Jaimie Buchanan/Toronto/Canada
I have Snell Type As with a Linn SS amp on the bottom and a Michaelson/Austin Tube amp on top, so the SS/Tube combo really works with these gems. Mattter of fact, I met Peter Snell at an audio show in 1979 and he came right out and said he preferred tubes on top with his Type A's! Key thing is the Snell Electronic X-over made only for the Type A's. It makes a massive difference, in focus, detail, bass, imaging, dynamics - the whole smash, because it's contoured exactly for the Snell Type A's and bypasses the internal X-over completely. The infinite gain adjustment for treble/midrange and bass on this piece really also allows you to adjust for the room, which is important with the Snells. This piece has amazing audiophile parts inside. Mine cost $750. Canadian in 1980 and has never blinked in all these years: not one problem. When one considers that the Snell Type As cost only about 2.5K Canadian in 1980, that gives you an idea of the quality of the X-over. Your electronics are beyond reproach. Sourcing an original Snell X-over would make more difference than 20K in new amps. Try contacting Snell directly. They are very helpful. They might even be able to source one for you.....for all you know, they might even have them in stock as parts, or be able to build one for you, since Snell is still dedicated to servicing everything they've ever produced....One last thought: have you checked the foam surrounds on the woofers? They would certainly need re-coning now if the woofers are original. That alone would make things 'dull out' and make one think new electronics are in order. I had mine done last year, and the difference was astounding....Just carefully pull out the thin black cloth-on-wood strip near the floor and look up at the woofers. If you see rotten, shredded surrounds, then they need repairing. This fix is cheap and restores the bass/midrange balance, snap and clarity...
