Tube Monoblocks for heavy music on Khorns

What about the hybrid (Tube, Tube, SS) running active with crossovers, slopes, delays and equalization done in one digital to analog conversion. This is done with my Apple Minimac and Apple Firewire compatible TC Electronic DAC Preamp?

Atmasphere: What if all the same amps (hence all the same characterists) are used in an active system? For example, a s-30 on the bass, a s-30 on the mids and a s-30 on the treble. If all these are crossed over at low-level therefore not requiring highlevel crossovers it should INCREASE impact, right? EG same amps with same characteristics and reactance for all drivers;No high-level crossovers that mess with phase and cause loss of dB due to insertion loss;all amps have smaller bandwidths to amplifiy. Now...this versus a circuit with high level crossovers in addition to only having one amp amplifying the entire frequency band?? I would think the active system would have more impact, but maybe I'm missing something. Not to mention the multiple amps woud be time delayed to all reach the listening position simultaneously, in case speakers are not time-alligned. Thx!!

Atmasphere, Do you think that it is better to have two nice "Big" monoblocks with passive high level crossovers, or small SE amps if you want, then having an active system without passive crossovers in ALL cases? I know there are alot of considerations to avoid generalizing the answer. I have had true full range systems driven with one amp, however for hard music it seems like integrating a subwoofer always provided improved sound FOR ME.

Tjnif, if I ran the Khorns with active low level crossovers and obviously without passive high level crossovers I could simply turn the level down on the squaker, EQ out some offending frequencies or both. Also, I could time allign the drivers all with just one digital conversion in all and usually with less phase consideration as opposed to using high level crossovers. Your thoughts????

Atmasphere, I have the ability to change the phase, frequency, slope, delay, HP, LP, band-pass, gain levels of all circuits with my Minimac. Also, while incorporating these crossovers I can take microphone measurements to see how the driver rolls off naturally as well as take in-room measurement of each driver on it's own. I also have a 31 band EQ to EQ the entire system or what not to get a flat in-room response, if even just for a reference point and go from there. All from the listening position! This is all done in one digital to analog conversion from one source. I do understand what you are saying about the passives and can see your point. In the end, what sounds right is right and you never know until then. But there is a lot going on here in this particular active system that could be advantageous.

Good point Tjnif. Sometimes I do not enjoy constant tweaking and would rather just hear music. I will check out the site. Thx

Atmasphere: I thought the passive high level crossover was one of the bigggest problems for tube amps. Wouldn't an active system alleviate THAT particular problem. I am sure it would create other problems, too??

It would be nice to do an A/B test with the same speakers in the same room: (A) with the passive crossovers and one amp. (B) without the passives but with actives, and at the same slope and frequencies. Also, each amp in the active circuit would be the same as the amp used in (A).

Atmasphere: What did you and Brian Cheney run at the CES? I thought he liked active systems, but he probably didn't use them at CES with you, did he???