Dennis Had Inspire Amps

[longbowbbs]

We need pics, Peter!

[pstrisik]

Originally Posted by longbowbbs

We need pics, Peter!

OK, I'll upload some tonight. They won't be as nice as the ones Dennis took though. But you'll see it in the wild.

[Jwhcfi]

So Peter,
The $24000 question is ... Can 12 watts get the job done? Is it everything you hoped for sonically? I'm dying to hear SET!!

Also, does Dennis offer satisfaction guaranteed or is it yours to keep?

Congrats,
Wes

[pstrisik]

Here's a few shots......

First is the SLP-05, then the new Inspire KT150, then one of the restored AR2ax'. My conrad-johnson Premier 11A is below the Inspire. The big tube on the right is the 274B rectifier. KT150's are the twin spaceships.

[pstrisik]

Originally Posted by Jwhcfi

So Peter,
The $24000 question is ... Can 12 watts get the job done? Is it everything you hoped for sonically? I'm dying to hear SET!!

Also, does Dennis offer satisfaction guaranteed or is it yours to keep?

Congrats,
Wes

I'm actually running it at 10watts with the 274B. It is enough power. I'm in a large room and sitting about 10 feet back. Listening ~80db.

Going by his eBay listings, I don't think Dennis is taking returns. You'd have to ask him though to be sure.

[pstrisik]

Tonight I swapped a couple of tubes in the SLP-05. I was running Sylvania Chrome Domes in sockets 1,2,4,5 and RCA grey glass in 3,6. The RCA's softened things nicely with the conrad johnson. When I swapped in Chrome Domes to 3,6 in place of the RCA's, the sound clicked more in to place. The detail and air is back without adding any edge. I am liking this amp more and more!

[Jwhcfi]

Hi Peter,

Any more observations now that you're getting to know the Inspire a little better? Are you able to rock out without losing the SET characteristic sound? Would you recommend low power SET for 85 db speakers?

Thanks,
Wes

[pstrisik]

Wes,

I'm liking the amp more as I settle in with it. Tube changes, both in the amp and in my SLP-05 pre seem to make more of a difference in sound quality than when I have done the same with other amps.

I wouldn't say I can "rock out". I try to keep my listening to 80db. It seems to start to give up some steam at about 85db. This is in a room ~ 23'x26' and listening at ~10ft. So, in a smaller room with 85db speakers, you would probably get similar results. In a room as large as mine, I don't think less efficient speakers than my 87db AR2ax' would cut it.

Another discovery though... I played some vinyl and found some of the "vinyl magic" I have never really heard before.

Bottom line, if you want to go single ended at lower wattage, I would consider your speakers. I will likely be experimenting with higher sensitivity speakers such as the Omega line. In part to get the higher sensitivity, but I am also curious about full range drivers, ie, no crossover. Since single ended is a "purer" signal, ie, not split and reassembled as with push-pull, and with no feedback, the "purer" single driver design seems like a logical extension of the approach.

If I really wanted single ended but wanted to keep lower efficiency speakers or, wanted higher power, I would go for Dennis' CAD-805's. But, even used, we are talking $6000+ for the latest version.

[joeling]

Mine runs very hot. The chassis was hot to touch. This normal ? I am pairing with KEF LS50 in nearfield application but speaker wire around 6metres.

Regards,
Joe Ling

[pstrisik]

Originally Posted by joeling

Mine runs very hot. The chassis was hot to touch. This normal ? I am pairing with KEF LS50 in nearfield application but speaker wire around 6metres.

Regards,
Joe Ling

Are you referring to an Inspire amp?