|
|
Post by leonski on Jun 18, 2021 22:59:39 GMT -5
I've been searching around, curious about completely changing direction in my system..... to that end, I became curous about HIGH sensitivity speakers. those over maybe 95db /1 watt / 1 meter........Certainly very good at turning electricity into sound. And might not even need more than 15 or 20 watts per speaker.....GOOD WATTS. I found an American company from of all places.....PEORIA ILLINOIS. The company in question? DECWARE. They make some amazing amps from 'flea' power of mayb 2 or so per channel all the way to maybe 40 or so. You'll have to go LOOK since they have features I've never seen in other amps. Regulated power. Flexible tube choice. Interesting and novel controls...... www.decware.com/newsite/homepage.htmlAnd the ICING on the CAKE? a LIFETIME guarantee which is transferrible upon recertification by the factory! But not 'cheap' in any sense of the word. Not 2$ per watt or whatever. a LOT more.... I'm looking at the TORII JR, which is 20x2 and uses EL34 output tubes. The DOWNSIDE? Not at retail....at all. And the waiting list? Extends OUT for about 8 months. Very low production rate at the highest quality...... These are VERY quiet amps, which is good for the highest sensitiity speakers while they use some of the best transformers (output) available for very wide bandwidth. I'm not clear on AUTO BIAS which I think some of 'em DO have, but not all. They make a FINE line of headphone amps, as well. I'm VERY curious about this amp and how well it may or may not play with Klipsch Forte IV speakers...... |
|
|
|
Post by 405x5 on Jun 19, 2021 8:16:49 GMT -5
Website reads like Snake 🐍 oil Heaven! www.decware.com/newsite/homepage.htmlIMHO you have typical thinking reversed. The loudspeakers sensitivity is a consequence of the design, but the sound quality of the thing comes first. What’s needed to drive (less critical) comes later. |
|
|
|
Post by AudioHTIT on Jun 19, 2021 9:11:17 GMT -5
Agreed, pick your speakers first, then find an amp that drives them properly. 🔊😍 🔊
|
|
|
|
Post by audiobill on Jun 19, 2021 10:30:34 GMT -5
Here are some nice SET kits, if that's of interest - high quality parts, etc.: ankaudiokits.com/ |
|
|
|
Post by 405x5 on Jun 19, 2021 10:34:41 GMT -5
Here are some nice SET kits, if that's of interest - high quality parts, etc.: ankaudiokits.com/Equally snakeoily |
|
|
|
Post by audiobill on Jun 19, 2021 10:40:11 GMT -5
Well, certainly not Emotiva…..
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Jun 19, 2021 10:42:22 GMT -5
Well, certainly not Emotiva….. that'd be a more neutral oil that doesn't leave so much oily film or residue  |
|
|
|
Post by audiobill on Jun 19, 2021 10:42:54 GMT -5
Or leaky capacitor oil!
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Jun 19, 2021 10:44:44 GMT -5
Inside Emo's secret Research and Development lab. Here's the cap test: |
|
|
|
Post by 405x5 on Jun 19, 2021 11:19:34 GMT -5
Inside Emo's secret Research and Development lab. Here's the cap test: Takes me back to my pyromania childhood! |
|
|
|
Post by audiobill on Jun 19, 2021 11:23:08 GMT -5
Speaking of which, any word of Emo upgrading capacitors?
|
|
|
|
Post by 405x5 on Jun 19, 2021 11:28:43 GMT -5
Speaking of which, any word of Emo upgrading capacitors? There’s a spot in the “Ask Keith” section awaiting you |
|
DYohn
Emo VIPs 
Posts: 18,494
|
Post by DYohn on Jun 19, 2021 11:30:34 GMT -5
Decware amps are good, nothing really special. Typical tube amp sound. If you want something made in the USA but much more special, get a set of Wavelength Cardinals or Butler Monads.
|
|
|
|
Post by 405x5 on Jun 19, 2021 11:31:36 GMT -5
I keep a spare dual run capacitor at the ready for my AC compressor (it’s got plenty of oil inside)
|
|
|
|
Post by audiobill on Jun 19, 2021 11:33:00 GMT -5
I can’t find Keith’s musings….,Maybe all a part of “rethinking the high end”, sigh.
|
|
|
|
Post by leonski on Jun 20, 2021 1:13:38 GMT -5
Website reads like Snake 🐍 oil Heaven! www.decware.com/newsite/homepage.htmlIMHO you have typical thinking reversed. The loudspeakers sensitivity is a consequence of the design, but the sound quality of the thing comes first. What’s needed to drive (less critical) comes later. You are again not quite right. For amps in the 2 to 20 watt / channel catagory, you CAN start by specifying a minimally acceptable sensitivity. My 84 or whatever DB panels need NOT apply, even though they are considered an electrically benign load. What would be your objection to my finding some high sensitivity speakers I LIKED? Maybe that'll never nappen. Maybe I will find I can't stand HORN drivers or perhaps a single driver speaker may sound fine but lack the extension I desire. Lots of POTENTIAL roadblocks. Maybe I will run OUT OF THE KLIPSCH dealer screaming and trying to plug my ears. Or maybe not? Steve of Decware is quite a bit self-taught. And has some interesting ideas about regulation and runs his output tubes fairly conservatively. EL34 amps (pairs per side) may run 35 x 2 watts....like the Stereo 70 from Dynaco. The Decware EL34 run either 2x20 or 2x25 for either of 2 different models. And he uses EXTREME wide bandwidth output transformers. This puts the -3db points at useful frequencies without the penelty of phase shift. His amps are ALSO, as near as I can figure, NATIVE LOW DISTORTION without the fallback position of FEEDBACK......So he ends up with a very nice even harmonic train at low amplitudes......Good Job.... Most of his circuit descriptions are pretty good. First describe the state of the art or 'normal' than what he does differently. Sometimes quite a bit differently. 2 other points, if I may? Owners of these amps are nearly 100% in agreement that they are very good indeed. And 2nd? Lifetime Guarantee which is transferrible...... |
|
|
|
Post by leonski on Jun 20, 2021 1:37:50 GMT -5
Decware amps are good, nothing really special. Typical tube amp sound. If you want something made in the USA but much more special, get a set of Wavelength Cardinals or Butler Monads. DY, You don't want to look at what stereophile says about the Cardinals.....a real mess on the bench....... Need to look at those Butler amps...but already am thinking that they are WAY over the top money-wise....... I think the Decware just MIGHT be 'special'. If you look at what steve is up to, he has been doing the work of 5 people. He runs ALL amps in for a long time before shipping and PERSONLLY QCs each product before shipping. I'm not a big fan of 'inspecting quality into' a product, but given his results and small run numbers, I'm not going to beef.... Though If i had his ear, I'd try to talk to him about the difference between continuous PRODUCT improvement and continuous PROCESS improvement..... This whole idea could still blow up in my face if I simply do not like any of the proposed high sensitivity speakers.....I couldn't imagine running my panels on an 8 watt 300b amp! |
|
|
|
Post by garbulky on Jun 20, 2021 2:11:30 GMT -5
Well, certainly not Emotiva….. Well, Emotiva did buy Carver's tube amp brand though!  |
|
|
|
Post by Soup on Jun 20, 2021 7:23:36 GMT -5
Always love the look of Tubes plus they have a high Wife Approval Factor!
|
|
|
|
Post by 405x5 on Jun 20, 2021 7:45:23 GMT -5
Always love the look of Tubes plus they have a high Wife Approval Factor! I couldn’t think of anything farther out of my wife’s head than a tube. |
|
