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  3. 1343235799

For the sound, or?????



About three years ago or so, we auditioned a tube amp with a pedigree name driving a set of speakers exactly like the ones my friend owned. It was certainly nothing to write home about. Actually, it was more than a bit mushy in the top end.
After we listened to it for an hour and a half, trying I/C's and speaker placement, they had to bring it to another room for a demo.
We still wanted to try a few I/C's so while we waited for the amp to be available again, I demo'd a few D/A's they had in stock just for kicks.
I hooked up the only other amp available at the time, an old scratched up 80 watt transistor name-brand amp the shop used for testing in the back room.
The speakers immediately came to life! Detail, control, subtle layering...POOF! It was all there.

We were shocked to say the least.

The amp we had been auditioning was in the 3-5K range and the old amp that had lived on the solder bench for more than ten years sells for around $120 on ebay in good shape, let alone a beat up example like this one.

A chat with both techs verified there had been no mods to the old Amplifier.
A listen by three different salesman and the techs from the back had heads shaking and smiles all around.

(He went home with the pricey tube amp.)

When I asked him why, he said he could not bring himself to own all that nice esoteric gear and have it powered by a name-brand 30 year old amp that he would have had to hide.

While I am far less interested in looks than most, I simply cannot imagine someone spending more to get less...so the face-plates will complement each other. (Especially when the price difference was this outrageous)

More recently, I checked out a set of single driver home-made speakers. While we were playing with placement and measuring reflections, we ended up substituting the tube amp for a 35 year old 22 watt mid fi receiver.
The difference was instantly obvious and for the better...like...a LOT better.

When I left, the tube amp was back in place.

Reason? "Because my SET friends would not believe it or take me seriously with that old Kenwood receiver powering my speakers.

I cannot help but wonder how many people have spent money for less sound and a prettier/more exclusive face plate.

How many of you have actually done something like this...or been there when it is happening right in front of you?
gumbydammit

Showing 5 responses by gumbydammit

gumbydammit OP
186 posts
 
Jult52, sorry I missed your question. I cannot ID the gear.
Learned long ago unless it belongs to me...mums the word.
It was only my opinion and while it impressed us, who is to say that after a week with it he would have been satisfied.

Since I created this thread, the idea has solidified in my head (amazing, since it is 80% rocks) about people worrying about what looks good as much or more than what sounds good.

Some of the DAC's out there are prime examples. In blind tests, folks seem to go for the less pricey models. At least that has been my experience lately.
gumbydammit OP
186 posts
 
Chayro, I think the magic here is the synergy.

There is no question that if you shop patiently, you can make your money improve your sound.

However, there are bargains to be had in used gear as well if patience is applied.

Too bad people seem to buy audio as much with their eyes and prestige("mine cost more than yours") instead of solely with their ears.

Van Alstine, Audionics and other products like them could be passed over in preference of the "steam punk super duper Dr Whovian wonder looker" component.

I think that is messed up.
gumbydammit OP
186 posts
 
DonJr, How many other offerings have you auditioned?

For 5k+ there are so many choices...
gumbydammit OP
186 posts
 
Don, I am not sure if this would be something you would try, but an online friend rid himself of tubes after he auditioned a (I think) 6500 Musical Fidelity.
His thing is the way it can be a 500wpc integrated, yet has the "delicacy at low levels like my flea power tube gear."
I guess the next one down, at 200wpc, fits right in your price range and sounds very much the same...but with less power.
I am told when there is no signal, nothing comes out. This may sound elementary, but he is the third person who has commented this way about these amps. Black hole silence between passages and warp speed transients. (Not my words...but when three people say the same thing...)
Might be worth a listen. It is not something I often hear about solid state at low volume levels.
I wish I could hear a few of the offerings mentioned in this thread.
gumbydammit OP
186 posts
 
Talk about bringing an old thread to the front again...LOL

donjr, I see you now have a very nice amp.

Very impressive, but totally shocking, considering the one you were contemplating when we had this exchange in 2013.
Did you try out several before settling on the Accuphase?
There is no way I could send you a message...hope you see this.
I have been away for a long time.
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