Can OTL's drive ribbons well?


Seeking comment on ability of OTL's to drive mids/highs ribbons, specifically on Genesis II.5/300/350.Prefer to consider without zero autoformers as they have a reputation of bleaching sound(?).Can they do it without losing their special sonic ability of speed and organic liquidity? I guess I am really asking this question of the more affordable OTL's, ie.Transcendant, Atmasphere MA1 etc. If OTL's cant do it, which tubes can provide fast organic liquidity with dynamics at around $4000 and hopefully much less(new or used)-- again specifically driving ribbon mids and highs?

Finally does anyone use Cello duet 350 to drive ribbons?If so how do vocals sound?
Thanks and appreciate your comments
aer

Showing 3 responses by gregadd

OTLS are best with electrostatics. Theoretically they should work well with ribbons. My personal opinion- ribbons go with solid state. Tubes are too slow to get the speed out of ribbons. Happily there is a solid state OTL. The name escapes me now, but I'll find it.
It seems I just discussed this with Albertporter. I recommended that he consider the atmaspheres for his ribbons or for the ultimate in speed consider solid sate. I made the speed decision based on my audition of the Martin Logan Statement latest version dirven by Spectral electronics. Albert presented proof that his vtls were plenty fast. He is currently running Air tights on top.
If a picture is worth a thousand words a listen is worth an endless discusion. Get thee to a dealer and have a listen to the Bryston 7b with the magneplanr 3.6 or 20.
"fast organic liquidity with dynamics at around $4000 and hopefully much less(new or used)-- again specifically driving ribbon mids and highs?"
I don't know what associated equipment you were using with the bryston maggies or what your musical tastes are. I was listening to the Mark Levinson CD 39, 38 preamp bryston 7b and the ribbon tweeter maggies. The CD was Branford Marcellus duet with his father. So good that the salesman went out and bought the cd.
I think the 7b's were about $4k.
If you want to go all out like the $10k-27k atma spheres'. We can have a shoot out tube vs solid state.
If you pay attention, I have nothing but praise for the atma spheres. Wouldn't mind owning them myself. Those tubes must produce a beautiful glow at night. I just think transistors offer more speed than tubes. If you don't mind the softened transients of tubes please be my guess.