Luv_sum_Horns

For the playlist, not the post!

There is a dislike button somewhere right?

Steve Deckert explains his take on why SETs sound so good on the Decware website. Basically that all instruments produce even order harmonics, except a couple of percussive instruments (like a xylophone) which produce very complex harmonics. Even order harmonics tend to reinforce the fundamental note, and odd order harmonics are detrimental to the fundamental note. SET amps also produce even order harmonics. You loose some of that with a PP, and solid state produces odd order harmonics! I have no electronics training, and no musical talent and I have to rely on my ears. What I am hearing for the first time, is instruments that sound absolutely real and the notes and ensuing harmonics of each instrument sound true from attack to decay. Here is the big difference between SS and tubes that I have noted: When I sat down for some critical listening with my SS hardware, I would find myself doing other things (very uninvolving). When my tubes are lit, I can't even get chores done as I find myself sitting down and enjoying music for hours on end.

Distortion? Not hearing it.

I used to play with the tube testers. They seemed to be everywhere, like Rexalls and Five and Dime stores. Fast forward 50 years or so, and I buy my first tube amp. I am so ashamed of myself. -bill

Given your listening position it's unlikely that you will need much power at all to achieve loud levels (should they ever be desired). Another amp to consider is this Decware model: http://www.decware.com/newsite/SE34I.htm You can't beat the lifetime warranty and, if policy hasn't changed, it is returnable within 30 days if you don't like it! By the way, where are you located? Maynard I can second Maynard's recommendation. This amp is available with a lot of really nice options, and I took all of them except the silly expensive cap upgrade. One of the really nice options is variable output, which you can use to drive a sub if you're worried about bass. I use it to drive a slave amp while bi-amping. You can choose up to 4 inputs, and the bias meters double as a clip indicator, when you get near clipping they start dancing. I wouldn't know as I have been nowhere near this level. When I use this amp with my Heresys and a sub, they give my Cornwalls a run for their money and I think they actually sound better. This amp also sounds fantastic with the tubes it shipped with. Good luck with your choice! -bill

I'm late...very nice score! -bill

I spent 3 years in OKC in the AF. 3 years of BAD luck! It's the place.

From the CL post.

OK so I got the amp hooked back up, bottom plate off, lights out. I see nothing. Couldn't find my popsicle stick so I poked around with half of a chopstick (one handed because I am that paranoid) . The mainboard seems to be quite solid, and putting pressure in different places didn't change anything. Wiggling wires around had no effect. I'll be finding out if my local fix it shop is any good. In the meantime, I have two other amps that need to be broken in. Thanks for the pointers guys! I was hoping for something apparent and easy to fix. -bill

"If they were walnut, they are now black." Labels say HDBB - Heresy Decorator Black Birch That's a factory finish.

Gack! I got the hot sweats just looking at those! Luckily you're on a whole other continent... " I'm selling them because I have not used for months." GLWS

Prayers to Mr. Dee and family.

And just what is wrong with TOS? Doesn't take well to being stepped on. Stepped on? I have a 100' hooked up from the wifes Pc, through the wall, up over through the attic, down the wall to her Preamp in the lioving room, never had a problem. I'm single so I have cable bundles snaking all over the place.

And just what is wrong with TOS? Doesn't take well to being stepped on.

Threw it in free, well for a huge stack of Benjamins. Decware is a pleasure to deal with. The first amp they sent was really well packed, so I wasn't concerned. Separate emails when they picked the parts, assembled, tested, and QC'd. -bill

Too funny! I have only one thing to say about this: SPLINTERS! Actually I ordered a Torii dual mono from Decware and it arrived a day early. Rack reconfigure to accommodate two space heaters and returning configuration to a somewhat normal level for auditioning. My audio world is currently in turmoil. I'll try to get to this in the next week.

Chris, Thanks for the information on the spectrograms. I had changed mine to black and white and couldn't tell what I was looking at. All OCD'ers will now revisit their past work. Along with having to re-read this thread a hundred more times, I have just gotten a system going that actually resolves detail and I am at saturation level with all the change. Being a linux an alternative software guy, there are some tools I am still looking for, a DR measurement tool being one of them. I have issues compromising core beliefs. Although for the sake of audio enjoyment I might can manage some dual boot. Thanks for your time, and for figuring out how to explain everything in such a clear and concise manner...

I can ship them to your office if you really want them Mark Thanks for the offer Mark, but I honestly could not get a pair of Belles set up properly where I would have to put them due to their width, I would be unable to toe one of them in. And being completely CDO (that is OCD with the letters in order like they should be) my brain would explode. I'm sure with the condition your Bells are in, they aren't going to take long to sell.

Oh my...I have a thing for walnut, let alone walnut Belles. Fortunately for me Cornwalls are the biggest speaker I can get into my stupid living room and I don't have a truck to come get them. This has saved me a ton cash. GLWYS, they are gorgeous! -bill

I am really looking forward to finishing my current setup so that I can try out the Rachel. ​If you are running efficient speakers you really can't go wrong with a Rachael (Duh, Heresys'). How would you compare Rachel to the new Torii? Just got the Torii, need to make room for 2 tube amps in the rack. What tubes are you running. All stock tubes so far and I have no urge to swap. How would you compare Rachel to the new Torii? The comparison begins this weekend! And keeping in line with this topic, do you think the 6 watt SET gives you sufficient dynamic headroom? No doubt. Out of curiosity, I grabbed the sound meter and turned the Rachael up to 102db (the efficiency level of the CWIII @ 1 watt) and holy crap it was loud! And at that level I still had 4.8 watts left. -bill

"Anyone out there running any Decware gear over their heritage series?" Running a Decware "Rachael" SE34l.3 six watt SET, and as you were posting, my favorite UPS guy is dropping of my new "Torii MK4" dual mono... I doubt I have 40 hours on the Rachael and I've used it on my Heresys', Cornwall IIIs, and driving the top half of a Frankenwall setup. Luscious. It's the "sound" I have been searching out for the last 30 years or so.

Denatured alcohol. Immediately removes paint from AnyThing .

I gave up on winders after getting 95 to do bit perfect output from my soundcard. Just too much crap to put up with. I never became vested in MS file formats which made it easy to move to Linux. All the software I need is readily available and applications actually work better with less fustration than the stuff I used to pay for. Linux used to be difficult to run, but nowadays it's about as hard as falling of a log.

There's something about horned speakers. There's something about tube amps. Looking forward to your impressions. See ya in the tube section! And congrats on the Forte's.