Using 4 ohm tap or 8 ohm tap

[HeavyDistortion]

The instructions in my owners manual for my recently acquired VAC Avatar Special Edition tube amplifier, suggests that you try connecting your speakers, no matter what their nominal impedance is, to both the 4 ohm and 8 ohm taps that are on the amplifier. I connected my Cornwalls to both the 4 and 8 ohm taps, and greatly preferred the sound of the Cornwalls connected to the 4 ohm taps. There seems to be a much better bass sound and weight to the music, without losing any imaging.

Ed Hurdle

HeavyDistortion

[meagain]

Bumping....

My khorns are set on 8 (I think) on the VRDs. Am I missing out on something here?

Craig if you're there - would trying the 4 hurt anything? Maybe I'd like it?

[Deang]

You have a constant impedance network and those sound better on the 8 ohm taps.

[meagain]

So it's not even worth trying for me cuz the sound would go downhill? Darn. I was getting all excited.

[Allan Songer]

Why don't you just try it out? It might take all of 90 seconds to make the swap.

[Colin]

yeah, and after listening to three different types of music at louder than normal levels, another 90 seconds to put them back!

[6]

[Colin]

what he said

[6]

[Colin]

I have the strangest feeling of deja vu!

[6]

[Colin]

(newbie PC user)

[6]

[Colin]

never post while compiling

[6]

[Colin]

just becuase you don't get the little hourglass icon, doesn't mean your slow PC isn't working!

[6]

[Deang]

It may or may not sound different. It might sound different and you won't notice. It might sound the same, but because of this thread you might hear a difference that isn't there. Cool huh -- isn't audio a blast. Go ahead and try it -- it won't hurt anything. One thing: Make sure you have the VRD's shutdown whenever you disconnect the speaker cables.

[meagain]

The possibility I'll hear a difference that isn't there just because I've read or been told there IS a difference - isn't going to happen. Truely, if hubby and I fell into that trap - it would be a good thing as we'd be happy campers in audio bliss.

[Macho Nacho]

My Keg just supports just one type of tap. Dont think its 4 or 8 ohms. Have you tried a beer bong?

[meagain]

Macho Nacho - well, not a beer bong but I have tried being physically altered to attain better sound. Depending on the degree I go to, this is one of the best tweaks I've done to my system. It can certainly help under the right circumstances.

[Deang]

Mark Deneen said:

So the amp is "shock absorbering" the impedance swing.

This would be tied to the lookback impedance. My understanding is that wide and rapid swings in impedance transfer back-EMF through the network and to the anode of the tube. I get the impression this is a condition to be avoided.

[whamo2]

I've got the day off, cool huh? Anyways I just switched mine to the 4

ohm tap and I do believe that is a a significant improvement for my

setup (mad 4a se, st-70, and cornwalls). Thanx Mark

[Coytee]

You have a constant impedance network and those sound better on the 8 ohm taps.

Very interesting thread.

I have Al's ES networks on my Khorns, I belive they too, are constant impedance?

Seems Al told me specifically to use the 4 ohm tap on my McIntosh amps? Any logic as to why you say above (I'm not doubting you, just curious as to what & why)

Next time I get some time at home to fool around I might try the difference, I've thus far, simply gone on Al's comment of using the 4 ohm tap.

[tigerwoodKhorns]

I copied all of Mark's explanations to read later.

Let me add a twist. I bought Dee's Wright monoblocks for use with JBL 2470's only (16 ohm midrange drivers). What tap should I use?

Chris

[meagain]

Dean - I switched the VRDs from 8 to 4. Yes, I hear a difference. Noticeably and instantly. I don't much care anymore if you think this might be technically impossible or not. Nope.

[6]