Hi all,
I’ve certainly learned a few things through this insightful exchange - thanks Charles and Atmosphere! I don’t know as much as I’d like to about amplifier topologies, but this has helped me a lot!
if I have any other listening takeaways, I’ll definitely let you know - I haven’t entirely thrown in the towel on high powered SS amps and may try another just to see.
Take care
samuel
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sfmorris, It would be very interesting if you could acquire another high current solid state amp as an additional data point. I must say though that the Accuphase is considered to be an upper echelon solid state amplifier. They don't get much better than that esteem Japanese brand. Charles |
I just discovered this fascinating thread! I have a new LX-380 coming to pair eventually with Cornwall IV. But until the CWs ship in a week or two, given the OP’s results with his Sony, I’m going to jump in and try the Luxman on my trusty PMC IB2i.
At 89bd 1w/1m, 4 ohms nominal dipping to around 3.8, and with a sharp phase angle around 60Hz, the PMCs present a similar load profile to the Sony SS AR1. Typically, I run them with more than 200w SS Class A. If the LX-380 is able to do them any justice at all, I will be astonished!
Amp arrives tomorrow. I’ll report back.
Bill
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Hey Bill!
Just saw your note - how did the pairing go?
Thanks
Samuel |
@sfmorris , Hi Samuel, Here's what I wrote in another thread about the LX-380 soon after I got it:
I’ve been playing around with it on PMC IB2i and ADS L1290/2. I’m rather stunned by its quality and versatility.
In
theory, at 14w into 4 ohms, the Luxman should have no business with the
89db, 4ohm load of the PMCs in my main system. But it drives them with
aplomb, easily energizing my 600+sq/ft room and sounding sweet, clear,
and rich. It even provides decent bass, which is spec’ed down to 25hz on
the Ib2i. Now, I usually drive these speakers with 200 watts of Class A
solid state. In the past I’ve used 150w/channel VAC 300.1a tube amp.
So, I expected the paltry wattage of the Luxman to strain and clip and
choke, sounding thin and generally lousy. Quite the opposite: this
combo, a complete mismatch on paper, sounds remarkably good. Not quite
up to my big amps on these speakers but definitely listenable.
Moving
it into my office system on the ADS L1290 was even better. These
speakers are 90db at 8 ohms, a slightly more congenial load, but not one
you’d think ideal. I’m kind of blown away by this combo. It is
excellent. I might just keep it together and find something else for the
Cornwalls!
Bottom line is, Luxman must wind some fantastic
output transforms because this low-watt IA seems to drive anything.
All of this still holds, but I would add that while the Lux plays remarkably well with the PMCs, I have not chosen it as the best pairing. I do lose some bass control at high SPLs compared to my SS amps, so I've stuck with them. But the fact that it plays as well as it does it with the PMCs continues to amaze. With the Klipsch and ADS, though, the Lux is right at home. Bill |
