Thomas Seok Hwan Kong Class D musings, YouTube vids and other streams of consciousness

Discussion in 'Power Amps' started by Thomas Seok Hwan Kong, Feb 12, 2023.

  1. Thomas Seok Hwan Kong

    Thomas Seok Hwan Kong New

    Joined:
    Apr 14, 2020
    Likes Received:
    5
    Trophy Points:
    8
    Location:
    Spam City
    As you see lot of cables and tweaks over there, I keep updating or experimenting with my system.

    After I finish it, I will upload it to my system.
     
  2. Thomas Seok Hwan Kong

    Thomas Seok Hwan Kong New

    Joined:
    Apr 14, 2020
    Likes Received:
    5
    Trophy Points:
    8
    Location:
    Spam City
    Just for your informaiton.

    After 45 years of audioohile, I still keep changing or upgrading my system.

    I started with ADS bookself driven by Fisher integrated, Garrad turntable at 1978 (45 years ago).

    My best 5 speakers are

    1. Scaena 3.2 (2022 to present) Least distortion using line arrays of multiple drivers with wide and deep soundstage.

    2. Lansche 4.1 (2006-2021) but in the attic now
    Plasma tweeter give nice vocal sound with also nice bass up to 20 hz due to active driven two 10 inch woofers.

    3. Apogee Duetta Sig( 1999-2009)
    I shall not had let it go. Just one of the most musical sound driven by Krell KSA 150.

    4. Altec A7 (2021- present)
    Nice sound but after I got Scaena, I use only basshorns for 180 hz and down.

    5. B&W Notilus 801 (2000-2002) driven by Jadis 500 gave the most powerful bass in my listening room.

    But Jadis 500 gave too much heat during summer time, I let them go together.


    6. Avalon Ascent II also sound musical.

    The worst one in my room was Wilson Watt Puppy 4 which sound so bright that I let it go only after 6 months on 2000.

    If I had DSP, I could have tamed the sound.
     
  3. Thad E Ginathom

    Thad E Ginathom Friend

    Pyrate
    Joined:
    Sep 27, 2015
    Likes Received:
    14,134
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Location:
    India
    Aha! Cat spotted. One cat makes it all worth while.

    It's not just you. Which is why I prefer to talk about cats than the amazing array of audio equipment on show.

    I guess it would come as a shock, maybe even a denial of reality, to many a "youtuber" who thinks that I can hear their system from a video. No: mostly I can hear my system, along with whatever youtube compression has done to the sound, and just maybe the mic used for the recording.

    I would expect most SBAFers to consider it a non-starter of an idea. Some may want to know what a particular youtuber has to say about something, but not to sample the sound thereof.

    Even if we take the remote demo idea to extremes (maybe Thomas has: he seems to have taken much else to extremes) and use the most ideal equipment for the recording, and great care with the mastering, it is still going to be heard on other people's gear.

    There are only three ways around this. 1, invite people for listening sessions, and distance may be prohibitive. 2, send it all out on a loaner tour, and then heaps of stuff may be be prohibitive.

    Or 3. Agree to a certain language, trying to stick to the sensical rather than the nonsensical, with mutually understood meaning.

    My meagre understanding is that "3" is the most usual SBAF route.
     
    • Agreed, ditto, +1 Agreed, ditto, +1 x 3
    • Like Like x 2
    • List
  4. Senorx12562

    Senorx12562 Case of the mondays

    Pyrate
    Joined:
    Oct 26, 2015
    Likes Received:
    3,274
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Location:
    Bird-watcher's paradise
    Sounds just like my tablet.
     
    • Epic Epic x 10
    • Like Like x 3
    • List
  5. Thomas Seok Hwan Kong

    Thomas Seok Hwan Kong New

    Joined:
    Apr 14, 2020
    Likes Received:
    5
    Trophy Points:
    8
    Location:
    Spam City
    I agree with you that the best way is to listen to it yourself.

    Atmasphere D and Audion gnd are another hot D class amp available.

