2. amps-preamps
  3. 1021779894

newbie need help on decision on buying an amp

first of all ,this is my first post and want to say hello to all the audigoner.. now here is the question..i am planning to buy a tube amplifier(KR anteras) .this amp produce around 20W which is very low for my Vandersteen 3A,to listen to my normal volume level.i have to turn it up to 4/5 of the maximum level.the question is..if i have to crank up the volume level so high..would it run short on the life of the amp? over work the amp?another word.i dont know if this the the right way to run the amp?please give me some advice because i dont know whether if i should buy this amp or not?. my pre-amp is the krell 250P..thanks in advance....
ttrhp
thorty40
149 posts
 
If your budget will permit, I'd try the Berning ZH270. It will drive your speakers very well and has the some of the best sonics at any price. Your Vandersteen 3A's will literally sing like songbirds!!

Good Luck,
Chris
joe_b
421 posts
 
While I have never owned the 3's, I have owned 2 pairs of the model 2 speakers.
I did once drive them with a 30 watt tube amp, but this was in a small (12x15) room. When I moved them into a 12x26 room, the amp did not have enough power. Bass and highs were rolled off and when I push the amp too hard, the sound would distort and soundstage would collapse.
That said, the 3's need more power than the 2's. If you want tubes and they sound good with tubes, I suggest a pair of the Quicksilver Silver 90 monoblocks. You will have to hunt or wait for these to come up for sale, but you will see them from time to time.
unsound
7,318 posts
 
I agree with Philefreak. Manufacturers recommendations are a good start.
piezo
304 posts
 
i used a small 20-30 watt amp with a pair of Vandersteen 1-b's and it sounded pretty good at low volumes. Then one day i had it cranked...sounded great. Then the amp clipped and it sounded expensive. get a bigger amp
bob_bundus
1,834 posts
 
Also agree with Todd Philefreak: low power amps have caused an awful lot of blown tweeters - while going the other way (more than rated power) rarely results in problems when applied judiciously.
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