Which amp for Tyler Acoustics Linbrook?

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  • organ
    organ Posts: 4,969
    edited February 2013
    Sweet man. Let us know how it goes. Thanks for sharing your experience with the Black Shadows.
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  • Ern Dog
    Ern Dog Posts: 2,237
    edited March 2013
    The Dragons arrived and damn they sound good. I'm still adjusting to the new sound and getting everything dialed in (had to re-calibrate the sub).

    The first thing I noticed is that I had to the turn the volume way up to get the same db as before. The second thing I noticed is that these are sooo smooth, that I could be listening at very high volumes and not even notice how loud it is. These are more linear/flat than the Pass Labs amp. The pass amp had a slight upper bass hump, which I liked, so now my ears are adjusting to no hump. There is more texture to sounds and a slight warm glow to the music. Overall, I'd say they are an improvement over the xa30.5. Probably not in the Summer though- these fat Shuguang 211 tubes run hot! I'm looking to replace them with some Psvane 211 tubes. The manufacture says these will sound better, run a little cooler, and more reliable.

    Just for kicks, I hooked the Dragons to the monitors and the Pass amp to the bass modules (my linbrooks are the 2-peice system) to hear how that would sound. I thought it was a good idea, but it didn't work out. I had to use the XLR outputs on the dac for the Pass amp and this gave it a +6 db boost, so it didn't sound right because the bass was way overpowering. Maybe I'll try this again later with my preamp in the mix, so that I won't have to use the XLR's.

    I'll take some pics soon.
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  • marvda1
    marvda1 Posts: 4,901
    edited March 2013
    i was going to suggest these http://angelcityaudio.com/products/melody-valve-hifi/pm845/ but see you have found your amps.
    Amplifiers: Norma IPA 140, MasterSound Compact 845, Ayre v6xe, Consonance Cyber 800
    Preamp: deHavilland Ultraverve 3
    Dac: Sonnet Morpheus 2, Musical Paradise mp-d2 mkIII
    Transport: Jay's Audio CDT2 mk2, Lumin U1 mini
    Speakers: Rosso Fiorentino Volterra II
    Speaker Cables: Crystal Clear Magnum Opus 2, Organic Audio Organic Reference 2
    Interconnects: Crystal Clear Magnum Opus 2, Argento Organic Reference 2, Argento Organic 2
    Power Cables: Argento Organic Reference, Synergistic Research Foundation 10 and 12 ga.
    Digital cables: Crystal Clear Magnum Opus 2 bnc, Tellurium Q aes, Silnote Audio Poseidon Signature 2 bnc
    Puritan PSM156
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  • decal
    decal Posts: 3,205
    edited March 2013
    marvda1 wrote: »
    i was going to suggest these http://angelcityaudio.com/products/melody-valve-hifi/pm845/ but see you have found your amps.

    Do you really want to buy a tube amp from a company that can't even spell vacuum correctly?
    bat.gif
    bat.gif 10.4K
    If you can't hear a difference, don't waste your money.
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  • tonyb
    tonyb Posts: 32,963
    edited March 2013
    decal wrote: »
    Do you really want to buy a tube amp from a company that can't even spell vacuum correctly?
    bat.gif

    Heck, the guys at Bat can barely speak english, doubt they could spell much better too. Wouldn't stop me from owning anything they make.
    HT SYSTEM-
    Sony 850c 4k
    Pioneer elite vhx 21
    Sony 4k BRP
    SVS SB-2000
    Polk Sig. 20's
    Polk FX500 surrounds

    Cables-
    Acoustic zen Satori speaker cables
    Acoustic zen Matrix 2 IC's
    Wireworld eclipse 7 ic's
    Audio metallurgy ga-o digital cable