    But I could not audition them around Seattle area.
     
  6. Thomas Seok Hwan Kong

    Thomas Seok Hwan Kong New

    Joined:
    Apr 14, 2020
    Likes Received:
    5
    Trophy Points:
    8
    Location:
    Spam City





    I brough down two Lanshce 4.1 speakers (85lb) each from third floor by myself.

    It was lot of work.

    The only helping hand is the elevator in my house without it I could not move them.

    I bought Lanshce 4.1 speakers new paying 50k$ on 2006.

    It has plasma tweeter and 99db/w claimed efficiency(real efficiency may be 95db/w).

    I used to drive this speaker with Silbatone 300b amp fitted with WE 300b made in 50's.

    But after movijng to larger listening space, Silbatone could not do it.

    Thus I had tried Cronus Rogue Magnum II for a while and then Line Magnetic 508 since 2017.

    But after I got Altec A7, 2021, I got enamored by its unlimited dynamics.

    Thus Lansche got a break in the attic.

    Then after I assembled Scaena 3.2, I use main tower of Scaena 3.2 for upper frequency, and use Alted basshorn for bass using active by amping.

    12 3.5 inch mid drivers of Scaena 3.2 has no passive network.
    9 ribbon drivers are also connect with simple low pass using a capacitor.

    Thus Scaena 3.2 is very revealing speaker.

    But plasma twetter of Lansche 4.1 give slightly more details.

    I drive Lansche 4.1 using Starkrimson from 180 hz up while Altec basshorn and two Scaena 18 inch subwoofers are still engaged.

    Tomorrow, I will try to drive Lansche 4.1 using Starkrimson full range.
     
    • Like Like x 1
    • Dislike Dislike x 1
    • List
  7. Thomas Seok Hwan Kong

    Thomas Seok Hwan Kong New

    Joined:
    Apr 14, 2020
    Likes Received:
    5
    Trophy Points:
    8
    Location:
    Spam City


    I got the feeling that Class D amp had improved a lot in musicality.

    It would be better to audition Atma and Audion Agd D amps but i could not around Seattle area.

    "AGD Audions are lovely.

    Atma Ds are more detailed and transparent.

    But some may prefer the AGDs"

    Above is from someone who listened to both.
     
  8. Case

    Case Anxious Head (Formerly Wilson)

    Pyrate Contributor
    Joined:
    Jul 31, 2016
    Likes Received:
    6,040
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Location:
    Ohio, USA. Home of the eclipse
    Have you tried PortaPros?
     
    • Epic Epic x 9
    • Like Like x 1
    • List
  9. Thomas Seok Hwan Kong

    Thomas Seok Hwan Kong New

    Joined:
    Apr 14, 2020
    Likes Received:
    5
    Trophy Points:
    8
    Location:
    Spam City
    Not yet.
     
  10. Kernel Kurtz

    Kernel Kurtz Friend

    Pyrate Contributor
    Joined:
    May 19, 2018
    Likes Received:
    1,677
    Trophy Points:
    93
    Location:
    Winnipeg, Canada
    Now he's gettin' a tattoo, yeah, he's gettin' ink done
    He asked for a thirteen but they drew a thirty-one
    Friends say, he's tryin' too hard and he's not quite hip
    But in his own mind, he's the, he's the dopest trip
     
    • Like Like x 5
    • Epic Epic x 2
    • List
  11. Thomas Seok Hwan Kong

    Thomas Seok Hwan Kong New

    Joined:
    Apr 14, 2020
    Likes Received:
    5
    Trophy Points:
    8
    Location:
    Spam City

    I drive Lansche 4.2 with Starkrimson full range.

    My impression of Starkrimson is very positive.

    But amplifier and speakers need to have synergy due to impedance and frequrency aberration.

    Thus the best way is to do audition it yourself.

    I will send my tour unit to the person in next line tomorrow.
     
