Tubes with Strads?

[crwilli]

Originally Posted by chessman

There is a good Craig?

That depends on how much time I spend here or on other sites and thinking about my system. I need a vacation.

[crwilli]

I am continuing to dwell on my original question and while fleeting thoughts of selling a kidney to get MC2301s still occur, and while I am not at all unhappy with any aspect of my current system, I have this nagging in my gut to try an MC275VI with the Strads. An amp I have always wanted and never really had the right use for one.

My Strads are currently singing loudly and proudly under the control of an MC452which shows itself to be a beast rarely moving its meters past 4.5 watts and almost never to 45. This has me thinking that perhaps an MC275VI would be worth a test. BUT.... there is this quote from the 2005 Stereophile review... Bold emphasis is mine.

"The drop-dead gorgeous Stradivari Homage is specified as having a very high 92dB voltage sensitivity; to Sonus Faber's credit, my estimated figure was even higher, at 93dB(B)/2.83V/m. However, the speaker asks the partnering amplifier for a lot of current capability, its impedance (fig.1) dropping to 3 ohms and below for much of the upper bass and midrange. And the combination of 4.4 ohms impedance magnitude and –48 capacitive phase angle at 55Hz will give lesser amplifiers conniptions."

I have also read in other reviews the MC275V (not sure the differences with the VI) can run out of gas in the lower regions but of course, that is highly speaker and room dependent. I would not expect it to drive the Strads below about 50HZ as I would have them crossed to my sub below that. That seems to work well in my room at present.

To my questions:

-- Is the MC275VI one of those lesser amplifiersmentioned in the Stereophile review? I don't know how to interpret the measurements.
-- Can it deliver the current JA suggests it wants?
-- Will running two in mono make that much of a difference?
-- Will crossing the Strads at ~50Hz help the MC275 deliver the current enough to matter?
-- Are there any SQ differences between the Version V and the Version VI?

I have an unbelievably gracious offer from a fellow AA'er to borrow his MC275VI to audition in my room which is beyond cool. However, it is not without a few logistical complexities [and his admonition that he will kill me if I touch it with anything other than white gloves He is kidding!]

In any event, my MC452 is not going anywhere and even if the MC275 kicks butt, I will re-purpose the MC452. My vintage Infinity RSIIa speakers will love its control and power. Likewise the RSIIa's would love the MC275 on the mids and highs.

By the way, it is an improvement in the midrange and upper regions that cause me to seek out the MC275. I know no matter what, I am going to give up something on the low end and hope I can compensate for that with the sub.

[Masterlu]

vs


Kidneys are over rated...

[chessman]

Craig,

The improvement in the upper midrange and treble does not automatically come with a capable tube amp (IMO). Have you adjusted rake angle on your Strads?

Is the problem hot treble, harsh treble, indistinct treble? Is it a clarity issue?

Have you asked Bill (Metaphacts) for a suggested fix?

[Masterlu]

Lust: A large physical attraction for something, that is sometimes uncontrollable and completely unreasonable.

Often confused with love.

[crwilli]

Randy, It is almost an emotional question for me of getting an MC275 more so than fixing anything. I am very happy with the current SQ of my system. Honestly, I just had (have?) to relax and listen rather than obsess over 'getting it perfect' with setup. Oh, I have no doubt Bill could get them setup better than I have. Craig

[crwilli]

Originally Posted by Masterlu

vs


Kidneys are over rated...

Who is this MASTERLU guy? I think I need to ignore him

[PMCH]

Craig, you most likely know where I stand. Having had MC275 v6's with my previous speakers, AZ Crescendos which are tube friendly, I preferred the MC275's in mono over just one. I also thought that upgrading the tubes, all 22 of them, made an improvement over the stock tubes. After comparing the MC275's with my MC601's, I ended up just keeping my MC601's. For me it was the best sound overall. I didn't want to have 2 sets of amps. I did not try the MC275's on my Strads since I didn't have the Stads at the time. Doesn't mean I will never try MC75's on the Stads in the future. I have found I can never say never. Knowing how much you like bass, I would think you would prefer your MC452 over the MC275 but you never know for sure until you try.