What's the attraction?

[OnAudio]

Probably the best amplifier this side of the galaxy

SYMEF?

dave

Joel - SYMEF
Paulo - SYMEF
http://www.diyaudio.com/forums/solid-state/198500-symef-amplifier.html

 

[planet10]

On,

Someone would have to bring by one for me to here. With no tubes...

dave

 

[Colin]

So you are talking about an active powered speaker. An active speaker does not require the amps be in the speaker box -- a design choice that puts the amplifiers in an environment that is not beneficial to them.

dave

S/S amps cope perfectly well in the loudspeaker cabinet. Most studio actives have them there and although it is partly for convenience, I don't think they'd do that if there were serious problems with it. I think that's probably an old hi-fi myth put about by the manufacturers of separate amplifiers.

The actives I've heard certainly have fewer problems than most conventionally separated amplifiers/speakers that I've heard. And, as I said, they have most of the benefits of single driver with some advantages over them.

 

[planet10]

S/S amps cope perfectly well in the loudspeaker cabinet.

Anything with caps in it (to bring forward the biggest offender) is subject to microphonics. Not that i've yet found a SS amp i could live with for the midtweeter.

dave

 

[Colin]

If I experience any problems with mine, I'll let you know.

 

[OnAudio]

On,

Someone would have to bring by one for me to here. With no tubes...

dave

Give your speakers a treat, go SYMEF. There a few constructors in your area, they might bring the SYMEF during the audio fest. Your speakers will come alive

You might even consider offering your speakers plus HAL amplifiers as a kit

 

[planet10]

I'm always happy to take the opportunity to audition.

What is the output impedance? Anyone made one into a variable transimpedance amplifier?

dave

 

[OnAudio]

As close to zero as it can get. With a resolution of one decimal point it is actually zero. It works great as a voltage amp.

 

[planet10]

Most of my speakers prefer amps with a higher output impedance, your amp might not fair well if one makes it here.

dave

 

[OnAudio]

SYMEF doesnt mind any speaker . SYMEF will tame any speaker . SYMEF has tamed many speakers .

However there are also some good output transformers available.

 

[planet10]

Not all amplifiers work with all loudspeakers. One of the best SS amps i've heard was a variable transconductance amp, once the output impedance was dialed in for a speaker it was great. And almost every speaker liked to be at a different setting.

dave

 

[OnAudio]

Thats very interesting. Did the amplifier employ feedback ? What was the gain ratio ?

 

[chrisb]

FWIW the most musical & transparent fully SS amp I've yet heard is:

http://www.pimmlabs.com/web/solid_state.htm


and Gary's severely tweaked out Behringer wasn't hurtful either:

http://www.pimmlabs.com/web/behringer.htm

mind you that was about 4yrs ago, so things may have advanced since then

or not

 

[planet10]

Thats very interesting. Did the amplifier employ feedback ? What was the gain ratio ?

Yes on Feedback (lots i understand), for the rest you'd need to talk to the designer, Daniel (aka Duo), he has at least one thread on the subject.

I do know it had a very high bandwidth, it was adapted from a current amp for driving the electron guns in a CRT.

dave

 

[OnAudio]

Hi Chrisb, that was an interesting read.

Thats the kind of image I had concocted Planet10. I do still believe SYMEF is the clear winner here.

 

[planet10]

"In all things audio, the ear is the final arbiter."
Harry Olson

 

[Melon Head]

"In all things audio, the ear is the final arbiter."
Harry Olson

"And everyones ear is different"
Melon Head

 

[tvrgeek]

Our ears are different, but our perception of correct is pre-filtered to our ears. That's all we know.

 

[Pano]

FWIW the most musical & transparent fully SS amp I've yet heard is:
http://www.pimmlabs.com/web/solid_state.htm

Yep, ditto on that. Super clean, very nice amp. But don't forget, it's a Solid State "Tube Amp".

 

[tvrgeek]

Spent a lot more time with the Fostex. I still can't get what the single driver thing is about. Horrible breakup at 6800, a bottom end that can barely make it to a sub and distortion several times as high as I expected. This thing is far more evil than my crossovers. What am I missing?

It would be interesting to hear Mr. Pass and Mr. Curl comment on that little FET idea.