Recommend Speakers For Yamamoto

Hi Ghanson,
the reviews and info I'd read claimed that the Yamamoto a-08s was one of the most silent(from a noise floor perspective)designs around. What I found when I recievd it was that there was some 230v hum which I could detect with my head a foot or so from my duos. It isn't a problem though, even when not listening to music, as I'm not aware of it from my listening position. Although I'm not in a silent/dedicated room.

I recieved my Emission labs replacement 45's last night. Plugging these in actually reduced the residual hum somewhat and opened the soundstage even futher than with the NOS 45's suppied. I'm reserving further comment on the EML's untill they have settled in a bit more. First impressions are V.good.

Based on my experience to date I'd say to prospecive owners that they will be pleasently surprised by how great it looks in the flesh and by how natural and effortless the musical presentation seems. (but still dynamic and detailed)

To quote another gonner who I've been talking to "Clean, dynamic, spacious and tuneful. These all apply in spades".

I've not encountered anyone who has said anything negative other than the obvious consideration around careful speaker matching. I'd imagine that anything < 98 db would be perfect.

All I can say is that for me its been a pleasure to use and own and it has me listening to and buying more music than I have in years.

Some high efficiency speakers tend to be tipped up in the presence region from 1k - 4k. I built a pair of bass reflex boxes using Fostex 206E's that exhibit this characteristic. They are great speakers with intimate fare but get boring (into your skull) with hotter music.

With the solid plate EML's, the Yamamoto is not the prototypical SET amp. It isn't particularly lush or euphonic. It isn't syrupy or mellow either. Aside from the obvious efficiency concerns remember this pair won't mellow speakers.

From what I've read, the mesh plates will relax the presentation and NOS tubes further so. I don't have experience with these so won't comment.

That said, the solid plates in this amp are really spectacular. They have edge and grit where the music calls on it while still filling in the breath and space of real performers in live spaces.

My setup with the Def. Pro's lets me change the XO between the sub array and mains so when I really want to crank, the 2 watts can still do it without complaint. It's really something.

Borg and company,

My Yamamoto a-08s came last week and I have got to say I agree with Borg that this thing is a tremendous piece. It is strkingly beautiful for such a product and sounds excellent. Frankly most American designers in a quest for sameness year after year could learn a lesson here. Most tube amlifiers I am familiar with do not have this sense of natural flow combined with agile bass and punch. There are limits to what 2 watts can do but this is very engaging sound with very little if any euphony. The tone is fabulous. Only maximum weight and impact yield to more powerful designs. I am very happy and proud to own such a product. I must beg Darkmoebius's pardon but hum and noise are also ridiculously low and I experienced none of the problems alluded to several postings ago. The literature says "High the strength..."; I couldn't put it any better.
By the way, I am using Omega Grande 6s at 95db/W and got them for a very reasonable sum. Excellent work to Omega loudspeakers as well!!

Ghanson,

How loud can you play Omega Grande?

Thanks

Rocky,

I have a small listening room that measures 11 X 13.5ft. I listen in the nearfield, perhaps 6 feet from the speakers. The question of loudness is quite subjective but I am able to listen to a wide range of material at loud volumes. As my a-08s is just now breaking in completely I can envision having 98db or higher speakers that may give the amp more headroom on some material (rock and large classical works) or in larger rooms. But I have no plans to switch anytime soon and I would not buy this amp if I were a headbanger. Again there are unique advantages with this amp; it can't be eveything to everyone but it is a great alternative to other amplifiers- used with proper speakers there is nothing that makes it a radical or strange choice.
It is also much better at getting the flow of music right in comparison to every other tube amp I've heard.