AudioCircle
Industry Circles => Omega Speaker Systems => Topic started by: audiocirclerocks on 20 Jul 2016, 08:43 pm
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I love the SET sound best but my system is in the living room and my family uses it a lot when I'm not around. I read that the First Watt SIT amps were as close as you can get to the SET sound from solid state but I have the SIT-2 here now and I'm rather disappointed. Maybe there's a lack of synergy between it and the Super Alnico Monitors somehow. Most of the rest of my gear is Red Wine Audio.
Are there any really good amplifier choices for an SET lover with SAMs who needs to leave his system on all the time?
Edit: The problem with my First Watt amp was a power cord issue. It sounds great after switching to the stock power cord. I'm still very interested to know about amps with Omega synergy though.
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Try some opchip based amplifiers. I feel that these type of amplifiers work best with full range driver based speakers with minimalist crossovers or no crossovers at all. A reputable opchip amp maker without the large price tab seems to be clones audio stuff.
I personally keep a pair of audiosector Peter Daniels designed Patek SE opchip based amplifiers. Will never part with them. :thumb:
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Thanks Bemopti123, is the tpa3116 an opchip?
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Hi audiocirclerocks,
Good advice from Bemopti123. Can't go wrong with anything from Audio Sector. http://www.audiosector.com/ (http://www.audiosector.com/)
Louis at Omega is playing with a Vista Audio Spark and loves it. http://www.vista-audio.com/products/Spark/index.htm (http://www.vista-audio.com/products/Spark/index.htm)
He also has a Clones, so it might be a good idea to contact him and get his opinion first hand on both amps.
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How does an opchip amp compare to an SET?
BTW, it looks like my First Watt disappointment may have been a power cord issue. But I'm still interested in the ultimate amp synergy for a pair of SAMs.
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How does an opchip amp compare to an SET?
BTW, it looks like my First Watt disappointment may have been a power cord issue. But I'm still interested in the ultimate amp synergy for a pair of SAMs.
I have a Dennis Had Inspire SEP amp. But I've been quite intrigued with the FW SIT-2 as a possible long-term SS alternate amp. Can you describe anything in particular that was dissatisfying? I've heard almost all good things about many of his earlier designs, but there hasn't been much chatter about the latest that I've seen.
...Peter
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Thanks Bemopti123, is the tpa3116 an opchip?
I am not really aware of which chip, or if I did, I cannot recall. All I know is that there is massive synergy between opchip or gainclone type of amps and fullrange drivers. Even better than tubed amps and I have tubed amps (300B, F2A based stuff.)
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pstrisik, the SIT-2 is sounding great now. I didn't try the stock power cord before and used a Pangea cord right away instead. After switching to the stock cord it sounds great.
Bemopti123, do the Class D digital amps fall into this category?
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pstrisik, the SIT-2 is sounding great now. I didn't try the stock power cord before and used a Pangea cord right away instead. After switching to the stock cord it sounds great.
Bemopti123, do the Class D digital amps fall into this category?
No. The Class D amplifiers I have experience with are 2, 1: A Sharp in all, with Sigma don't remember how many bit conversion and also a Bang Olufsen ICE module based H2o S250 signature by Henry Ho. The last one I got in order to drive a pair of Infinity Kappa 9s, that are renown to be amp killers, dropping to less than 1 Ohm in some part of the frequency, hardly a good useful comparison with what you are running. One thing is for sure, I prefer linear traditional power supplies a la H2o rather than switch mode power supplies. It makes the amp sound somewhat more analogue. Same goes with the Opchip amps into my FTA-2000 by Bob Brines. The sound is quite fast but also sweet...not syrupy.
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I would also recommend Schiits' Ragnarok as well (it's also a very good headphone amp).
EDIT: It doesn't have the same SET warmth, but it is a very good amp and is completely quiet.
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Has anyone else heard a gainclone with Omegas?
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I've had a slew of Solid State amps in my listening room over the years. None of them give me the magic of SET. Some of them have been quieter with better bass and more detail, but at the end of the day, they just don't give me what my SET amps do.
Currently I'm playing with a Nuforce STA-9. For SS it's nice but it's missing that last bit of magic.
