Alan Shaw said:If, in a controlled experiment with all variables accounted for (incl. differences in frequency reponse and within the power range appropriate to the amps) under instantaneous A-B relay switchover, driving any Harbeth speakers, if you can positively identify an amplifier by sound alone, I will give you, FOC, a pair of brand new Harbeth speakers, up to and including a pair of M40.1 in any veneer you fancy.
Don't see too many takers so perhaps confidence is not running as high as the talk.
Yes I'm expecting the caveats to emerge eventually. Otherwise you just pick an old valve amp with sloppy bass and a flat but clinical modern SS and even Serge would tell the difference every time.
By the way, Serge, can you throw in an extra pair of Monitor 40's?
I have three amplifiers: a Croft 25R / Leak Stereo 20, a Audio Synthesis PAS 02 / Quad 303, and an old MkI Rega Brio. I'm confident I could tell them apart.
Tony L, - did you try the link to the HUG, - did you get the virus message ?
(run Apple software update first, if you haven't already)
Prove it
And get some free speakers for your trouble.
I'd love to as I rather fancy either a pair of M40s or a pair of P3ESRs, but it would be inappropriate my entering this type of thing as I'm 'trade' due to running this place. I never do any audio competitions or draws for this reason. I'd strongly advise folk to follow it up though, it's a bit of fun, and assuming you chose your amps well, easily winnable IMO.
I only see it as easily winnable if the amplifiers are radically different. A Krell against a 3W SET might do it, but with decent modern SS amps, I don't see how they could possibly be different.
S.