Listenin' to Classical Music and Conversation

Yes, using it with the KEFs.

Going from a 400 watt amp to a 35 watt amp, from a watts point of view, has been completely transparent.

I listen nearfield at low volume, so the new amp is not being pushed (and the Aragon never was) and I hear no performance issues such as straining or running out of steam. Loud/complex passages are handled perfectly by it with no congestion or whatever.

 

I fully intend to do that eventually. Audio is my hobby and I enjoy swapping things in and out.

 

Nice! It's great when a new purchase like this turns out to be so satisfying! Enjoy the new amp!! I bet it's more fun to look at in a darkened room!

 

Second best thing to a fireplace.

 

Glenn Gould would not approve of his outfit.

 

Now on the turntable, record 2 from "Handel - Violin Sonatas" performed by Iona Brown with the Academy Of St. Martin-In-The-Fields' Chamber Ensemble on Philips

 

Renaissance Lute Music for the dinner hour... Archiv LP from 1975.

 

I love this series featuring Ragossnig on lute!


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Likewise, I power my KEF tower speakers with a Cayin A-88T tube amp--rated 25w/ch. in Triode and 45w/ch. in Ultralinear mode -- sometimes pushing them to crazy-loud volume peaks without the amp ever running out of steam.

 

Definitely not! He needs at least two overcoats, scarf, hat, gloves and, most of all, galoshes... at least for a Canadian landscape.

 

Looks like you are good at finding promos!

 

I got lucky some time ago when a music journalist from NY unloaded his classical collection at my local dealer. I was able to snag a bunch of them. They look unplayed. Probably only played once or twice at the most.

 

Now on the turntable, "Handel - German Arias" performed by Emma Kirkby and the London Baroque on EMI Angel.

 

Great choice! I have the PrimaLuna Premium Dialogue HP (My, what a catchy name...) and love it! It shames my previous solid state Pass Labs INT-150, which costs about 50% more!

I love the glow of tubes at night:

 

That's a lotta tubes!

Pretty nice amp.

 

Thank you. It's going to be expensive when the time comes to replace them! Fortunately, PL's design runs each tube at a conservative voltage, so they should last a long time. Another poster mentioned tube rolling--I'm not sure I want to go down that rabbit hole! Besides, I read so many contradictory opinions about other tubes (mine has stock EL34s--does yours?) such as KT 88, KT 120, KT 150, et al. I don't need more power, and I love the magical midrange of the current tubes.

 

Yes, the stock EL34s, and the midrange is beautiful to my ears.

 

I finished listening to this today. While I normally prefer larger ensembles playing on modern instruments, this performance sounds great, and their energetic playing adds to the enjoyment. The smaller ensemble provides excellent clarity of the parts, too.

 

I am in a state of indecision regarding a new amp - tube vs. SS. I still have the Telefunken tube console I inherited from my father in my basement. It needs repair but will likely cost me a bundle if I can even find the technician to repair it ...

If I stay with SS, it will likely be a Class A amp since I want something different.

 

I have this recording in the following CD box ...

 

Fine recordings from Carnegie Hall, made in 1949 (3) & 1951 (1). Producer: Richard Mohr. Engineer: Lewis Layton.

 

Cool cover photo of San Souci in Potsdam Germany. I was there a few years ago. Amazing place! I want to return some day!



One of my not-so-great pictures from the trip. Apparently, I need to return just to get better photos!

 

Or, for a third option, put the Telefunken on the back burner for when you win the lottery, buy a nice new tube amp and just enjoy the beautiful sound without worrying about repairs and technicians.