Oops, I did it again!

[eshbach]

Originally posted by Zemo
There are no opamps in that amp. The "hybrid" part of it comes from the IC buffers after the tubes, which could easily be replace by a pin compatible discreet buffer if you wanted to go that route! Heck, go for the Larocco triad from the PPAv2!

-Z

yea, i know, i was just making general reference to tubes being better than opamps in reference to his comparison with the PPA...

and XP, it's always spring time on this campus

[ImaNihilist]

Ahh. Tubes. Nothing quite like tubes. I remember that there was a motherboard around a while back that had onboard audio with tubes. I think it was made by AOpen. I thought that maybe tubes would make a comeback.

It was made by AOpen. The AX4B-533 Tube:

[XP1800]

No way...I would love to try that just for the hell of it. Can you imagine water cooling the tube to get better audio performance? Lol

[ImaNihilist]

Originally posted by XP1800
No way...I would love to try that just for the hell of it. Can you imagine water cooling the tube to get better audio performance? Lol

I don't think you can really o/c a tube. It would just splode. My Dad has a 1,000w tube amp for radio. It's pretty sweet.

[XP1800]

Originally posted by ImaNihilist
I don't think you can really o/c a tube. It would just splode. My Dad has a 1,000w tube amp for radio. It's pretty sweet.

Yeah I know, but that would still be sweet...

[asmox]

Originally posted by ImaNihilist
Ahh. Tubes. Nothing quite like tubes. I remember that there was a motherboard around a while back that had onboard audio with tubes. I think it was made by AOpen. I thought that maybe tubes would make a comeback.

loool.. i remember seeing that on aopen's site several years back.

i wasn't quite sure what to make of it :O

[clh61]

ok who in here can ever recall seeing a tube tester in the local hardware or drugstore? fess up!

[XP1800]

I'll test any tube you want, just send all your matched 12AE6A's and 12FK6's to me and I'll let you know how they sound

edit: And to write some more about the amp...

It's still totally rocking my face off. Dream Theater, Within Temptation, and of course...Tool, are all being played at a new level. This is an incredible separation between the bass *tones* and *punch*. I still can't get over how non-muddy (I just made that word up!) it sounds, while still having such awesome impact.

What also keeps my jaw on the floor is how smooth the midrage is. This is mostly the 0404 showing off, but the Millet has a much smoother sound than the PPA.

Soundstage? Yup, it's all there. The AV-710 doesn't come close to the 0404, both the PPA and Millet exploit it as well, as I now feel like I'm sitting in a huge concert hall, with about 350 artists at my disposal

The one area where the PPA takes the cake is the high end detail. I still prefer how articulate it is at reproducing delicate high end sounds. The Millet seems to have a longer decay, which can give the impression the highs being more blended together. The PPA's decay is quicker and exact.

Most notably is the song Lateralus, in the middle when the song calms down, Danny is tapping the high hat cymbol (I think that's what it's called) while keeping a different beat with the kick drums. This part begins a minute or so long buildup to the final climax. The Millet gives this a more natural sound, like you are sitting in the studio with Danny. However, the PPA's reproduction of that sound reminds me a little of the ER-4S, mainly for the extreme separation and fast decay. The PPA doesn't sound as warm as the Millet too.

So that's it for this update, maybe I'll have more in store later

[davnport]

Good stuff man. Have you experienced anything from the ray samuels lineup? I read stuff about the xp-7 and its bigger brother the hr-2 and they both seem to have the low end separation, kinda like what you're describing with your hyrbrid. I'd be curious to hear both for my self. I'm thinking about hosting a meet in about a month or two. If I can pull that off, I'd be looking primarily for some of those emmeline amps to hear, as well as some tubes.

[XP1800]

Originally posted by davnport
Good stuff man. Have you experienced anything from the ray samuels lineup? I read stuff about the xp-7 and its bigger brother the hr-2 and they both seem to have the low end separation, kinda like what you're describing with your hyrbrid. I'd be curious to hear both for my self. I'm thinking about hosting a meet in about a month or two. If I can pull that off, I'd be looking primarily for some of those emmeline amps to hear, as well as some tubes.

I've only heard the SR-71, none of his home amps. I'd like to listen to the Stealth someday though...

[rabidmoose171]

Ooo, nice... man, i feel sorry for your wallet.