Powered speakers show audiophiles are confused

Ok @thespeakerfude @kota1 I have a test for you both. You have seen my home system (Not the mixing system) and I have a chance to give it a $200k upgrade, I love the high and mid that Im getting from my main 9hs I love the bass I'm getting form my JL 113 subs (but I really hate but buz) I hate the noise floor of my PS Audio  BHK preamp, love my surround speakers. I don't want to mix and match equipment all the time I'd like to get really good non tube amp equipment with a very low noise floor that I can keep forever. The stereo part of the system must be top notch. I what would you guys do with my sound system. You both know how I feel that a system should work together the Steinway Lyngdorf systems are the perfect example. I do want tube sound without the stupid tubes. Thanks 

@donavabdear

First, thanks for the shout out. This is not the thread for a build. What I would do in your shoes is start a build thread and get contributions from the entire community here. Asking for "tube sound" without tubes is going to depend on the "tube sound" that pleases you. Then it has to be a "tube sound" through your speakers. I do know of one solid state amp that had a switch on the back for either tube sound or solid state. Would the sound please you on your Paradigm speakers? Who can tell.

I have tried various amps on my passive version of the Paradigm Studio Reference speakers. There was one amp that when I connected it in bi-amp mode threw the most incredible wall to wall, floor to ceiling soundstage. The Carver AV 505 THX certified amp. This amp was a precursor to Bob’s next company Sunfire where he took the power supply technology one step further by adding two types of connections, voltage and current. (See Robert Greene’s comments in 10 Most Significant amps of all time)

Here is a page of reviews from owners of the Sunfire Signature amp:

and here is a link to the manual, see page 13 about the voltage and current source connections.

From Steve Guttenbergs review:

A unique connectivity option appears on the amplifier’s main left and right speaker connections, which are labeled "Voltage Source," and "Current Source." Over my Dynaudio speakers, the Voltage outputs sounded more detailed with better-defined bass, while the Current connection definitely shifted the balance toward a bigger, fatter, more three-dimensional sound. So, the TGA-5400 took on some of the sonic personality of some audiophile tube amps.

The MCH amps have this feature too but you will have to find them on the second hand market.

If you are looking for the Sunfire look for the TGA 7401. If you bi-amp your 9H speakers with the voltage source to the woofer and current source to the tweeter (the 7401 is 400W a channel) that would be 800W per speaker I think you will be a happy camper. Your speakers are rated to 500W but I don’t think they will have a problem with this amp. You will have 3 channels left over for your CC and your surrounds:

@donavabdear ,

I am not up on all the latest in home audio equipment to even begin to spend $200K, and it would definitely take a good review of the space, understand what potential acoustic issues there are, etc.

However, before throwing out the baby with the bath water, maybe we need to change the water first?  One comment on the tubes, I am not an expert on them, but I thought the tubes in pre-amps or pre-amp sections could last 10 years? That does not seem like much of a hassle if you like the sound.

Just a quick perusal. You only have a single left and right balanced output, which I assume is going to the amplifier? What are you running to the sub? One of the unbalanced outputs? Those are not the quietest outputs, but not the worst.
 

- The amplifier gain (Stereophile) is high and you can't control it

- The noise on unbalanced outputs of the preamp is high, but looks like about 90db on the balanced. Not solid state, but not awful

- The output level of the preamp is high (and looks like that may be where the SNR is done)

- You probably have a ground loop to your sub. Isolation transformer to power your sub, audio isolation transformer to isolate the single ended connection if that is what you have

- With the amp gain so high, you need to gain up your sub to match, making the buzz/noise worse.

Your amp is MOSFET output, so it won't behave like a regular tube amplifier with output transformers and tube amp output resistance. I think that is what that Sunfire was trying to emulate. Maybe its the distortion of the tube preamp you like, maybe the tube section of the amp, maybe the two together, or maybe something completely different.  I think I would start with a new SS pre-amp with lots of balanced outputs including one for the subs/mono and preferably one that lets you set the relative outputs.   With your budget, I am sure you could get a loner.  I would start with something with really low distortion and noise floor. Maybe you will like it, but at least it will give you a baseline.

As for the $200K budget first check out the Sunfire amp to see if you get the "toobie goodness" without the tubes. After biamping the 9H’s use the current source connections (at 400w a channel) on your CC and surrounds.

Please start a build thread for the rest, not really appropriate for a thread on powered speakers.

Review on the Sunfire 7401:

The so-called "current sources" with big internal resistance modulate the work of a tube amp. But you can switch to Voltage Source connectors - in this case the amplifier will work as a voltage source with minimal internal resistance and as a consequence maximal damping of the load.

We started the test with "current" terminals. The device immediately conquered by sonority and a completely smooth musical balance. It has a tremendous energy in the area of the lowest "seismic" basses and elaborates very well overhangs. But TGA-7401 didn’t surprise by absolute dynamics. Yeah, this device can provide a clear sound at the most powerful levels, but - without fiery temperament. The sound here is relaxed and open, rich and calm. It’s amazing but having such a phlegmatic character, the sound can’t be called slow. The device conveys the relief of drums accurately, deeply digs for each harmonic and is able to give copper, entrancing by its brightness, naturalness and beauty. It is really special. It’s hard to remember an amplifier from this price category, which not only gladdens by detailing but also by exceptional harmonic resolution in the uppercase. Each played plate is unique and inimitable in Sunfire!

An interesting metamorphosis occurs at switching speaker system to Voltage source terminals. Bass is slightly offloaded and accelerated, overhangs become shorter and more sharp, but the energy doesn’t weaken but as if brightens. Yes, the sound picture turns out to be less somatic, but more transparent and better detailed. This mode is good when you want to get the purest transmission of sound atmosphere as well as the most accurate scene.

http://www.hifi-review.com/152484-sunfire-tga-7401.html