Myth: low-power high-efficiency


The past 6 - 8 months I have been living with very efficient speakers (~ 109dB/m/w) driven by low-power SET amps. The amps use 300B output tubes for about 7 wpc. On paper, this should be a match made in heaven. In fact, the combination is capable of wonderful nuance, subtley, harmonic richness, and tonality. It is really pleasing, especially on chamber and jazz music. Except for one thing - dynamic energy. I am not referring to loudness. It can deliver more undistorted volume than I care to listen to. I'm referring to immediacy, presence, power, and punch - the life of the music. If you go to the symphony, or live blues, than you know what I am talking about. Next week I'm taking delivery of a 90wpc PP amp, to audition in place of the SET. I need an amp that can maintain the purity of tone and harmonic texture of the SET, while delivering more power, to grab hold and take control the 15" bass driver in my horns.

I searched the archives, but have not found a similar post. Are there any other high-efficiency low-power people who moved to a higher power amp? Are you satisfied now?

Scott
skushino
As someone stated earlier, it may depend on the tube. Try out an 845 tube. Talk about presence, immediacy, punch, life, etc. My Art Audio Carissa Signature is leagues above my prior Conrad Johnson and Cary monoblocks pp's in this regard, and this is with lower efficiency (88db) speakers!
Aside from its enveloping, holographic nature, this tube in certain amps will drive quite well, and give you considerably deeper and punchier bass than will the 2A3, especially when the amp is SS rectified.

Howard (Boa2), sounds like I got to try a pair of Welborne 300b amps someday :). Of course this is just your fault: You could have sent me the Welborne pair you tried a couple of months ago ;). Actually, why don't you just sent all your equipment north of the border, I always wanted to listen to a pair of KHorns driven by Wrights or a Mac.

Anyway, fun aside, maybe sometime down the line I will be able to listen to some 300b amps. Actually, I already found some Audiophiles here; I just need to convince them to bring over their amp for some extended listening sessions...

Otherwise, I am curious to see how the "switch" to the Mac amp works out for Scott (Skushino).

Best wishes,

Rene