@
digepix
As the US Distributor of YBA, I wanted to add info that helps to understand why YBA is sometimes described as "tube-like".
Yves-Bernard André patented his "Class-A alpha" design that offers distinct features, as he describes:
1. The Power Supply remains in full "Class A" operation using an Ultra Linear UI-Core transformer of YBA design.
2. The output stage delivers only the power required by the music signal.
3. "Therefore, you have the sonic quality of Class A operation
- linear output with current on demand - without the negatives."
4. "Therefore, our amplifiers run cool, which improves reliability and avoids thermal stress on the components and the resultant parasitic vibrations."
So with YBA offering sound purity of "normal" Class A solid state amplifiers, one can easily infer YBA amps have a tube-like sound quality...but with the control and extension of the best solid state designs.
Hope that helps....
PS: personally I still have my original Rogers LS3/5A in use in my office system but will sometimes move them to the reference YBA "Passion" system and drive them with the A650 (200w/ch) amplifier with extraordinary results. Those BBC engineers certainly knew what they were doing!
As the US Distributor of YBA, I wanted to add info that helps to understand why YBA is sometimes described as "tube-like".
Yves-Bernard André patented his "Class-A alpha" design that offers distinct features, as he describes:
1. The Power Supply remains in full "Class A" operation using an Ultra Linear UI-Core transformer of YBA design.
2. The output stage delivers only the power required by the music signal.
3. "Therefore, you have the sonic quality of Class A operation
- linear output with current on demand - without the negatives."
4. "Therefore, our amplifiers run cool, which improves reliability and avoids thermal stress on the components and the resultant parasitic vibrations."
So with YBA offering sound purity of "normal" Class A solid state amplifiers, one can easily infer YBA amps have a tube-like sound quality...but with the control and extension of the best solid state designs.
Hope that helps....
PS: personally I still have my original Rogers LS3/5A in use in my office system but will sometimes move them to the reference YBA "Passion" system and drive them with the A650 (200w/ch) amplifier with extraordinary results. Those BBC engineers certainly knew what they were doing!