New system on the way...

[sasaki kojiro]

Hi,
I'm new here, and thought it would be cool to get some impressions on some new components to arrive soon.


Galante Rapsody : These will arrive next week, and I have no idea what to expect. It is basically step one into the low powered SET arena.

Fi X : Step two, due to arrive at the end of the month. It will have the Magnequest transformer option and the passive volume control and inputs as well.

I'm kind of nervous and have no idea what to expect. One concern is the passive contols built into the Fi--an option I took because I can't quite afford a preamp right this minute. I do have low capacitance cables of 1m or less so I should be good in that dept, but there are other issues that I don't quite understand. The other concern is the strength of my current system of which I am very enamoured.

Quicksilver Mini Mites (25w EL34 monoblocs)
LW-1 passive
Phillips SACD 1000
Rogers LS3/5a (11ohm)
Zu Varial ICs (throughout)
Acoustic Zen Satori speaker wires
Virtual Dynamics Reference PC (cdp)
ACI Force sub

Basically, and although they are not without their own weaknesses, the LS3/5a has qualities that can affect a music lovers ability to enjoy other speakers. I'm determined to keep an open mind, however. Feel free to comment, critisize, say Hi or whatever you feel like doing...

[MikE]

Nice to have some new blood around here, especially seeing your SET aspirations. I'm a relatively new SET fan myself, and there are a few others on board as well. I think you have made a very wise decision to not only go SET but in the specific choices of components; the Galante and Fi are both very-respected and should make fast friends together! I think the combo could be magical together, even considering your prior (excellant) reference at hand.

The Fi X can use either 2a3 or 45. I would highly recommend you give the 45 a whirl. I'm assuming you're buying new from Don, and does he still supply it with 2a3 tubes or does he sell just the amp w/o output tubes? He probably offers the Sovtek 2a3's which are fine. I'd get those but in the mean time I'd scan Ebay for a pair of 45s to sample when the amp arrives. Don't be picky, just about any ST 45 would be fine as long as it has some good life left in them.

You may also want to talk to Don about "rotating the tube sockets". The risk is that, over time, if you are using a stock Fi X in its on-end orientation, the internal grid wiring of the 45 may sag and short against the plate or filament. That is possible if the tube is held horizontally and with the plane of the plate parallel with the floor. The sockets are normally installed so that, for a 2A3, the plane of the plate is parallel with the wall. A 45's plate is rotated 90- degrees with respect to the base pins, compared to the orientation of a 2A3 and, when installed in the stock unit, will be parallel to the floor.

You could fashion some kind of cradle if you plan to use BOTH tubes over time but honestly (IMO) once you hear the two output tubes you'll want 45s in there. So at least mention the "tube socket" issue with him before he ships. I can share with you the sonic differences between both tubes, and then you can judge for yourself based on your preferences. Of course, listening will be the only way to see which you like better but my amp - Moth s45 - uses 2a3 or 45 and I have used 45s exclusively 5 of the 6 months I've owned it. With the 2a3 (RCA bi-plate or Sovtek) I'm listening to the tube, with 45s (either ST or globe) I'm listening to the music.

I think you'll like the passive (Alps?) in the amp. I previously used the FT Audio LW-1 also and asked Moth to use a 10k Borne pot in my amp. I never compared the two, as I sold the passive before the amp arrived, but losing the interconnect/internal wire seemed like a logical move to me. You should compare them IYS. I know Don uses silver internal hookup wire. I would suggest you try some narrow-gauge (20-26awg) solid silver wire encased in teflon tubing as a substitute speaker "cable". I was very impressed with this cheap upgrade.

Basically, you have made some good choices here and you should'nt be afraid (EZ for me to say) but I understand why you would be. I mulled over switching form my VAC EL34 PP amp to the SET Moth for months before I pulled the trigger. Now I'm considering replacing my dynamic 3-way Silverline Sonatinas for a single-driver or horn-loaded speaker. Like yourself, the satisfaction derived from my current speaker (system) leaves me nervous about change but sometimes taking a calculated risk is required to reach fulfillment.

Best of luck and do post your findings when the goodies arrive!

MikE

[Thatch_Ear]

Hi Sasaki,
I own a one off 300B SRPP circuit with a 6SL7 driver using an Alps pot for passive.
At the moment I am listening to an old pair of Shahinian Obelisks and am in the process of collecting the parts to build some 98 db Transmission Lines.
I DIY my better ICs and cables and have one of the cheap little Sony SACD for a source and am liking it.
My stereo does become the front for watching movies so everything gets a good work out.
Welcome to AK and after you get your new toys in, if you have a camera be sure and post in our gallery section so we can see.

[sasaki kojiro]

Thanks for the responses!

MikE,
I think the standard X that I ordered does not include the silver hookup wire.

I also plan to rig a vinyl setup later next year, and wonder if most phono preamp need the additional gain afforded by an active pre. I'll ask Don since he has his own phono design.

How would you compare the high frequency response of your PP and SET amps (both 2A3 and 45 tubes)? Does one give more extension or brightness than the other? I prefer a smoother, mellower treble extension over one that leans towards hyper-detail. I'm know probably in the minority on this.

Thatch_Ear,
I'm becoming interested in the DIY TQWT variants, and also have the abilty to build them (time is another story). We'll see.

[MikE]

Ok, comparing an excellant EL34 triode amp with KILLER vintage tubes to the Moth 45 SET. I never directly compared the two so my accounts are from long-term memory. After tweaking the system the treble response of the VAC-based system went from a liability to a stenght - pure, clean, atmospheric, smooth, extended highs. My understanding of the 45 Moth-based system is that the HF may not be as extended and the ambience is different from the VAC. As well as SETs image, my old PP system did this beautifully. What I honestly think is going on is this, which will sound like I'm making excuses for SET. The SET system focus' my attention more on two things (three really). 1> The wonderful, angelic mid-range. 2> The rhythmic, proplusive bass with 45 tubes. And 3> The fact I'm absolutely not listening for "audio-related" issues - I only hear the music as the entire system steps back. Yes, this has something to do with a perspective issue but relates as much to personality also.

So I don't "focus" on the HF as much (but I don't miss it either) as I'm listening with greater ease to the music principally and the electronic artifacts I do hear are much more in the midrange and or bass regions. It's a nice combination of stenghts. The PP amp used EL34 tubes which are a good bit more colored than the SET 2a3 or 45s. The 45 is about as big a leap (if not bigger) as the EL34 to 2a3. The 2a3 is euphoric, romantic if you like that. The 2a3 is like a dream, the 45 is like waking up but still having the dream happen. Instead of vague it's clear, clean and "just right". Once heard it's hard to go back to anything else (SS or tube).

Just listen for yourself. The difference is not one you must "listen for", it's self-evident.

MikE

http://66.221.25.117/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1079

[sasaki kojiro]

Well said. This is going to be a very long months wait for the FI X to arrive. What you are describing seems to be exactly what I am looking for.