In past I build original version of JLH1969 amplifier and even with junk parts this amp give me glimpse of strue figh fidelity stereo. Now after some time, parts for Le Monstre is my working desk (only few capacitor is missing). I would like to hear what is sound quality of Le Monstre amplifier from the guys that have this amp in operation before is my soldering iron warmed up...It is Le Monstre better or worse of classic JLH (power is not the same and topology is different).
Having built and used (still use) both the Hiraga and JLH 2003 version, my conclusion is both are extremely good designs.
The Hiraga, with zobel and feedback compensation capacitor no longer picks up RF; without these additions the frequency response extended to slightly over 1MHz'.
It is now -3DB at 270 KHz and will pass a clean 10 KHz square wave.
The 2003 JLH has +- power rails; the original design did not.
All in all, both are highly satisfying amplifiers.
The Hiraga, with zobel and feedback compensation capacitor no longer picks up RF; without these additions the frequency response extended to slightly over 1MHz'.
It is now -3DB at 270 KHz and will pass a clean 10 KHz square wave.
The 2003 JLH has +- power rails; the original design did not.
All in all, both are highly satisfying amplifiers.
If you read Hiraga's old magazine articles in his publication "Le Son", you can see that his several popular designs including the little "le monstre" were based on a principle that harmonic distortion, in appropriate proportions for best musical effect, was actually good rather than universally bad in home audio systems, as assumed by most audio electronics professionals. Many DIYs agree with Hiraga's theory of musical perception and enhanced harmonic content in amplifiers but this definitely results in audio that has little to do with hi-fi - even less, true hifi.
Satisfying sound is a relative matter though. Sometimes an excess of "sweet" even harmonics can irritate rather than soothe or it may help locate instruments more precisely according with the stereo image. Other times, it adds warmth and soul to the music but remember; these are added effects and you may never be happy with plain vanilla hifi again!
By contrast, JLH's designs were based on hifi principles, as he and his test audiences perceived it but he tweaked and modified the basic design appropropriately, according to preferences, so it's no accident that he also wound up with a pleasant sounding, enduring design that way.
Satisfying sound is a relative matter though. Sometimes an excess of "sweet" even harmonics can irritate rather than soothe or it may help locate instruments more precisely according with the stereo image. Other times, it adds warmth and soul to the music but remember; these are added effects and you may never be happy with plain vanilla hifi again!
By contrast, JLH's designs were based on hifi principles, as he and his test audiences perceived it but he tweaked and modified the basic design appropropriately, according to preferences, so it's no accident that he also wound up with a pleasant sounding, enduring design that way.
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;-)
Le Monstre vs. JLH 1969
Le Monstre: 4 stage half waves symmetric complementary transistors push pull amplifier (thus half waves DO sound very different) and 2 psus (each one for one half wave: + and - (sound different too)
JLH 1969: 3 stage single ended - without complementary transistors; some name the last stage push pull, but it is not symmetrical (no different sounding half waves) and 1 psu (no differences)
Le Monstre makes more sound: has more smack, paints with bolder colours, sounds more rumbling, more noisy, is a lot of fun.
JLH plays with higher re-solution, also in the low frequencies (often misunderstood as lack of low frequencies) and has better spatial imaging and higher fine dynamics.
The influence of parts on the sound is more relevant with the JLH!
This is my experience, and my opinion.
Le Monstre vs. JLH 1969
Le Monstre: 4 stage half waves symmetric complementary transistors push pull amplifier (thus half waves DO sound very different) and 2 psus (each one for one half wave: + and - (sound different too)
JLH 1969: 3 stage single ended - without complementary transistors; some name the last stage push pull, but it is not symmetrical (no different sounding half waves) and 1 psu (no differences)
Le Monstre makes more sound: has more smack, paints with bolder colours, sounds more rumbling, more noisy, is a lot of fun.
JLH plays with higher re-solution, also in the low frequencies (often misunderstood as lack of low frequencies) and has better spatial imaging and higher fine dynamics.
The influence of parts on the sound is more relevant with the JLH!
This is my experience, and my opinion.
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