I think almarg is giving you some good advice. I have been using low-medium powered tube amps for 40 years, and if you want to get into tube amps, I would not say anything to discourage it, they can provide a very satisfying listening experience. My advice is not to get too hung up on speaker sensitivity. The key is to mate them with speakers that have a fairly benign impedance in the 6-10 ohm category. For instance, the original Pro Ac Reponse 2 had a sensitivity of only about 85 db, but they worked nicely with a 50-watt Audio Research tube amp that I had at the time, because the Pro Ac impedance was perfect for the amplifier. On the other hand, there are speakers out there rated at 91 db sensitivity, but the impedance is 4 ohms or less and would not mate well with most tube amps. I'm not sure about the impedance rating of your current speakers, but that would be the place to start.
What Sensitivity with Tube Components?
Hey,
I am interested in upgrading from 100 watt Solid State to Tube components. I've been told that my 89db (sensitivity) B&W speakers will not work all that well with tubes and that at best, speakers should have at least a 90-91db sensitivity to used with tubes.
Any comments or suggestions regarding this question? Thanks.
I am interested in upgrading from 100 watt Solid State to Tube components. I've been told that my 89db (sensitivity) B&W speakers will not work all that well with tubes and that at best, speakers should have at least a 90-91db sensitivity to used with tubes.
Any comments or suggestions regarding this question? Thanks.
- ...
- 26 posts total
- 26 posts total