Octave Audio V 80 SE integrated amplifier Associated Equipment

Sidebar 2: Associated Equipment

Analog Sources: Kuzma Stabi S turntable & Stogi S tonearm; Music Hall MMF-7.3 turntable; Denon DL-103, Goldring Elite MC, Ortofon 2M Bronze cartridges.
Digital Sources: Apple MacBook computer running Audirvana Plus; Halide DAC HD, PS Audio NuWave DACs; LG BD player; Western Digital T2 Mirror Drives (2).
Preamplification: Auditorium 23 A23 moving-coil step-up transformer, Heed Audio Quasar phono stage, Shindo Laboratory Allegro preamplifier.
Power Amplifier: Shindo Laboratory Haut-Brion.
Integrated Amplifier: Heed Audio Elixir.
Loudspeakers: DeVore Fidelity Orangutan O/93, Elac Debut B6, Snell Type J/II.
Headphones: Master & Dynamic MH40.
Cables: Interconnect: AudioQuest Water, JPS Labs Superconductor, Shindo Laboratory. Speaker: AudioQuest Castle Rock, Auditorium 23, Tellurium Q Black.
Accessories: Mapleshade Clearview Double Helix Mk.II power strip; Music Hall Aztec Blue & Mooo record mats; Spec AD-UP1 Analog Disc Sheet; Salamander five-tier rack; IKEA Aptitlig bamboo chopping boards (under turntable, preamplifier, power amplifier); Mapleshade 15" by 12" by 2" maple platform; 2" by 2" by 0.5" mahogany blocks; 3"-thick studio-treatment foam damping (ceiling, walls).
Listening Room: 12' L by 10' W by 12' H, system set up along long wall; suspended wood floor, 6"-thick walls (plaster over 2x4), wood-beamed ceiling.—Ken Micallef

COMPANY INFO
Octave Audio
US distributor: Dynaudio North America
1852 Elmdale Avenue
Glenview, IL 60026
(847) 730-3280
ARTICLE CONTENTS

COMMENTS
BradleyP's picture

The ability to drive 2-ohm loads certainly indicates power and current, but what speakers in production today present a nominal 2-ohm load? Some full range ribbons of the 80s and 90s presented that and worse, but isn't that behind us, now?

John Atkinson's picture
BradleyP wrote:
The ability to drive 2-ohm loads certainly indicates power and current, but what speakers in production today present a nominal 2-ohm load?

If you look at the impedance measurements I publish with Stereophile's speaker reviews, you will see that quite a few speakers drop below 3 ohms, particularly in the lower midrange, where music has a lot of energy. And when you consider that the electrical phase angle can be often be quite high when the impedance is low, exacerbating the drive difficulty, I think that judging an amplifier on its ability to drive 2 ohms is eminently reasonable.

John Atkinson
Editor, Stereophile

BradleyP's picture

I'm honored to be schooled by the best. Thank you, sir.

mrkaic's picture

... the third harmonic is down 54 dB, not 64 dB.

John Atkinson's picture
mrkaic wrote:
the third harmonic is down 54 dB, not 64 dB.

Good spotting. I corrected it.

John Atkinson
Editor, Stereophile

mrkaic's picture

Is it just me or are the KT150s some of the ugliest tubes out there? Much prefer the classic look of KT88s.

Sleepow's picture

Hi,
The review concludes by a high recommendation given proper accompanying gear.
Those are totally different price points, but would the B&W 805D3 or the Vivid G4 be good pairings with the V80?
They source being an eXasound e22 DAC.
I am concerned the 805 would be too lean and bright, the G4 not fed enough power.
Regards,
Cedric

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