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The following comments are a summary of the material I have
learned over the years concerning the amplifiers on the 1801. It's in
my personal interest to recommend the very best components available simply
because these components will provide the very best sound quality from the
1801. I am not abreast of all pertinent industry issues, but do
understand the basic mechanical foundation of amplifier design and
construction. Given the 1801 I will address the quality and the
quantity of amplifier appropriate for the 1801.
First, I will address the quality issue. It is my
belief that all audio products, including amplifiers are a product of the
quality of the design and the quality of their parts. Herein lies a
problem.
Many manufacturers undergo significant endeavor in their
design quality, but deliver very little in parts quality. This is
wonderful for accounting departments simply because a plethora of cheap
parts used in various typologies will print wonderfully on glossy
advertising literature. This literature and related products are
consumed at the retailer with very good success while manufacturing costs
remain very low. Many consumers live in a world of "smoke and mirrors"
when it comes to consumer hifi gear. I departed the world of "smoke
and mirrors" a few years ago when I replaced the coupling capacitors in my
Anthem CD1.
The $1700 Anthem CD1 sounded very favorable at the retailer
when compared to 2 other units costing $3500 (Wadia) and $700 (Rotel).
I purchased the Anthem CD-1. Several months later I decided to install
a good Amperex tube and did indeed accomplish this. The audible impact
was very minor but I noticed the Anthem CD1 had Solen capacitors adjacent
the tube. Following my experience with the Solen capacitors in the
1801, I decided to upgrade the capacitors in the 1801. Better
capacitors provided an audible improvement in the 1801 and should work in
the Anthem CD player too - right?
I worked extremely slow at my first attempt with my own
electronics. I repaired electronics in the Army for 4 years, but this
was different than working on my personal gear. This time, toasting
the board would come out of my wallet $$$. Also, this time I wasn't
under a timeline to get the Patriot RADAR back on alert. I said a
prayer. Then I moved very slow and replaced the 5 Solen Capacitors
around the tube. I didn't have a schematic, but figured they must be
significant. The soldering went fine, and I had the 5 capacitors
replaced in about 2 1/2 hours. I then carried the CD player upstairs
and said a another prayer. I was very worried and very aware that my
wife would be extremely "expressive" if I had to spend @$ 1k to have the CD
player professionally repaired via a new circuit board. I certainly
agree that $1k is real money.
Upon completing the project I turned the CD player on.
Initially I thought something was broken. There was an eerie silence
in the background of the music. Then I moved to my my listening chair.
I noticed something strange. The instruments were still present and
sounded... clear ?? All the instruments remained present. The
background noise was...gone. The impact was amazing! For
about $30 in capacitors I moved my CD player from being slightly inferior to
the $3500 Wadia to something easily equal and likely better. I
departed the world of "smoke and mirrors".
I have since learned that coupling capacitors in source gear
are the most critical component. I haven't encountered anyone who
disagreed with this. Upgrading coupling capacitors is the best "bang
for the buck" in hifi.
Next I will address the quantity issue. There is some
very good reading about the quantity of amplifier needed for any
loudspeaker. The following reading is necessary backround before
proceeding.
1. Watts and Ratings -
Author, David Ellis
2.
Average
Versus Peak Consumption - Frank VanAlstine
3.
Problems With
Complex Components - Arthur Salvatore
The "truth" of amplifiers has slowly eroded over the
past...20-30 years. The decresing quality of amplifiers and increasing
skill of marketing departments have led people to think they need a bigger
amplifier to obtain better sound. Nothing could be further from the
truth. The truth is that the very best amplifier for your system has
the power needed to drive the speakers, and nothing more. In most
cases with most speakers a good 35wpc tube amplifier (commonly El34 push
pull), or good 60wpc 2-channel solid state will get the job done with style.
They will push plenty of spl - more than can be appreciated for longer than
2-3 minutes.
Home Theater amplifiers fall into a different category.
Their accepted ratings for total power output are given for 1 channel driven
at a time (not all channels, or even 2 channels). The marketing lingo is
pretty slick, but the truth is obvious from the weight of the power supply.
Big power supplies are not lightweight. It is also obvious because Dennis
Murphy informed me thus. He is government "kingpin" for Audio enforcement
regulations & policy in Washington D.C. .
So, my bang for the buck recommended amplifiers are:
1. AKSA 55wpc Nirvana + - If you can solder this
amplifier is the very best value
2. Jolida 302b - Stock units are good. Modified
units are much better.
3. AVAHifi - The 240EX - The very best value in
dependable completed SS gear |
