Thanks very much, Matt. Yes, the Daedalus Ulysses, in the configuration I have that was introduced about 3 years ago which includes "all poly" crossover capacitors, is 98 db/1W/1m. It also has a very flat impedance curve, as well as high power handling capability, all of which makes it unusually versatile with respect to amplifier selection.
Regarding your question, what I said was "the power capability of a solid state amp into 4 ohms MAY [emphasis added] be as much as twice its capability into 8 ohms."
As you probably realize, the power capability of MOST solid state amps will be substantially greater into 4 ohms than into 8 ohms, in many cases approaching twice as much, and in some cases equaling twice as much. Two ohms may be a different story, of course, as a lot of amplifiers will not do well dealing with such a heavy load.
As you indicated, though, your McIntosh MC-352 amplifier has the same output rating into 8, 4 and 2 ohm loads. That is essentially a consequence of the unusual autoformer-based design of its output circuits. I am not aware of any non-McIntosh amplifiers that use a similar approach.
As opposed to a tube amplifier utilizing an output transformer, however, the solid state + autoformer approach provides considerably lower output impedance/higher damping factor (damping factor being spec'd at 40). As a consequence of that it WILL, like most solid state amplifiers, to a very close approximation double actual power DELIVERY (as opposed to CAPABILITY) as load impedance is halved, AS LONG AS it is operated within its 350W or so capability, and as long as the impedance of the speaker is a reasonable match for the output tap on the amplifier that the speaker is connected to.
In contrast to most tube amps, that essentially places the MC-352 in what Atmasphere refers to as the voltage paradigm camp, i.e., its output voltage for a given input will be essentially constant regardless of load impedance, as long as the amplifier is operated within its capabilities.
Regards,
-- Al
Regarding your question, what I said was "the power capability of a solid state amp into 4 ohms MAY [emphasis added] be as much as twice its capability into 8 ohms."
As you probably realize, the power capability of MOST solid state amps will be substantially greater into 4 ohms than into 8 ohms, in many cases approaching twice as much, and in some cases equaling twice as much. Two ohms may be a different story, of course, as a lot of amplifiers will not do well dealing with such a heavy load.
As you indicated, though, your McIntosh MC-352 amplifier has the same output rating into 8, 4 and 2 ohm loads. That is essentially a consequence of the unusual autoformer-based design of its output circuits. I am not aware of any non-McIntosh amplifiers that use a similar approach.
As opposed to a tube amplifier utilizing an output transformer, however, the solid state + autoformer approach provides considerably lower output impedance/higher damping factor (damping factor being spec'd at 40). As a consequence of that it WILL, like most solid state amplifiers, to a very close approximation double actual power DELIVERY (as opposed to CAPABILITY) as load impedance is halved, AS LONG AS it is operated within its 350W or so capability, and as long as the impedance of the speaker is a reasonable match for the output tap on the amplifier that the speaker is connected to.
In contrast to most tube amps, that essentially places the MC-352 in what Atmasphere refers to as the voltage paradigm camp, i.e., its output voltage for a given input will be essentially constant regardless of load impedance, as long as the amplifier is operated within its capabilities.
Regards,
-- Al