Tír Na HiFi

FWIW it might be better to ask Cloney's if you can bring the amp to the shop and test it with some B&W speakers.

I'd say that Airtight would go very well with those 801's on the second hand section.

Not really a fan of the B&W sound to be honest. Some love it mind but its not what I'm looking for.

David , I think you're hearing the intrinsic sound of the KT-88 valve in operation. Using the Gamut I'm hearing a less searing top end compared to the UR KT-88 valve amp and the valves I was using were the best I could find. My guess , for what it's worth is the combination of the KT-88 and the Beryllium tweeter.

KM

Ken Moreland wrote:My guess , for what it's worth is the combination of the KT-88 and the Beryllium tweeter.

KM

I reckon you're spot on.

What about BRIANO's Airtight and Martens? I've never heard it myself but does it have any treble issues? It uses similar drivers to the Kharmas(dont know about the Marten's tweeter) so if they are voiced similarly to the Kharmas that might be an indication that the Kharmas will work will work with the ATM2.

DaveF wrote:What about BRIANO's Airtight and Martens? I've never heard it myself but does it have any treble issues? It uses similar drivers to the Kharmas(dont know about the Marten's tweeter) so if they are voiced similarly to the Kharmas that might be an indication that the Kharmas will work will work with the ATM2.

I never noticed any treble issues there at all. Sweet as the proverbial nut.

Ditto on Briano's system. Super clarity, but no hint of harsh treble - in fact very liquid in that department.

Its hard to believe that its the airtight, but there's only one way to find out - try it with another set of speakers. Something else - are there multiple taps on the outputs of the airtight (i.e. 4 or 8 ohm)?

Fran

Fran wrote: - are there multiple taps on the outputs of the airtight (i.e. 4 or 8 ohm)?

Fran

I tried both the 4 and 8 ohm taps. It made no real difference as far as I could tell. My first hunch when I first came across this issue was that it was the KT88s and the Usher tweeter and after some experimentation it does seem to be the case.

I'm not sure if 'brightness' is the correct term to use. Its not searing or painful or anything like that. If you've ever done one of those speaker tests on and AV receiver where it deliberately puts the sound out of phase, it kinda sounds like that a bit, not to that extreme obviously. Its more of a resonance in the ear. Maybe some would call it treble harshness. If anyone wants to drop in and listen feel free to do so as I'd like another opinion.

There's no chance that one of the speaker cables or jumpers are loose or crossed at the speakers?

I know clutching at straws!

Fran

Fran wrote:There's no chance that one of the speaker cables or jumpers are loose or crossed at the speakers?

I know clutching at straws!

Fran

Everything is fine there. It's something to do with the Airtight/Usher combo. Im almost certain of it......almost.