Gentle voice
Which ?brand ?of ?amplifier is best-suited for a two-channel audio system? I’ve been asked this question maybe a hundred times by readers who wish to start on the hobby.
I’ve always maintained that building up a two-channel audio system starts from the type of speakers you intend to use; everything will be built around them. I recommend that music lovers who are serious enough to get into the groove of a two-channel audio system surf the Net to brush up on some basic knowledge on different types of speakers. Among other designs you’ll likely encounter are: bass reflex, acoustic suspension, and horn and ribbon speakers. Simply put, bass reflex speakers are those that are ported (with holes); acoustic suspension types are sealed; horns are usually compression driven, while ribbons are those flat panels with thin metal-film ribbon. On the Net, you’d learn about their different sonic characters and how they can fit in to your listening preferences. To simplify further: bass reflex and horn speakers are usually efficient (i.e., highly sensitive) and can be powered by low wattage amplifiers, while acoustic suspension and ribbon types would need more power to perform at their optimum levels (however, some newer acoustic suspension designs are now rated “efficient”).
Only when you’re able to choose the speaker types suited to your listening preference should you think of the type of amplifiers to power them with. There are many different amplifier designs to choose from. For tube amps, you can either choose the SET (single-ended triode) or push-pull designs. For solid state amps, the options are either class A or class A/B. If you decide to have speakers with high sensitivity ratings, you’d be better off with SET (if you opt to use tube amps) or class A (is you prefer solid state amps). The push-pull and class A/B designs are best suited for power-hungry speakers.
Ilove how high-sensitive speakers ?sing. That is the reason I chose a horn speaker system that is ?powered by Cayin 9084D SET monoblocks. I’ve had my Cayin SET for over five years now, and enjoy every minute of how it reproduces beautiful music. Never have I experienced hearing a more gentle voice recording in other systems that I previously owned.
The Cayin 9084D monoblocks have the legendary 300B tubes driving the high power 845 triode tubes to 28 watts. The tube combination marries the delicacy of the SET with added muscle. Under the chassis is an excellently executed point-to-point wiring which adds to the amps’ handsomely crafted physical attributes. The monoblocks use potted toroidal power transformers for quieter operations.
The German-designed, China-made Cayin 9084D amps were brought into the Philippines by two passionate audio enthusiasts, Tyrone Co and Noel Deslate, through their highly successful Audio Amplified audio dealership. The two are proud about their quest to bring in affordable but excellent-sounding audio equipment for the local audio community to enjoy.
In my opinion, nothing beats SET amps for sonic clarity and accuracy. They are delicate enough to reproduce the crackling of the woods as the wind breezes through thick vegetation; they breathe life and substance to the music into their remarkable and coherent expression and interpretation of low-level musical information. Sonic textures can be unbelievably real, and they will take your listening experience to a new musical level.
They can also be forceful amplifiers with light-footed micro dynamics — very nimble sonic character, indeed. The soundstage is airy with a slightly reverberant feel. The amps’ gentle yet transparent midrange makes Diana Krall’s vocals shimmer with confidence and charisma
The Cayin 9084D amps give you that unmistakable classic tube sound with sugary and smooth highs. They are extended at both ends of the sound spectrum and do not lack in bass. They sound big, energetic and spacious. They not only reproduce beautiful music but also cause the music to permeate your music room with a charmingly seductive air of perkiness and cheerfulness. They will satisfy your musical taste, and make an audio addict out of you — that is what a great amplifier system like mine has done to me.
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For comments or questions, please e-mail me at audioglow@yahoo.com or at vphl@hotmail.com. You can also visit www.wiredstate.com or you can tweet audiofiler at www.twitter.com for quick answers to your audio concerns.
