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In the Forum: Audio For Dummies ™
In the Thread: A DSET is better then an expensive SET
Post Subject: Umm... what about the step-down tranny?Posted by Paul S on: 9/23/2007
Well, David Berning is about as clever as they come, Merlin, that's for sure, and you don't hear David making a lot of claims for his gear.  That whole step-up, HF PS/carrier idea is pretty cool, all right; I think Carver did one, too, years ago; but obviously what goes up must come down at some point.  While I can't say I connected the amp's character to its tricky circuit, I can say that the amp has a character, and further, and more important here, it has obvious limitations.  In fact, I seriously doubt that David himself would specifically recommend the amp for giant FR/multi-way speakers. I rather suspect he would say, "Try it," and let you decide for yourself.

BTW, I seriously considered the Siegfired for my DEBZs, but I chose the ML2s instead, and now that I've heard the Siegfried again I'm VERY glad I went the way I did.  So what?  The fact is that neither of these amps is an unlimited FR "super amp", despite the "ability" to drive truly stupid loads, and very much contrary to the drooling reviewers who blissfully use them with 2R, 88 dB speakers.  I am NOT saying the ML2s are "better", but I am saying that you are still compromised topologically with the Siegfried; IOW, it is no Silver Bullet.

Silent filaments?  The ML2s are DEAD silent; no hum,. no tube rush; nothing.  But we expect that, right?

"Fully regulated power supplies"?   If it works, then good.  But how many "fully isolated" LCLCLCLC supplies have I heard that delivered pathetic sound?  One of the things I do not like about the Siegfried is that it sounds "less free" than a nice conventional SET in its "sweet spot".

The Siegfrieds are nice amps, Merlin; but we're talking Stairway to the Stars here, and I think if you think about it, all "practical" considerations aside, even you would have to concede that the very best sound from any SET is limited both in terms of power and bandwidth.  I like my ML2s just fine, but this also applies to the ML2; I am not excluding myself, here.

Best regards,
Paul S

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