SET and Omega; the most music for the the money...ever.

Bosh · « **on:** 8 Jan 2003, 06:33 am »

I asked Louis to build me a pair of TS1-R Grandes. And he did. And I'm happy, goofy and otherwise blown-away. Local 'phile friends--heavy money and high wattage SS guys--are coming by my listening room and all but shi++ing themselves.

Louis has been and continues to be a gem; an example for all small business owners to aspire to. And these things are beautiful! I got the "Blue Artic" laminate, sooooo cool off the hospital white of the driver.

Anyway, it's nice to be here (but it's far nicer listening thanks to Omega).

-b

Joe Schlabotnick · « **Reply #1 on:** 8 Jan 2003, 01:11 pm »

Bosh,

What amp are you using with your Omega's?

Bosh · « **Reply #2 on:** 9 Jan 2003, 01:26 am »

Quote from: Joe Schlabotnick

Bosh,

What amp are you using with your Omega's?

Hi Joe:

I'm using an Antique Sound Lab MG15 SI integrated, with Mapleshade Double Golden Helix 'speaker cables (to anticipate the next question).

Joe Schlabotnick · « **Reply #3 on:** 9 Jan 2003, 03:05 am »

Bosh,

Your ASL amp has a switch that allows you to choose between Triode and Pentode. I assume you have played with this switch and could enlighten us all as to how the amplifier changes the character of the overall sound?

BTW, if you have a digital camera, could you please post a picture of your Omega's? The Blue Artic has me tweaked but I can't really make out what it looks like based on the picture I see on the Omega sight.

Bosh · « **Reply #4 on:** 13 Jan 2003, 02:02 am »

Hi: Fact is, I have NOT yet played with the T/P switch. I started, when the amp first arrived, on Triode. I loved it, and stayed there for many hours over the following days. I finally did try Pentode, but only for about half an hour or so. Don't know if it was just preconception at work, but it seemed to get louder (compared to same gain setting on Triode) and a lot less sweet, less detailed.

I will, in the near future, give Pentode operation more of a chance. Note: You can't "shift on the fly", which would make comparrison listening a breeze. To switch modes, you have to power down. Wait for cool off. Power back up (and wait for warm up). It's still not a big deal, I know. But it's not the t/p/t ability that a lot of posters on other sites seem to think it is.

And yes, while I prefer analog in my rig I do have a digital camera. One of these days I'll even figure out how to post pics on the web (if you've got a photo-hosting for dummies pointer or two, I'd be glad to try).

Bosh · « **Reply #5 on:** 3 Feb 2003, 05:46 am »

Quote from: Joe Schlabotnick

Bosh,

Your ASL amp has a switch that allows you to choose between Triode and Pentode. I assume you have played with this switch and could enlighten us all as to how the amplifier changes the character of the overall sound?

Well guess what? I have done a lot more Triode/Pentode listening and, well Pentode is now my favored "tode". Other careful listeners have come to the same conclusion.

There's more air, a MUCH more 3D presentation and perhaps an octave more bass in the Pentode setting.

Posters on others sites say this could be a factor of the trannys being voiced for Pentode rather than Triode. Others say it's just best to use a tube--in this case KT88s--as it was originally designed. Whatever the reason, as much as I loved this amp in Triode, I love it more in "P".

BTW: Louis has posted better pics of the Artic Blue enclosures. See top of this group.

Cheers

B

nathanm · « **Reply #6 on:** 3 Feb 2003, 08:09 am »

Hi Bosh! I'm curious; what's the noise level like with that amp on those speakers? I ask because I recently purchased a pair of Fostex drivers similar to the ones Omega uses and the thing that struck me was how much the noise of either the recording itself or the amp self-noise really became apparent with the efficient speakers.

Bosh · « **Reply #7 on:** 3 Feb 2003, 04:54 pm »

Quote from: nathanm

what's the noise level like with that amp on those speakers?

That's one of my favorite questions these days, nath! Black. Super quiet. With vinyl source (and it can't help that I'm using the little Radio Shack phono pre for the moment) there is some sight hiss, but only when I put my ear directy--and I mean directly--up to the driver.

If there is a noise problem in the chain, highly efficient loudspeakers will make it even worse. Or I should say that was true in my case.

My HH Scott 299-D, a lovely amp in need of all new caps, was a bit of a "hummer". When I swapped in the Omegas, the noise got bigger and louder.

Good luck

-b

jackman · « **Reply #8 on:** 4 Feb 2003, 11:06 pm »

Very cool sounding speakers! I look forward to hearing some of Louis' larger models at the Midwestaudiofest. The ArcticBlue looks very cool. I can't wait to hear them with vinyl. Hopefully, Louis will have his vinyl setup at the fest.

Jack

Bosh · « **Reply #9 on:** 5 Feb 2003, 04:56 am »

I can't wait to hear them with vinyl. Hopefully, Louis will have his vinyl setup at the fest.

Jack[/quote]

Well, I think Lou is "in between" vinly set ups, but you should ask him. At the very least he'll probably know another exhibitor who's got analog up front.

Have fun out there.

-b

wunderlast · « **Reply #10 on:** 5 Feb 2003, 03:27 pm »

Ts1s sound good with Cds, but better with vinyl.

Louis O · « **Reply #11 on:** 11 Feb 2003, 03:05 pm »

Hi everyone,

I will be bringing vinyl to the show. looks like the table will be a Eurolab and the phonostage is a Loricraft. The speakers do sound great with vinyl. Can't wait for everyone to hear the analogue set up. Also I will be bringing a Ram amp courtesy of Bill at Response Audio. This is a 30 watt hybrid integrated amp that sounds great. It's based on the Jolida and is heavily modified. The amp uses a tube pre section and Mosfet power. Check it out at http://www.responseaudio.com/RA 301M.htm.

Thanks,
Louis

Bill Baker · « **Reply #12 on:** 12 Feb 2003, 09:06 pm »

I too have listened to the Omega speakers, (currently TS3 in beautiful Cherry veneer and it mates very well with my RAM 301 with the 1/4" Cherry face plate), with vinyl playback and was very satisfied. Most listening has been with my vintage Yamaha (Ebay-$40) table through a $1k Sonnoteer phono stage (I was out of the Creek OBH-8 I usually use with this table). But have also used my Music Hall MMF-5
The amp was the RAM 301 Signature as Louis mentions above so I won't get into details on the primise of sounding bias.
I am a vinyl fanatic and find this combination preferable for my personal taste. I can only imagine the sound through a low powered SET amp. I will try these speakers next with my modified S-5, 8 wpc tube unit and/or the RAM tube CD player.
The next speaker I will audition is the TS1 Grande. Can't wait !!!