8 ohm amp and sophias

[rlw3]

what would you hear sonically that would be wrong if the 4 ohm sophia was mated with a cj amp set at 8 ohms instead of 4 ohms?

[daveneumann]

Does the CJ amp have both 8 and 4 Ohm taps? If so, then the best person to decide the sonic differences is you. Give it a shot and let us know what you hear.

It depends on the amp. For example, many say that Audio Research amps sound better on the 8 Ohm tap, versus the 4 Ohm. With my Lamms, I preferred the 4 Ohm for the better grip on the bottom end.

[rlw3]

Originally Posted by daveneumann

Does the CJ amp have both 8 and 4 Ohm taps? If so, then the best person to decide the sonic differences is you. Give it a shot and let us know what you hear.

It depends on the amp. For example, many say that Audio Research amps sound better on the 8 Ohm tap, versus the 4 Ohm. With my Lamms, I preferred the 4 Ohm for the better grip on the bottom end.

the cj amp have to be set up inside the amps by professionals. I am curious if any members had a cj amp at 8 ohms listened to it with wilson's,had it changed to 4 ohms, listened again and noted any differences???

[Coppy]

Ray,

The LP140s come from the factory set up for lower impedance as most modern speakers have those lovely dips. Can't imagine anything good coming from a change to a higher value than needed. Certainly they don't change the transformer, probably just add caps in parallel which would degrade the sound and damping factor.

Bob

[rlw3]

Originally Posted by Coppy

Ray,

The LP140s come from the factory set up for lower impedance as most modern speakers have those lovely dips. Can't imagine anything good coming from a change to a higher value than needed. Certainly they don't change the transformer, probably just add caps in parallel which would degrade the sound and damping factor.

Bob

Bob,
Do you think all the sonic difference would be in the bass only?

[Coppy]

Ray,

Well it is said, if you haven't heard it you don't have an opinion. And I haven't heard the amps set up for higher impedance so... but if they put in additional parts the signal must deal with it can't help. Why don't you drop c-j a note with your question. They've heard it, have good ears and can give you a quantified answer.

Do you have them yet?

Bob

[rlw3]

When i called cj with a question it was a pain for them as they have not replaced Ed yet. He will be missed.

[Mr. Big]

This might only apply to Audio Research amps, but I e-mailed Wilson in regards to which tap to use on the REF75 amp when hooking up to the Sophia 3s.

Here's their reply, "We recommend you try both taps on the Ref 75. We have generally settled on the 8 ohm tap for Audio Research vacuum tube amplifiers in the past, but you will want to audition and choose the tap of your preference."

[jpgr4blu]

Peter McGrath advised me to try the 8 ohm taps with Sasha and I prefer them to the 4 ohm taps.

[Sunnyboy1956]

IMHO this is not a big deal sonically. My CJ LP70S was factory set at 8ohms. When I got the 4ohm Rockport Aviors I asked CJ about wiring instructions etc. Lew Johnson was extremely helpful, a real gentleman and a gem in this industry. CJ sent my ex dealer the wiring diagram which involved 2 Vishay resistors etc. As these are not available locally no changes were made and I have been running the 8ohm amp into the 4ohm speakers to the delight of my audio friends.
Pradeep