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I'm Fixing a Hole/Heil...

Ever try to do critical listening on a (stereo) cell phone?
Will need to listen on something a bit nicer.
 
I power my Mojo AMT 3’s through a Primaluna KT-88 40 watt tube amp w/ a Proton AP1000 pre ( very tube like).
All I can say, is it smokes all of my high powered SS combinations of the past.
They also sound equally good good with 40watts of Primaluna EL34 and a Van Alstine tube preamp.
The KT88 holds a slight edge with the 3’s.
Just as I recall years ago, with my fathers kit built all tube gear- good tubes watts are a different animal than SS.
These 40 watts play more than plenty loud.
If you’re looking for a concert hall levels on the continual basis, not the hot ticket- but how many people really do that on a daily basis, if they want to be honest?
You’d be dealing with tinnitus….not good.


I mean well designed tube gear here.
Not a $300 tube amplifier kit off Amazon.
The transformers have just as much, if not more to do with the sound, and how they drive the speakers as the tube themselves.
Myself can’t see going back to SS.
This is the way music reproduction should be.
Something about Prima Luna power amps and ribbons that’s a great match.
I tried a Rogue Stereo 100.
I didn’t try swapping out the tubes, because it didn’t seem it would help.
No real synergy.
 
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Where does the Sun Conure fit into your listening system?
When Ginko was alive, he sure enjoyed music and being part of the family.
But talk about damaging your hearing!!
He could be super loud and super annoying when he wanted to be.
Most people don’t know, but along with high intelligence, Conures are highly emotional.
And protecting.
Miss him, he was a big part of the family.
Excellent book as well IMHO.....
The Wild Parrots of Telegraph Hill - Wikipedia
 
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I power my Mojo AMT 3’s through a Primaluna KT-88 40 watt tube amp w/ a Proton AP1000 pre ( very tube like).
All I can say, is it smokes all of my high powered SS combinations of the past.

If you go back to Post #40, you will hear why I prefer my high current, solid state Yamaha to my Melton KT-88 amp. Can you do a video showing why you prefer your KT-88 amp? As demonstrated in Post #40, YouTube is certainly able to convey the differences.
 
If you go back to Post #40, you will hear why I prefer my high current, solid state Yamaha to my Melton KT-88 amp. Can you do a video showing why you prefer your KT-88 amp? As demonstrated in Post #40, YouTube is certainly able to convey the differences.
Thanks for the offer,
I’m not interested in posting things on YouTube, etc.
Self employed, full house, two sets of twins a 20 something home body, 20 acres and two rental properties ( soon to be for the kids)…my priorities…
And frankly, if I’m gonna to take the time to listen to someone system, I’m gonna do it in the listening room and be present, not something on YouTube.
It’s not the same.

You’re into it and that’s fine.
I’m simply not.
And frankly, there are huge differences in our systems and speakers let alone the amplifiers and preamps. Apple and oranges IMHO.
(A FrankenChrist speaker/Ethel vs ESS AMT3. A existing, relatively successful marketwise, design.)

Primaluna have a musical organic sound, balanced with great dynamics in a blend that other amps don’t have. All the detail, but easy to hear, especially over extended periods.
Plenty of info out there to give you the gest of where they are coming from.
Online and trade mags.
I would suggest borrowing one and plug it into your system.
IMHO hands on in your own system is still the best way to hear for yourself.

Will you prefer it?
I have no clue.
Like all things audio, there’s simply isn’t one size fits all.
Not to mention synergy.
For myself and my needs they where a welcome addition.
One thing I noticed of late especially with broadcast FM, my 3’s have a much realistic voicing then my Infinity RSiiia’s.
Very natural, dynamic yet smooth.
IMHO a lot of that has to do with the cap choice, but the PL seems to make the extra best of it, unlike the SS amps.
When I get some time to recap the infinities, I’ll revisit this.
FIY the cap breakin period with this combo was a bit long...but seems to be normal when mixing cap types from what I gather...

To me, the important thing is finding the right fit and synergy that works for you.
Not me, or anyone else.
Yourself.
In my opinion, that’s the cool thing about this hobby is there’s plenty of information you can use easily and intelligently to get where you would like to go.
Then you can enjoy the music along with the rest of life..
Plus you gained some knowledge as well.
Win/win


I get it though.
Some are on a constant quest for what they feel is the next best audio thing.
And/ or into comparing/ competing their audio systems...or combo platter...etc..
Whatever works….
 
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Speaking of parrots, the USA had native ones that went the way of the DODO.
And in Brooklyn, Quakers (birds, not human variety) have huge colonies.
Con Edison takes every opportunity to remove the nests and kill the birds.
You will be put in jail for killing a squirrel, but not a self-aware parrot.
 
