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EQUIPMENT FORUMS >> SE84UFO >> Preferred Ohm switch setting
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Message started by Barnharty on 10/23/16 at 15:40:35

Title: Preferred Ohm switch setting
Post by Barnharty on 10/23/16 at 15:40:35

I just got my first Decware and there seems to be a huge difference between these two settings. I'm curious what you people prefer.

Title: Re: Preferred Ohm switch setting
Post by pursuitofnow on 10/23/16 at 17:42:30

Interesting. For me the difference is not huge at all. Very subtle shift actually. I prefer the 8 ohm for my 8 ohm speakers. Seems somewhat laid back in comparison to the 4 ohm but ears adjust and it is less fatiguing over time.

Title: Re: Preferred Ohm switch setting
Post by Lon on 10/23/16 at 20:46:36

I think the difference is very speaker dependent. I find each of the positions on my Torii with my HR-1s to be a viable choice. My speakers fall in homage about dead center between the two positions so each is good. I prefer the position with the switch towards the front, but with another tube complement and different room placement of the speakers I could easily leave it in the other position. A very useful tool for tailoring the sound.

Title: Re: Preferred Ohm switch setting
Post by Barnharty on 10/24/16 at 01:04:15

That's interesting. I have my Zen select hooked up to a pair of Cornwalls and when I move the switch from forward to backward, it's like all of the music that was around me and filling the room was suddenly pushed back and it's far behind the speakers and the fine detail isn't there anymore. The back position isn't bad, it's smoother and nice for late night listening, but for me and maybe it's my speakers and listening room, the two options sound like two different amplifiers.

Title: Re: Preferred Ohm switch setting
Post by Lon on 10/24/16 at 01:22:23

Well it would be interesting to know what ohmage your speakers are rated and where that falls in terms of the speaker switches. As I said mine at 6 ohms falls right in between the values for the two switches. Pursuit of now finds the 8 ohm clearly preferable to the 4 ohm position in use with his 8 ohm speakers.

I hear clearly different signatures, the one I prefer is a bit more laid back and less "hot" seeming, that's my preference, but I can live with the other signature comfortably especially if I roll a few tubes and adjust the input bias switch. So we may be hearing similar differences, just expressing the differences differently. And I'm talking of using a Torii Mk III, which is a different amp topology as well.

Title: Re: Preferred Ohm switch setting
Post by DBC on 10/24/16 at 15:55:24

I'm running Omega Super Alnico monitors (8 ohm) wired in parallel with 15" LoFOB's (Low Frequency Open Baffles, 8 ohm). So my SE84UFO sees the equivalent of a 4 ohm load in this configuration.

Ohm selector switches set to forward position and I'm sitting in the music. More like being transported into the original recording space. More Space, Depth, Dynamics (Live).

Ohm selector switches set to Reward position and I'm listening to a recording. Instead of flooding the room, the soundstage retreats to the front of the room. Less Space, Depth, Dynamics (Live? Not so much).

In my system it's a big difference. I'm using an Oppo 105D as my source. A minimalist system, Oppo + SE84UFO + Speakers.

Title: Re: Preferred Ohm switch setting
Post by HIFI JEFF on 11/14/16 at 23:16:51

Will setting your amp at the 4ohm setting hurt either the amp or the speakers if they are rated at 8ohms?

Title: Re: Preferred Ohm switch setting
Post by Barnharty on 11/18/16 at 05:56:24

I've been told before that it won't harm anything. And Steve's advice for which setting you should choose is basically, whichever one sounds best.

Title: Re: Preferred Ohm switch setting
Post by Rivieraranch on 04/03/17 at 02:45:37

I've had Zens before and I always had the selector in the forward (hot) position. It just sounds better; more life, energy and verve.

Title: Re: Preferred Ohm switch setting
Post by roggae on 06/14/17 at 03:04:07

this has always been something i wrestled with because my zu audio omens are 12 Ohms. whats a fella to do in this situation? i basically play around with the settings every night. LOL! ;D

Title: Re: Preferred Ohm switch setting
Post by Steve Deckert on 06/14/17 at 05:06:09

The very best thing you can know about the speaker impedance switches is that they are a high/low switch vs. a specifically 4 or 8 ohm switch. On average one position will favor 2~6 ohm speakers and one will favor 6 to 16 ohm speakers. This favoritism is determined by performance, i.e.., how much power the amplifier will put out. This may or may not correlate with the best sound, especially if you are not running your amp near clipping. For this reason it is best to always refer to the switch as being set towards the front and towards the rear with no reference to ohms, and for that matter there is no need to know or worry or wonder about the impedance of your speakers with these amplifiers. Use the switch as a voicing tool and revisit it often.

Steve

Title: Re: Preferred Ohm switch setting
Post by Barnharty on 06/14/17 at 05:33:22

After a lot more use I've come to use the switch almost like a loudness switch. When I'm listening at lower volumes I have them switched forward and it gives me extra clarity and fullness. But, if I'm listening at much higher volume, the forwards switch sounds too bright and uncomfortable, so switching it to the back eases it up without losing any of that detail.