What's your OTL tube amp experience and suggestion?


Are OTL amps in general much less reliable due to their nature, or due to the implementation quality, or both?

Perhaps this has been discussed a zillion times in the past.   Perhaps, however, makers have now improve on past experience?  So it could be worth re-visiting.

My past encounters with OTL tube amps are among the most negative: Wonderful (but never great) sound during the brief period that they work.  Otherwise, major fire hazard.  Overheating, red hot plates, sparks, consistently toasted fuses, burning smell, you name it.  My past OTL amps are like crying babies on an changing table - don't you ever walk away from an arm's distance.   The used market seem to reflect such as well --- way more 'as-is for parts' or 'totally refurbished' units than reliable 'used' units that rarely need service.

Beg your pardon if it's just my poor judgement that keep getting the lemons.   What's your experience, and tips to keep OTL amps up and running happily?


bsimpson

Showing 1 response by kdude66

Hello All,

I have the Zotl 40 paired with the MZ2S preamp and after 4 days of use,only playing my worst sounding recordings as a test I find they all sound better than I've ever heard them.I'm using Mullard XF2's from 1966 and haven't used the gold lion Kt77' yet.

More evaluation time needed to truly sort this out,but I do believe I have found a pairing that I will be happy with for a long time.

Best,
Kenny.