Sensitivity 86 v 90
I am considering an upgrade from speakers with a sensitivity rating of 90 db, 4 ohms, to larger speakers rated at 86db, 8 ohms nominal. Same brand, PMC. My tube integrated amp is 80-112 watts triode/ultralinear, and it’s fine for my 90 db speakers. Although, it is sometimes at around 4 o’clock on the volume control, approaching the max at 6. I am aware of the “amp power must double for each 3db increase in volume” rule of thumb, but really have no practical experience with this. I do like having 90 db efficiency, always assumed that meant a less powerful amp would suffice.
My question is, would the decreased efficiency be a concern?
Thanks for the explanations! My integrated amp (Rogers EHF 200 Mk 2) has 40 db of gain. The volume control is turned up much less with signal from the dac, than while using the phono preamp, which I presume means the dac has higher output; but (as I understand it) the gain from the phono preamp can be increased by switching the driver 12AU7 tubes for 12AX7's, if necessary. Which, maybe I should do anyway, as @Soix and @tomcarr imply. |
@lloydc Wrote:
That is a nice amp, you have plenty of gain. What phono preamp do you have? Mike
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Yes it is a issue if you are pushing the volume now ,then you will be running the amplifier into its highest distortion which can damage yours speakers as well as your amp, find a speaker around 90 db there are plenty of them out there Even if you have to wait and save more Monies , we’ll worth the wait or get rid of the amp and get a bigger one. |
