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In Reply to: RE: Can I get by with 2 watts? posted by catbert242000@yahoo.com on December 09, 2021 at 12:43:14
You do realize that the position of the volume control has absolutely nothing to do with the maximum power output of your amp? It is the same as the speedometer on a car---I can put a speedometer with 240 mph scale on a VW beetle but that doesn't mean the car can go that fast.
The volume control attenuates the input signal level to give the listening level you want. It's actual position depends on the signal output of your input source, the gain in the your amplifier and the sensitivity of your speakers. Here's an example. In my system, the phono preamp has a much lower output level than my DAC. I have the volume control up about halfway (1:00) when I listen to phono but it's close to the bottom (7:00) when I listen to a CD. That difference is just due to the different output levels of my sources.
As for your actual question, I haven't found low power amps to be able to drive speakers with 97db sensitivity at least not with all music. In my case, I have some 46 SE amps that sound much more powerful than their actual 1.25 watts output, but they don't have enough LF control with my 99db speakers and they run out of gas when I want to listen to large scale dynamic music. It's not that they sound bad, it's just that they don't get any louder after a certain point and transients become soft. For that reason I use my more powerful push-pull amps almost exclusively. My main amps use PP 6L6G outputs and they only have about 8 watts but they are very dynamic and I never have the sense they are running out of steam. I also have some 50 watt PP KT-120 amps but they do not have any more control and they are not more dynamic than the 6L6G amps.
It's difficult to generalize about how much power is needed for a given speaker. Different amps can sound more powerful or less powerful than their rated power suggests, and of course different people listen to different types of music and at different volumes.
Follow Ups:
In the context of this discussion, the most important characteristic of any speaker used with a low-power, full-range amp is acoustic efficiency below 50 Hz. That's the portion of the spectrum most likely to cause clipping when the electronics runs out of steam. It's also an area where most speakers begin to roll off and where room reinforcement becomes more necessary. My current amp outputs about 3W per channel, but volume levels in my living room are more than adequate with most types of music. Bass is extended, and it can really pound the listener at frequencies so low, they can't actually be heard.The trick to this (and I admit to achieving it accidentally) was the use of a large, rigid ported enclosure mated to a high efficiency, short-throw woofer with an Fs well under 30 Hz. In addition, I placed the tuned ports near the floor at the rear of the cabinets, and this energy, which extends to the low 20s, couples to the room in a way I have seldom experienced.
My point is that it can be done - and without the expense of esoteric bass horns - but everything has to be synergistic and capable of contributing to this result. If you can accomplish this, a few watts will go a long way.
--------------------------
Buy Chinese. Bury freedom.
Edits: 12/12/21
TK,
Will you tell us more about your speakers? What drivers? Cabinet volume?
Also love the post from Paul above re "about 3 watts"... (all my amps are about 3 watts!)
My Altec's are built with 416A woofers and a 811B horn w 801 driver - 8 ohm. The cabinets are custom boxes, similar to original Valencias, but larger with ports on the front. Volume for each speaker is about 10.13 cubic ft.
Cross overs built to 800hz. The horns w the 801 drivers are original. I have considered upgrading the drivers, but the sound is really very good with the current equipment.
Your Altec's sound very nice! I personally believe you will be happy with 2 watts.
It helps to have a higher power rig for those times when 2 watts isn't enough - but I do believe you'll enjoy the Altec's at that power level. Certainly you've got the right cabinet size for the driver.
Well, for the time being, I will stick with my current rig. I am always looking for my next amp, but for now The 6.5 watts is fine for general use. If I need more horsepower, the SS Harmon/Kardon is 110.
A LOT of space between 6.5 and 110 watts!
If you want to stay with tubes?
Modern takes on classics like the Dynaco Stereo 70 can be had in 35x2 or 60x2 with a wide selection of output tubes. Even available as KITS! How Retro!
Too much is never enough
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