What's your OTL tube amp experience and suggestion?


Are OTL amps in general much less reliable due to their nature, or due to the implementation quality, or both?

Perhaps this has been discussed a zillion times in the past.   Perhaps, however, makers have now improve on past experience?  So it could be worth re-visiting.

My past encounters with OTL tube amps are among the most negative: Wonderful (but never great) sound during the brief period that they work.  Otherwise, major fire hazard.  Overheating, red hot plates, sparks, consistently toasted fuses, burning smell, you name it.  My past OTL amps are like crying babies on an changing table - don't you ever walk away from an arm's distance.   The used market seem to reflect such as well --- way more 'as-is for parts' or 'totally refurbished' units than reliable 'used' units that rarely need service.

Beg your pardon if it's just my poor judgement that keep getting the lemons.   What's your experience, and tips to keep OTL amps up and running happily?


bsimpson

Showing 1 response by billspecfoc

Some years back I had the then most recent Atma-Sphere MP-1 preamp along with the MA-2 Mk 2.3 monoblocks.  They were driving Dynaudio Confidence C2s with the source being a VSE-modded Sony 777es.  The AS gear was the most transparent, fast, textured, layered equipment I have ever heard.  Everything just sounded right.

I also heard AS gear on the big (at that time) Sound Lab electrostats on a vinyl set-up. I can't remember what that vinyl rig was comprised of but what I do remember was it's total cost was in the neighborhood of about $50k.  THAT was the best system I have ever heard.

The only knock I had against Ralph's gear was the amount of heat they generated.  With the big monoblocks I had, I barely used them during the summer.  But the sound they produced was exquisite.  I also never had any problems with them.