We live in Orange County, CA where the parrots are taking over. IIRC, there are 13 separate species that now inhabit the county. They are extremely noisy, messy, obnoxious, and steal peoples' fruit and nuts. Luckily, I think the hawks in our particular neighborhood keep them at bay, but they are all around passing over regularly and I've had them land in my trees.

https://www.ocregister.com/2006/06/...d here include,parakeets are also common here.
 
Speaking of parrots, the USA had native ones that went the way of the DODO.
And in Brooklyn, Quakers (birds, not human variety) have huge colonies.
Con Edison takes every opportunity to remove the nests and kill the birds.
You will be put in jail for killing a squirrel, but not a self-aware parrot.
Sure…
Quakers… cool goofy birds…
Amazingly parrots/ varieties are very resourceful and resilient birds….
The cluelessness, lack of universal awareness, of otherwise seemingly intelligent humans is astounding.....
Peter Singer, more or less-your chickens come home to roost......
 
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I did some more experimentation on the Heils, again, with good results.

In this case, I thought that the addition of a piece of felt to the half-round wedge would have an effect, good, bad, or indifferent. And of course it does. It changes the frequency band/phase a bit which seems to better integrate the Heil to the 10" (will have to look more into that later), improves articulation, and removes a bit of peakiness/glare. This is possible because of the absorption of the sound wave off the wedge being reflected back toward the diaphragm which can cause reinforcement/cancellation of the forward wave and/or interfere with the movement of the diaphragm. Alternative, maybe the felts are letting a hint of air pass the wedges so the lower portion of the specturm takes on more of a "no wedge" slope. Adsorption in the crossover area can also remove glare if it reduces interaction between the drivers where they come together sonically. Or maybe...

Yeah, a picture is worth 1,000 words. In all cases the readings were obtained using a Behringer DEQ2496 with the Behringer mic placed center Heil at the end of the "flair" and all readings were obtained with the Heils in-place through the 2nd order, 3,000 Hz Butterworth crossovers.

Left and right without wedges:
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80-dsc_0001_af6a58820093db9b30e95c14f737e066fcbe463f.jpg


Left and right Heils with wedges, but no felts:
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80-dsc_0002_afe04b6abdaa7b8524dd32f59b7fdda62a15e863.jpg

And finally, left and right Heils with felt-covered wedges:
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80-dsc_0003_9eb8e7f638a37ecec29b9f3d9e93aab502191e80.jpg
 
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Nice.

Just to add, a nice alternative to KT88 power tubes are the TungSol 7581a’s. They are very dynamic, and have that 6L6GC elasticity and punch, with out the mid scoop. Very even top to bottom tight bass response.
Plenty of power, like a KT88.

A nice power tube alternative @ $145 quad matched burned/ retested.

The tight bass, along with its sheer ‘musical JJ’ quality is why I prefer the JJ KT 88’s over the GL’s Svetlanta’s, Psvane, Sino KT 88’s.
One of the advantages PL tubes amps gave over many others is their transformers are over built, and have plenty of juice to drive any current/ past power tube no issues.
The Prologue 4 and 5 remind me very much of a Citation V.

They both start with more then capable output transformers.

Power ratings , tube vs SS really becomes irrelevant. Because at that point it’s all about enjoying the music.
They can drive virtually any speaker out there and make the best of it.

They aren’t the most transparent, they aren’t the most musical, not the most powerful, but they make the best of what’s available sound very damn good.

Van Alstine and his latest tube preamps have that same quality.
IMHO especially when you follow Van Alstine, show a progression and audio maturity so to speak, that makes total sense in enjoying music reproduction.

The JJ 6l6GC-IMHO is another great power tube in it's own right.
$$115 quad burned in and tested!!
In most cases plenty of power. And is one of the most natural sounding tubes your likely to run across.
The smaller PL amps-like the Prologue's-or the newer Evo 100's make it easy to really get the most out over a variety of power tubes. To really hear what they SHOULD sound like.
They have enough power for most audiophiles I would imagine. They play very loud and clean with my Infinity's and Mojo AMT3's-but they aren't concert level. These days' I don't need that. Very loud is enough. Plus there musicality and natural transparency is hard to find with most amps out there. Let alone under 1k a piece!
 
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I own a Jolida JD502CRC tube amp with a quad of Gold Lion KT88 tubes (65-80w/ch), but I'm running an Acurus A200 amp
instead while tuning up the 3 ways I'm building with the Great Heils on top ... The tubes may be sweeter with some music,
but I want the Acurus for the critical set up as the new drivers (woofers and mid-diaphragms) break in.
The Teak rear screens limit the back field to some degree, but I'll hit Michael's tomorrow and try Todd's 1/4 foam rear shaper ...

L200-L212_JBLs_2954.jpeg
 
Perhaps obvious to most, but after a month or so working with the Heils it seems pretty plain that the best treatment for the Heils depends on the room.
 
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