    Kitchen

    Sonos zp90
    Grant Fidelity tube dac
    B&k 1420
    lsi 9's
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  • marvda1
    marvda1 Posts: 4,901
    edited March 2013
    in their case, yes....google.:biggrin:
    Amplifiers: Norma IPA 140, MasterSound Compact 845, Ayre v6xe, Consonance Cyber 800
    Preamp: deHavilland Ultraverve 3
    Dac: Sonnet Morpheus 2, Musical Paradise mp-d2 mkIII
    Transport: Jay's Audio CDT2 mk2, Lumin U1 mini
    Speakers: Rosso Fiorentino Volterra II
    Speaker Cables: Crystal Clear Magnum Opus 2, Organic Audio Organic Reference 2
    Interconnects: Crystal Clear Magnum Opus 2, Argento Organic Reference 2, Argento Organic 2
    Power Cables: Argento Organic Reference, Synergistic Research Foundation 10 and 12 ga.
    Digital cables: Crystal Clear Magnum Opus 2 bnc, Tellurium Q aes, Silnote Audio Poseidon Signature 2 bnc
    Puritan PSM156
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  • organ
    organ Posts: 4,969
    edited March 2013
    Great write up. Looking forward to seeing some pics. So you're going back to the Pass amps during the summer?
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  • Ern Dog
    Ern Dog Posts: 2,237
    edited March 2013
    Thanks for the suggestion Marv- those mono blocks look like they would be fun to try out.


    Organ- I can't afford to keep both the Pass and Dragons, so I'll be selling the Pass soon. I just wish the Dragons weren't so hot.

    The pass has been a stellar amp and I'll be sad to see it go. Might shed a tear or two. ha ha
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  • tonyb
    tonyb Posts: 32,963
    edited March 2013
    For those puppies to kick the Pass to the curb, thats a darn good achievement for those Dragons. Congrats man, your system gets better and better. Any chance of a Karma on the Pass ? :cheesygrin: If so, in with 69......
    HT SYSTEM-
    Sony 850c 4k
    Pioneer elite vhx 21
    Sony 4k BRP
    SVS SB-2000
    Polk Sig. 20's
    Polk FX500 surrounds

    Cables-
    Acoustic zen Satori speaker cables
    Acoustic zen Matrix 2 IC's
    Wireworld eclipse 7 ic's
    Audio metallurgy ga-o digital cable

    Kitchen

    Sonos zp90
    Grant Fidelity tube dac
    B&k 1420
    lsi 9's
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  • Ern Dog
    Ern Dog Posts: 2,237
    edited March 2013
    Lol, that's funny
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  • treitz3
    treitz3 Posts: 19,029
    edited March 2013
    I don't see what's funny about it. In with #3.

    Tom
    ~ In search of accurate reproduction of music. Real sound is my reference and while perfection may not be attainable? If I chase it, I might just catch excellence. ~
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  • Ern Dog
    Ern Dog Posts: 2,237
    edited March 2013
    treitz3 wrote: »
    I don't see what's funny about it. In with #3.

    Tom

    I have a better idea. Lets trade your you new highly modified, Balls out Linbrooks for the Pass amp :wink:
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  • treitz3
    treitz3 Posts: 19,029
    edited March 2013
    No pun intended but I'll "Pass" on that one.

    Tom
    ~ In search of accurate reproduction of music. Real sound is my reference and while perfection may not be attainable? If I chase it, I might just catch excellence. ~
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  • Ern Dog
    Ern Dog Posts: 2,237
    edited June 2013
    Update: I've been using the Coincident Dragon tube mono blocks for 3 months now and came to a realization: I miss the slam, weight, and bass that I had with the Pass Labs xa30.5. The dragons surpass the pass in dimensionality and texture, but they just don't have the same wallop that is needed to make music sound realistic. For example listening to a well recorded live cd, don't sound real with the Dragons, but they did with the Pass. In my system the Dragons excel with small scale music, like acoustical or jazz. Here they sound scary real. I suppose it comes down to system synergy and listening preferences.

    So, I decided to put up the Dragons for sale and will be getting another XA30.5 or XA60.5's if I can swing it. I'm also considering a Luxman M-600a.
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  • brianle
    brianle Posts: 572
    edited June 2013
    There is a pair of xa60.5 available lol

    http://app.audiogon.com/listings/solid-state-pass-labs-xa-60-5-priced-to-sell-2013-06-22-amplifiers-94022
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  • doctor r
    doctor r Posts: 837
    edited June 2013
    SET amps do have that midrange magic that no other type of amp will touch, but they are a little soft on the edges.

