Gromit's music centre...

[pure sound]

Now with the lights on...

It is a little fruitier in triode mode Richard!

[Gromit]

It is a little fruitier in triode mode Richard!

Aah! Thanks Guy - there are no markings on the case on this A30 to tell which way the switches should be for triode/UL. I know on my old A30 it was 'forward' for triode, in fact I dug out some old photos to confirm so could these be wired the other way around? I've tried both positions and my ears are telling me...

To rear: Full, warm, slightly sluggish.
Forwards: Leaner, faster.

That's why I've been scratching my head.

Whilst you're here, is it ok to switch between modes whilst the amp is live (volume at zero) or best to power down? Thanks.

[pure sound]

Yes thats ok. Volume down.

That first batch of amps didn't have the switches when they were sent over here. They were sold without however a few customers asked how to fit them & a couple eventually came back to me for me to do it. So it's quite possible that that amp could have the switches wired the other way round by an early owner. What you describe certainly suggests as much.

It's worth experimenting with the 4 & 8 ohm taps aswell.

[Gromit]

Excellent - many thanks.

I'll have a play with the speaker outlets too in that case.

[Tarzan]

l cannot keep up.

[Gromit]

l cannot keep up.

I'm struggling myself, Andy.

[Tarzan]

I'm struggling myself, Andy.

[jandl100]

Coo - Young Gromit's gone all glowy.

Sound quality is just 'KEL-like' for those familiar with it. Very listenable, sweet and detailed with a surprising amount of pep. Definitely not soft and cuddly!!

Yep, that's how I remember the sound of KEL amps. Very peppy indeed.

So how does the Puresound A30 come across in comparison?

[Yomanze]

Only real reason I sold the old A30 was because it didn't get on with my Royds - drove them fine, but they needed an amp with extremely tight bass control, especially in my room. Had the same issue with the IC Claymore in our new place - the Sony tidied things up beautifully

Interesting comments Richard have found the same with Royds from the Sorcerer to the Minstrel to (especially) the RR3. They might be 'easy to drive' but I've found they love serious power and enough damping factor to take them to the next level, losing the 'boom' with badly matched amps in favour of bass speed, delineation and texture.

[Gromit]

Interesting comments Richard have found the same with Royds from the Sorcerer to the Minstrel to (especially) the RR3. They might be 'easy to drive' but I've found they love serious power and enough damping factor to take them to the next level, losing the 'boom' with badly matched amps in favour of bass speed, delineation and texture.

Spot on Neil - for Royds to really sing (and ye gods they can, from the highest rooftops) their tendancy to be very loose at the bottom needs reining in IME. They'll sound just fine on pretty much any amp (within reason) as they're not ruthlessly revealing, but they do need firm control to give their very best.