I'd really like to try something from First Watt, but haven't yet....one of these days....
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Highly recommended. This FW is sounding stellar now.
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I've had a slew of Solid State amps in my listening room over the years. None of them give me the magic of SET. Some of them have been quieter with better bass and more detail, but at the end of the day, they just don't give me what my SET amps do.
Currently I'm playing with a Nuforce STA-9. For SS it's nice but it's missing that last bit of magic.
I'd really like to try something from First Watt, but haven't yet....one of these days....
The Wolf Ear Kitoki amp is fantastic. Use it with their power cord.
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Hi Ozark Tom,
I spent a lot of time with the Wolf Ear amp and power cord. Indeed, it is a fine amp. I posted about my impressions of it, compared to the Decware here:
http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=140245.40
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Hi Ozark Tom,
I spent a lot of time with the Wolf Ear amp and power cord. Indeed, it is a fine amp. I posted about my impressions of it, compared to the Decware here:
http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=140245.40
My faovvrite SS amp is the Marashinos by D.A.C.
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Hi All,
Great posts and I agree with a lot being posted. I am a big fan of Pass amps and First Watt gear. I think the class D amps are getting better and better all the time. I also like the gainclones.
Hi audiocirclerocks
The synergy between Omega and the Vista Spark is also fantastic. It's a 20 watt class A/B with a linear power supply and I would recommend it highly. It's a great solution for your amp on the time situation and at $349 it's a fantastic value.
Thanks again,
Louis
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pstrisik, the SIT-2 is sounding great now. I didn't try the stock power cord before and used a Pangea cord right away instead. After switching to the stock cord it sounds great.
I have been running a First Watt SIT2 with my Omega Super 6 Alnico's for about a year and it is indeed a great match.
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Are you using the stock power cord?
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A few days ago I picked up a Sonneteer Campion integrated and have been playing it with my Super Alnico high output 1.5 floor standers ever since......extremely good match. I can only imagine what the newer model Alabaster would sound like.
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A few days ago I picked up a Sonneteer Campion integrated and have been playing it with my Super Alnico high output 1.5 floor standers ever since......extremely good match. I can only imagine what the newer model Alabaster would sound like.
Nope. An after market cord.Signal Cable.
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Nope. An after market cord.Signal Cable.
I'm confused by your post........I have purchased the Alabaster and it is a nice step up. Still a great match with the Omegas.
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Your post makes no sense. I have purchased the Alabaster and it is a nice step up. Still a great match with the Omegas.
Signal Cable is the brand. Hope this clears up the confusion.
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Right. Signal Cable is a cable company that only makes cables.
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doggie quoted the wrong post.
I have been running a First Watt SIT2 with my Omega Super 6 Alnico's for about a year and it is indeed a great match.
Are you using the stock power cord?
Nope. An after market cord. Signal Cable.
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Nelson's Amp Camp Amps work well with efficient single drivers. Class A goodness in a small affordable package. They aren't difficult to build either.
http://diyaudiostore.com/products/amp-camp-amp-kit (http://diyaudiostore.com/products/amp-camp-amp-kit)
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doggie quoted the wrong post.
Thanks opnly bafld. You are right. I misquoted and I did leave everyone openly baffled!
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Nelson's Amp Camp Amps work well with efficient single drivers. Class A goodness in a small affordable package. They aren't difficult to build either.
http://diyaudiostore.com/products/amp-camp-amp-kit (http://diyaudiostore.com/products/amp-camp-amp-kit)
+1 for the Amp Camp amps. A friend brought them over to try with my Omega Alnicos and they sounded great. An excellent value...
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Old thread, but have to post that I built a pair of the Pass Amp Camp monoblocs - finished a week ago. Running with a 24v switching power supply rather than the 19v. I am quite surprised with how good they sound. They are powering SAM's. Makes me want to try a First Watt. J2 or SIT-2. Or a used Aleph if I could find one. A pair of linear 24v supplies with at least 2 amps each would be kind of pricey for the ACA's. That would bring them a step up, but would double their original kit cost.
.......Peter
Using a quiet, low speed fan since the 24v PS brings the heat up quite a bit.
(http://www.audiocircle.com/image.php?id=153095)