  12. seƱorhifi

    seƱorhifi Friend

    Pyrate
    Joined:
    Oct 16, 2020
    Likes Received:
    381
    Trophy Points:
    63
    Location:
    Spain
    Live changing thread to be honest. I am glad this was pinned to the homepage. Makes learning from here much easier.
     
    • Like Like x 2
    • Agreed, ditto, +1 Agreed, ditto, +1 x 1
    • List
  13. Ksaurav402

    Ksaurav402 Friend

    Pyrate Contributor
    Joined:
    May 7, 2019
    Likes Received:
    2,062
    Trophy Points:
    93
    Location:
    NY
    Oh man! I still can't see the Cat in first video....
     
    • Agreed, ditto, +1 Agreed, ditto, +1 x 3
    • Like Like x 2
    • List
  14. Thomas Seok Hwan Kong

    Thomas Seok Hwan Kong New

    Joined:
    Apr 14, 2020
    Likes Received:
    5
    Trophy Points:
    8
    Location:
    Spam City


    Before seinding it to the person in next line on tour, I took more video clips.

    it seems that Starkrims work better with Lansche 4.1 than Scaena 3.2

    I plan to write comprehensive review after spening my time with Line Magnetic 508 and Schitt Aegir.
     
  15. JK47

    JK47 Friend

    Pyrate
    Joined:
    Oct 31, 2022
    Likes Received:
    2,026
    Trophy Points:
    93
    Location:
    Surf City USA
    BIG D is that you?
     
    • Like Like x 4
    • Epic Epic x 2
    • List
  16. YMO

    YMO Chief Fun Officer

    Pyrate Contributor
    Joined:
    Apr 1, 2018
    Likes Received:
    10,517
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Location:
    Palms Of The Coasts, FL
    Your name rhymes with cawk.
     
  17. Thomas Seok Hwan Kong

    Thomas Seok Hwan Kong New

    Joined:
    Apr 14, 2020
    Likes Received:
    5
    Trophy Points:
    8
    Location:
    Spam City
    \

    I attended Pacific Audiofest held at Seattle last July.

    Big genesis driven by Merril Audio class D amp sounds really spectacular.

    But the combined price of pre and monoblocks is 54k$.

    I do not believe that Starkrimson is at ths same level as Merril Audio class D amp.

    But it seems to be good value.

    As I listen to Scaena through Schitt Aegir again now, I miss transparency and details of Starkrimson although Aegir sounds musical with full body.
     
  18. Thomas Seok Hwan Kong

    Thomas Seok Hwan Kong New

    Joined:
    Apr 14, 2020
    Likes Received:
    5
    Trophy Points:
    8
    Location:
    Spam City


    I am back to one of my tube amps, Rogue Cronuns Magnum II fitted with Tungsol Kt120, vintage Telefuken 12ax7 and Amperex 12au7.

    As good as class D amp is with transparency and details, tube amp sounds more lively.

    But if you want no heat and limit of playing time, it is good to try class D amp.

    I usually turn off tube amp after two hours of playing.


    In that way, i had used my tube amps without any problem for long time.

    Starkrimsom got very close to nice tube amp in musicality.
     
    Last edited: Feb 18, 2023
  19. luckybaer

    luckybaer Friend

    Pyrate Contributor
    Joined:
    Mar 19, 2018
    Likes Received:
    2,191
    Trophy Points:
    93
    Location:
    Missouri
    Are the mods pranking us by bumping this post to the top of the homepage?

    I checked the calendar, and it reads 2/18/23, not 4/1/23.

    Help a lost soul understand what's going on here at SBAF. lol...
     
    • Like Like x 2
    • Agreed, ditto, +1 Agreed, ditto, +1 x 2
    • List
  20. caute

    caute Lana Del Gayer than you

    Pyrate Contributor
    Joined:
    Jul 12, 2022
    Likes Received:
    1,990
    Trophy Points:
    93
    Location:
    The Deep South
    I unironically love that this is pinned to the home page... by the words of the great American, Hunter S. Thompson, "when the going gets weird, the weird turn pro."
     
    Last edited: Feb 19, 2023

Share This Page