VTL
or Gryphon?
January
22, 2018
Marc,
In
the past, you've written very highly of VTL amplification. Being a bottom-feeder, I've
been patiently waiting for a deal on a VTL
S-400 Series II Reference to drive my Wilson Alexia speakers.
I
recently had an audio dealer suggest that I abandon the VTL idea, because the Gryphon
Antileon Evo is the way to go. I've never had the chance to hear Gryphon electronics at
length. Have you? Thoughts?
John
Leosco
It's
no secret that dealers want to sell you what they offer for sale, and in most cases of
recommending a solid-state amp over the VTL S-400 II tube amp, I would say the suggestion
is rash at best. However, it makes some sense with a Gryphon amp, which will have the
tonal density and sweetness of tubes. While it would be a given that the solid-state
Antileon Evo would control a speaker better and provide greater bass drive and weight than
a tube amp, that may not be the case compared to the S-400 II, which is a rather stout and
powerful tube amp. Given that you're considering both amps, I don't think you would go
wrong with either of them driving your Wilson Alexias, because they share more in sonic
terms than most other solid-state and tube amps. But, of course, one of them will be more
right for you than the other. Both amps are expensive, so choose wisely -- and try to hear
the one you don't pick, if you can handle the potential disappointment. -Marc
Mickelson
New
Aptitlig
January
16, 2018
Roy,
I
just happened on an article of yours from 2014 about using IKEA's bamboo
cutting boards under components. I looked up the largest of them online, and it
appears it's no longer a three-layer construction, but uses a simpler two layers. I don't
know if that'll make a big difference, but I wonder what you think.
Bob
Beamesderfer
As
you can see here, the current Aptitlig board is made out of two layers of bamboo
board, but each layer is made from short strips of bamboo laminated together. It’s
this random structure and the fiber-matrix nature of bamboo itself that make the Aptitlig
such an effective support platform. The original Aptitlig did use three layers: a central
core of vertically arrayed strips with single horizontal layers top and bottom. l
haven’t compared the two versions, but, thinking about energy passing through the
board, I suspect that the paired vertical strips of the new version will be even more
effective. I’d better get a couple and try them out. -Roy Gregory
Vibration
control?
January
10, 2018
Marc,
What
are your thoughts on vibration control for components if one is using a good, solid
high-end audio rack? Do you feel it's still necessary if a high-grade audiophile rack is
in place?
Sheldon
Simon
An
effective equipment rack can make a big difference, sometimes highlighting the difference
between okay and exceptional sound, as your electronics are finally able to achieve their
full potential when vibration and resonance are fully addressed. But your question is
predicated on what's meant by "a good, solid high-end rack." Racks from Silent
Running Audio (one of which I use) and HRS certainly qualify as better than
"good," and they are designed to not only isolate from airborne and
structure-borne vibration, but also aid in dissipating microvibration within the
components themselves, and they are effective with source components, especially
turntables, which are adversely affected by vibration. Lesser racks often address
vibration from outside the components themselves but do not drain off that energy once
it's already within the components. Thus, they are only addressing half of the problem,
which is certainly better than ignoring it completely. -Marc Mickelson
Reader
list
January
1, 2018
Marc,
Please
add me to reader list.
Larry
Goodwin
You've
been added. To join TAB's reader list and find out about new articles first,
send e-mail to rl@theaudiobeat.com.
-Marc Mickelson
