WD88VA and Ariels, a good combination?

[MartinH]

I would really wellcome some views on this. Currently I have a WAD 2A3PSE (remember those) driving my Lynn Olsen Ariel 5B speakers. I am wondering how well a WD88VA would work with the speakers. Maybe someone has heard this combination?

One aspect is that the WD88VA has some feedback which the 2A3PSE does not. Lynn Olsen cited feedback as a possible reason why the Ariels do not sound good with transistor amps. Could this also be the case with the WD88VA?

[andrew ivimey]

WD88etcetc doesn't need the feedback switched in. iT is optional.

I am sure it would give the Ariels a run for their money. I am sure it would sound althogether bigger, deeper, fuller and well, better than WAD2A3PSE.

[Greg.]

Hi Martin,

I agree with Andrew. I would expect the WD88VA to work better with the Ariels than the WAD2A3PSE which I own. You should get more punch and authority to the sound, but maybe a little less delicate particularly in the mid-range. Certainly Ariels sounded really good with my WAD 300B PP clone a few years back. The main thing to consider is that you'll be changing basic amplifier topology, moving from single ended to push pull. There is a significant difference between the two in terms of sound presentation and you need to suck and see to decide what you prefer.

Best wishes,

Greg

[MartinH]

More punch and authority sounds good.

Is the feedback switcheable as part of the standard kit or do you need to add a couple of switches, perhaps on the back panel?

[Richard]

WD88 is p-p UL with around 20dB global feedback which is not switchable afaik. You could disconnect it yourself I suppose but it will then become very sensitive and probably quite mushy sounding due to loss of bandwidth and increased output impedance.

Rich

[systemx]

Originally Posted by Richard

WD88 is p-p UL with around 20dB global feedback which is not switchable afaik. You could disconnect it yourself I suppose but it will then become very sensitive and probably quite mushy sounding due to loss of bandwidth and increased output impedance.

Rich

Been there, tried that, sounds awful, re-connected feedback.

[andrew ivimey]

well that sounds unambiguous - useful to know

[Richard]

Yes I found the same with Kit88 Terry. That was full pentode but I suspected UL wouldn't be much better.

Some WAD 2a3 and 300B amps had switchable fb. Triodes are more linear and have lower output resistance of course. My 300B p-p was originally switchable p-p but sounds better without.

Rich

[prince of darkness]

Might well sound good zero feedback in triode mode.
My Rogers Cadet sounded bad zero feedback, in pentode mode (though it still had something previously lacking). In triode mode, zero feedback it sounds wonderful.

[MartinH]

So to summarise, it sounds like a triode push pull amp (maybe 300B) with no feedback could be the best match for the Ariels.

Is there any good kits available for this sort of amp? Or is it a case of building one from scratch? I guess there must be at least some good circuits described on the internet.