I feel that this system is an excellent basic system especially for a small room. It can be added to sourcewise with the addition of a preamplifier and tuner, SACD, and vinyl sources. One could subsitute a fine low power tube amp for the Aleph if one prefers this sort of sound. A balanced amp, like an Aleph 5, might provide some sonic advantages with the Wadia which sounds best with balanced cables, IMHO.
The transformer Emailists refers to is probably the ZERO autoformer designed and marketed by Paul Speltz at www.zeroimpedance.com. I am not saying that Emailists believes this, but there are many who seem to think that somehow putting a transformer between an OTL amp and a speaker implies some kind of failure on the part of the amp. It is simply not true. Using this logic, it is just as reasonable to assume that the loudspeaker is to blame. Simply not true either. The issue is one of compatibility. For example, low powered SET's are not used successfully on low sensitivity loudspeakers because the mismatch. In the NBA 6' guards are not called upon to play 7' centers because of the mismatch. The 6' guard can be a superstar, but not if used improperly by the coach. The autoformer, in many cases, can illiminate the mismatch. I believe the ZERO autoformers should be viewed as a tool to acheiving superior sound in many systems, not just OTL tube amps. According to other users, autoformers are providing benefits in transformer coupled tube amps as well as Solid State amplifiers. There are many testimonials regarding user experiences with autoformers at the ZERO website. Hopefully this post has cleared up some misconceptions.
ivanj on Done For Now