    I have been using a KT88 based Push/Pull (PP) VAC amp with 100 watts per channel that provides plenty of that tube midrange, but I also have well defined bass (slam when needed) and beautiful extended highs. Don't completely write off tube amps, you have just experienced the pleasure and the pain of SET amps. I love their sound, but like the Sirens of Mythology they lure you in and then.......

    Pass amps are excellent, but see if you can get your ears on a quality PP topology tube amp with some decent watts. You might find your euphoria exists somewhere between the Class A solid state and your present SET setup.

    Rick

    ps: the VAC might even sound better soon with this Audience PC I picked up from someone .........:mrgreen:
    integrated w/DAC module Gryphon Diablo 300
    server Wolf Alpha 3SX
    phono pre Dynamic Sounds Associates Phono II
    turntable/tonearms Origin Live Sovereign Mk3 dual arm, Origin Live Enterprise Mk4, Origin Live Illustrious Mk3c
    cartridges Miyajima Madake, Ortofon Windfeld Ti, Ortofon
    speakers Rockport Mira II
    cables Synergistic Research Cables, Gryphon VPI XLR, Sablon 2020 USB
    rack Adona Eris 6dw
    ultrasonic cleaner Degritter
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  • Ern Dog
    Ern Dog Posts: 2,237
    edited June 2013
    brianle wrote: »
    There is a pair of xa60.5 available lol

    http://app.audiogon.com/listings/solid-state-pass-labs-xa-60-5-priced-to-sell-2013-06-22-amplifiers-94022

    Thanks I saw that. I asked the seller if he would be interested in a trade, but he declined.
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  • Ern Dog
    Ern Dog Posts: 2,237
    edited June 2013
    doctor r wrote: »
    SET amps do have that midrange magic that no other type of amp will touch, but they are a little soft on the edges.

    I have been using a KT88 based Push/Pull (PP) VAC amp with 100 watts per channel that provides plenty of that tube midrange, but I also have well defined bass (slam when needed) and beautiful extended highs. Don't completely write off tube amps, you have just experienced the pleasure and the pain of SET amps. I love their sound, but like the Sirens of Mythology they lure you in and then.......

    Pass amps are excellent, but see if you can get your ears on a quality PP topology tube amp with some decent watts. You might find your euphoria exists somewhere between the Class A solid state and your present SET setup.

    Rick

    ps: the VAC might even sound better soon with this Audience PC I picked up from someone .........:mrgreen:

    Yes, I want the best of both worlds and haven't found it yet. Another factor is that my JL Audio F110 sub has a blown amp and so I've been limping along w/out my sub. It really adds a lot in terms of bass and weight. I think I'll get that fixed before deciding on which amp to get.

    About the Audience power cord, when I first got my tube mono blocks I was powering them with Pangea AC-9 power cords and it sounded like the music was "stuck" to the speaker, but when I tried them with Audience powerchords, the soundstage totally expanded several feet from the speaker. Everything opened up and expanded. Looks like I'm preaching to the choir, after reading what equipment you have.
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  • doctor r
    doctor r Posts: 837
    edited June 2013
    It's all in the journey. I would definitely get the JL sub in working order. That could end this entire discussion.
    integrated w/DAC module Gryphon Diablo 300
    server Wolf Alpha 3SX
    phono pre Dynamic Sounds Associates Phono II
    turntable/tonearms Origin Live Sovereign Mk3 dual arm, Origin Live Enterprise Mk4, Origin Live Illustrious Mk3c
    cartridges Miyajima Madake, Ortofon Windfeld Ti, Ortofon
    speakers Rockport Mira II
    cables Synergistic Research Cables, Gryphon VPI XLR, Sablon 2020 USB
    rack Adona Eris 6dw
    ultrasonic cleaner Degritter
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  • acmf74
    acmf74 Posts: 936
    edited April 2014
    Ern Dog wrote: »
    Well I decided to pull the trigger on tube mono blocks, Coincident Dragons MK I. They are 75 wpc. I found a used pair on audiogon that should arrive next week. More to come...

    Ern..

    I heard a full Coincident system and was blown away by the sound. What is your opinion?

    (I know this is an old post but this what came up in a search for Coincident)
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