What Amp do you use with your Mark Audio Drivers?

[Musik007]

We are using Twin Audio 6F8G preamp and 300B single end mono block power amps (output power:8Wx2) with Kenneth's hand made power transformer, double C-core output transformers and choke. These tube preamp and tube power amps are well-matched with Mark Audio full range speakers and perform strength and potential of the speakers.

Cheers!
Tony.

[blakkshepeaudio]

Originally Posted by markaudio

Hi guys,
>snip

Alpair 6's (mostly 6P's) on Derek Shek's Miniwatts (yummy): MiniWatt Tube Amplifier

snip<


Cheers
Mark.

Mark, I checked out Derek's website and I can't believe how inexpensive his amps are! Would you consider them a viable entry level valve amp for users of any Mark Audio drivers?

Looks like a bargain....

Rgds,
blakk

[ssportclay]

For those who don't want to use vacuum tubes, I would think modern amplifiers like the Temple Audio Bantam Gold, HLLY TAMP 90, and Topping TP60 would all work extremely well.

[silverhairbp]

Originally Posted by ssportclay

For those who don't want to use vacuum tubes, I would think modern amplifiers like the Temple Audio Bantam Gold, HLLY TAMP 90, and Topping TP60 would all work extremely well.

My personal preference is the Herron M1 or (used) M150. Quite good.

Disclaimer: I have a loose affiliation with Herron Audio and have been friends with Keith Herron from long before he formed Herron Audio.

[markaudio]

Originally Posted by blakkshepeaudio

Mark, I checked out Derek's website and I can't believe how inexpensive his amps are! Would you consider them a viable entry level valve amp for users of any Mark Audio drivers?

Looks like a bargain....

Rgds,
blakk

Hi blakk,
Yes, for anyone wanting to make a small system to serve desktop, small room etc, Alp6 (M or P) with a Miniwatt is a good combination, worth considering.

Thanks
Mark.

[markaudio]

Hi Guys,
Very encouraging posts, quite a good number of amp/Markaudio driver combinations. Norio san and me have just spent the evening swopping out various grades of 300B, EL34 and 5U4 valves (tubes) on 2 of Tony/Kenneth's amps. That and a Accuphase E 307 got put into the evening's listening for good measure:

http://www.accuphase.com/cat/e-307_e.pdf

Drivers used were Gen.1, Gen.2 Alpair 10's and Alpair 7 Gen.3's.

A very pleasant and interesting night. More later.

Cheers
Mark.

[markaudio]

Hi Guys,
Here's an interesting amp - Alpair 7 combination, see video;

6C33C OTL power amp running single heater in OP tubes - YouTube

Cheers
Mark.

[uvellani]

I recently got the Alpair7.3 and have it installed in a re-purposed BIB that I had built for fe126e. What is curious is that with an SE2A3 amp the alpair 7 produces at least the same level of loudness that the fe126 did. The alpair is rated at 85db and the fe126 at 93db. Other drivers rated 88db or below that I have tried in the past have not produced the output levels with this amp that I was satisfied with.
Is there something in the way the alpairs are rated that is different? Not that I am complaining. I am delighted that I can use my favorite amp with this driver.

uv

[chrisb]

Originally Posted by uvellani

I recently got the Alpair7.3 and have it installed in a re-purposed BIB that I had built for fe126e. What is curious is that with an SE2A3 amp the alpair 7 produces at least the same level of loudness that the fe126 did. The alpair is rated at 85db and the fe126 at 93db. Other drivers rated 88db or below that I have tried in the past have not produced the output levels with this amp that I was satisfied with.
Is there something in the way the alpairs are rated that is different? Not that I am complaining. I am delighted that I can use my favorite amp with this driver.

uv

After many years of enjoying various Fostex drivers, this was one of my concerns before actually working with Mark's drivers.

IINM industry standards for measurements & comparisons between manufacturers are among his favorite stress relieving topics of conversation

(Mark - have you considered posting a white paper on the subject on your website?)


In this specific case, it's probably safe to say Fostex's ratings could in general be considered "optimistic", and the 126 in particular is among their drivers that need the low end boost that a BLH / BIB etc contributes.

OTOH, I've found none of Mark's need this boost, and I think the degree of "BSC" cleverly engineered in their frequency response gives them much more effective output in the critical lower few octaves of bandwidth, particularly in smaller enclosures.

[markaudio]

Originally Posted by uvellani

I recently got the Alpair7.3 and have it installed in a re-purposed BIB that I had built for fe126e. What is curious is that with an SE2A3 amp the alpair 7 produces at least the same level of loudness that the fe126 did. The alpair is rated at 85db and the fe126 at 93db. Other drivers rated 88db or below that I have tried in the past have not produced the output levels with this amp that I was satisfied with.
Is there something in the way the alpairs are rated that is different? Not that I am complaining. I am delighted that I can use my favorite amp with this driver.
uv

Hello Uv, Chris B and Guys,
Happy Easter to all. A timely post from Uv given the impeding launch of the MAOP and Alpair 12P which the current pre-production drivers will be listener tested this weekend (more on this later).

As Chris has hinted, driver testing and data publication is often a contentious subject. There's no universally agreed testing standard and a single agreed standard for the production and operation of driver test equipment. Some makers present data that others might describe as "optimistic". Typical examples include smoothed frequency response graphs or T/S data that comes with "small print" qualifications somewhere tucked away at the base of the fact sheet. In particular, those makers who dip into the "commercial driver parts bin" in the hope of turing out a full-range unit, rarely own-up to the likely deficiencies in the design.

Often we see Diyers complaining about maker's data having run their own independent tests. However, the independent testers too often make the critical error of assuming their test equipment and methodology is to laboratory standard and is free of error. A typical error is the assumption that accurate emittance measurement is possible without the use of adequate anechoic isolation.

I describe this part of audio life as the "perfect storm", in which I sometimes become the "fall-guy", being the only driver maker who works directly with end-users, I get shot-at from both sides.

Back to Uv's observation, most SE2A3 amps appear to be rated at 3.5 watts (from a quick web search) which on first observation looks a bit low for drivers like the Alpair 7. However, with a good impedance match between diver and amp, box to driver optimisation and working the set-up in a suitable room (not too big), its easily possible to run small middle to low efficiency Full-Range drivers on lower power amps. Given the design and operational performance of the Alpair Gen.3, as part of a descent set-up, I'd expect it to perform nicely on an amp of the type used by member Uv.

Uv's also observed that some drivers with rated efficiency's of 88dB appear to fall short of audible output. While a driver might be rated at 88dB, it shouldn't be assumed that its operational efficiency is high. The design of the driver's power-train (cap, cone, coil and suspensions), in particular cone's dispersion/emittance characteristics and the compliance of the suspensions are all critical, for which there's no current adequate data presentation that well illustrates such features of a driver's design and operation.

Taking Chris's suggestion of a white paper, interestingly I've just completed an illustrated article for a possible new book to be published by Klang Und Ton in Germany, in which I describe the production challenges for the design, manufacture and assembly of a Full-Range driver's Motor-Set. It will be published in German and later translated into Japanese. Hopefully, the English version will follow after the German and Japanese publications.

Cheers
Mark.