Upgrade from OG Paramours to Kaiju 300B?

[matt99eo]

I feel the DIY bug biting again am thinking about new power amps(s).

Currently running OG Bottlehead Paramours with CES upgrade and Sophia electric S.E.T. Princess 300B 2.5V Mesh Plate Tubes http://www.sophiaelectric.com/pages/se/princess_300b_25v.htm in place of the 2A3's... 

Thinking about a Kaiju kit but alas not sure I want to give up the monoblocks.   How much will I notice going to a stereo amp if I went that way and only built one?

Also thinking about the Jager speakers...  Where should I go?!?

Rest of system:
- Hagtech Chime DAC/Pre Amp
- Fostex 208Esigmas horns

 

[Paul Birkeland]

Thinking about a Kaiju kit but alas not sure I want to give up the monoblocks.   How much will I notice going to a stereo amp if I went that way and only built one?

The current Stereomour is a significant upgrade from any of the stock versions of the Paramour.  The Kaiju is an even bigger step up from the Stereomour. 

The playing field would be narrowed slightly if your Paramours had Magnequest iron, but even then you can't get the SR driver like you get in a stock Kaiju or upgraded Stereomour, nor the DC filament supply available for both kits.

Also thinking about the Jager speakers...  Where should I go?!?
- Hagtech Chime DAC/Pre Amp
- Fostex 208Esigmas horns

That's a tough one.  Do you enjoy your current speakers?  A Kaiju paired with Jaegers would be a big jump in performance, but if you have to pick either the Kaiju or the Jaeger, it would depend on how you are enjoying your current speakers and (for me at least) whether you're rocking the Paramour amps with the Speco T-7010/Triad C-7X iron package. 

 

[Doc B]

There is no sonic penalty in going to the stereo Kaiju vs. using monoblocks. And as PB says, the improvements in the iron and power supply design in our current kits will make a big difference compared to a Paramour.

 

[matt99eo]

Generally happy with the speakers though looking to extend the bass with the Kaiju and possibly subwoofer(s). 

How well does a sub integrate with the Kaiju thru the a high level speaker input like can be done with a Rel S or T series? Thoughts on augmenting Full range speakers with sub(s)?

 

[Paul Birkeland]

When you have both a line level and speaker level input on your powered subwoofer, I would recommend trying both and evaluating the connections based on your setup. 

Can you post photos of your Paramours?

-PB

 

[matt99eo]

Here are the photos.

As far as the input to a powered sub, I don't have a low level out of the pre.  I've read the hi level out from speaker terminal is a great option, but it seams like with mono blocks you need dedicated subs for each channel.

That's one reason I am considering the Kaiju in stereo. 

Appreciate the tips!

 

[Paul Birkeland]

The Stereomour or Kaiju would be a big step up from the performance of those OG Paramours, with the Kaiju providing a bigger increase in bandwidth, power, and overall performance. 

 

[joepiecuch]

This seems like maybe the appropriate place to solicit opinions on something I'll ultimately have to decide for myself, but perhaps the more informed could weigh in. In the interest of improving my long time, much loved Bottlehead stereo (Foreplay 3, Marchand XM26, Paraglows, Parabees, Straight 8s), I've ordered a Bee Pre and Kaiju and will get in on the next Jager production run. I intend to fold the new stuff into my stereo and use the replaced components to provide my daughter a tube based system. Which option would you expect will provide a more smoothly integrated sound: running the Kaiju through the passive crossover into the Jagers or keeping the Marchand crossover in place with, presumably, the Paraglows providing the high end signal to the Jagers? 

 

[Doc B]

I tend to prefer active crossovers. However, you would need to modify the Marchand filter slopes to make them match the crossover frequencies and slopes of the stock passive crossover. A third option is to order a custom crossover specifically for the Jager from Paul Birkeland. That is what I use.

 

[joepiecuch]

Thanks; Marchand sells 'frequency module' plug in circuit boards with specs as needed, so when Jager order time comes around I will request that info.