Sound Quality Vs. Measurements

[scott wurcer]

Originally Posted by bcarso

This wiki is o.k., although I dissent that Nelson really invented the concept, as such feedback goes way back (a tube amp with feedback to the input device cathode for example) --- and I believe that Comlinear lost some battles after that patent issued.

You are right, but at the time those pointing this out were considered envious neighbobs. I can't recall any IC company paying royalties on these patents.

[dvv]

Originally Posted by scott wurcer

You are right, but at the time those pointing this out were considered envious neighbobs. I can't recall any IC company paying royalties on these patents.

Perhaps it's more about the ego than the money.

I have always suspected Nelson Pass of a whopping ego. I can't legally prove it, but I resent his ideas peddled to the DIY community that one MOSFET can do it all, yet he builds his own amps with a multitude of output devices. His Threshold models used to have 30+ output transfitors.

[bcarso]

Originally Posted by dvv

Perhaps it's more about the ego than the money.

I have always suspected Nelson Pass of a whopping ego. I can't legally prove it, but I resent his ideas peddled to the DIY community that one MOSFET can do it all, yet he builds his own amps with a multitude of output devices. His Threshold models used to have 30+ output transfitors.

Different Nelson --- last name not first. See the wiki.

[scott wurcer]

Originally Posted by dvv

Perhaps it's more about the ego than the money.

I have always suspected Nelson Pass of a whopping ego. I can't legally prove it, but I resent his ideas peddled to the DIY community that one MOSFET can do it all, yet he builds his own amps with a multitude of output devices. His Threshold models used to have 30+ output transfitors.

Yes it's Carl Nelson of Comlinear, no need to vent at NP it will make you no friends here.

[a.wayne]

Originally Posted by dvv

Perhaps it's more about the ego than the money.

I have always suspected Nelson Pass of a whopping ego. I can't legally prove it, but I resent his ideas peddled to the DIY community that one MOSFET can do it all, yet he builds his own amps with a multitude of output devices. His Threshold models used to have 30+ output transfitors.

Way off base on this one DVV...

[tvrgeek]

There is some irony here, as I put in my order to Digi-Key I was thinking of all the help I have received in an effort to "POOGE" an old Hafler. A process coined by, Mr. Pass.

His one transistor wonders are for those that need a 6W amp for their Louthers. He serves a market. If you need 100W, I am sure he can accommodate that after you get the mains to your house beefed up. If you read his papers, he is big on not making distortion in the first place, so many outputs are typical of his work. Even the original 60W Adcom 353 had triples. Actually, I am really tempted to snag a PA-5 or Forte off the Web.

[godfrey]

Originally Posted by bcarso

Does anyone know of a high-end power amp that uses this approach?
...current-feedback...

Nelson's F5 springs to mind.
(Nelson Pass, that is)

[VladimirK]

Originally Posted by tvrgeek

His one transistor wonders are for those that need a 6W amp for their Louthers. He serves a market.

I personally was an active supporter of one transistor concept, and struggled for it at russian forums. Zen9 and FirstWatt F3 are not bad at all. But this concept has revealed its inherent limits to me, after several years of efforts. Not because of low-power. Even with best Louthers, this concept does not allow to approach top leage sound, in resolution, microdetails and bass articulation. I could understand, why some designers could wonder about amount of supporters and real merits of the approach. But this does not mean any claim to Nelson, I am thankful to him for his role in DIY community. Everybody should go his own route.

[dvv]

Sorry, I have never heard of this other Nelson. Most often, when you say "Nelson", people assume there's a Pass after it.

Mea culpa.

[dvv]

Originally Posted by VladimirK

I personally was an active supporter of one transistor concept, and struggled for it at russian forums. Zen9 and FirstWatt F3 are not bad at all. But this concept has revealed its inherent limits to me, after several years of efforts. Not because of low-power. Even with best Louthers, this concept does not allow to approach top leage sound, in resolution, microdetails and bass articulation. I could understand, why some designers could wonder about amount of supporters and real merits of the approach. But this does not mean any claim to Nelson, I am thankful to him for his role in DIY community. Everybody should go his own route.

Vladimir, far from me that I shoud pronounce anyone to the Devil, and Nelson Pass has been very kind to me personally on two or three occasions I contacted him. In terms of personal honour, I owe him.

But I do NOT believe the "single transistor" approach can provide truly satisfactory and consistent results. Locally, people went literally mad over Nelson's concept, so I have had many opportunities to hear his ideas at work. At best, it was all right, but one thing remained constant - his designs are rather sensitive to their work loads.

A more difficult speaker will deliver VERY different results from a tame one. As a firm believer that the amp should always be a constant voltage device, to me, this is completely unacceptable.

But if their owners are happy, who am I to complain?

It's just not my cup of coffee, that's all.