics that match with precison with all the operational characteristics of the woofer design.
That's why is of crucial importance the bass amp for the Pipedreams and that's why is of crucial importance define which one, that in this case is the Krell one that all we know are one of the greatess amplifiers playing that low frequency range and that Michauyuen already own.
My advise ( in my humble opinion ) in this post certainly tell on: synergy,neutrality,tonal balance and quality sound reproduction. I respect your point of view but I totally disagree with...
Regards and enjoy the music.
Raul.
