I'm starting to warm up to the hybrid amp topology and wouldn't mind another listen with the Oblivion, as well as some other hybrid amps. Similarly, I'm liking the combination of a tube pre-amp with a solid-state power amp. Best-of-both-worlds kind of arrangement
Hi.
Thanks to member
@llamaluv for initial testing with Susvara.
It was later in other friend's setups with Susvara I put the Oblivion to the test.
Also, to respond to that idea quoted,
I used to think that in the general, (about using a tube preamp) as it does make sense, but the truth is, most equipment is still not optimally implemented.
They just throw a tube circuit in the middle for "tube distortion" and looks..
You would be surprised at how many do this.
In contrast, this amp, and the hybrid amp thread previous to this thread shows, if a circuit is not using the tubes specifically for voltage and the "solid state" for current, its not an ideal hybrid design.
Also the ideal usage of CCS & Gyrators is what gives this amp the quick recovery & transients, to perform as if it was a higher wattage amp.
The other parts of the design (like "parafeed" part of the topology) is not uncommon but the
implementation of it
, in a way to reduce the parts parasitics, is also key to this design.
I am sure SonicTrance or MrCurwen can elaborate better, but I cannot understate this point.
That is what truly differentiates this amp from common tube amp designs, or common hybrid designs.
The electronics market is slow to modernize and most amps you see, (even in the multi-thousand dollar level) are still using old school topology, which consequentially relys very heavily on parts quality.
You can't get around this on current tube designs.
They are still following old school topologies.
You see it everywhere and upgrades will cost you more.
Name a tube amp brand now, and you'll see it's old school design.
This is also why you will hear nothing but crickets from competitors because they know this.
Eventually the market will come around, but in the meantime, this amp has turned out to be the most optimal implementation.
If you have been following the previous modern amp thread, or even the LittleDot Mk6/MK8 super mod thread, you would know that I was not a believer in this type of topology at all.
I was a stubborn believer of old school designs.
There is a stigma in the tube camp where oldtimers feel a need four purest tube design without Solid State.
I also had this belief system.
And it is true, most hybrid designs are done poorly..
So It was only until I was able to test it and hear it for myself. At first I was in heavy denial that this amp could sound as good as the amps next to it (at the time they were very expensive).
It actually took some time for my mind and denial to accept the fact what I was hearing.
I wasn't even planning to hold onto this amp at all.
I was only supposed to inspect, review, and then ship it off.
So in summary, this is the first implementation that I feel is done right, only because I myself was able to confirm
through comparison.
). But I liked what I heard.
