2. speakers
  3. 1135803503

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
cdc
1,862 posts
 
The best option I can come up with is something like the new Jordan JXR6 HD 2" driver which goes to 80hz and useful bass into the 60's. Maybe put two drivers in each cabinet. This is good for vocals etc. Fostex is anothere option for higher efficiency.
Combine this with self powered 15" stereo woofers which kick in with dynamic bass heavy music.
jaybo
4,478 posts
 
for anyone who loves rock or classical music(orchestra), set's simply don't cut it with any loudspeaker. once the rock era began, they were obsolete. there is no denying they have a charming sound, but very limited appeal. except for a few audiophiles who love the most simple acoustic music, they are nothing more than a cash cow for manufacturers.
larry510
121 posts
 
No SETs were not made to listen to rock, if that's your thing get ss or pp tubes. But on jazz, chamber music, female or male vocal, they ROCK.

Larry
213cobra
885 posts
 
There's really no problem listening to rock or full-orchestra classical music on SETs if you have enough speaker efficiency and the impedance is reasonably consistent. A good SET amp using an 845 output tube on a 100+db/w/m speaker will rock as well as a push/pull, and have better definition too. And you can get good-rocking 300B amps in the upper price ranges. On the other hand, a 45 tube SET with just a couple of watts might rock better than one would think but there are better alternatives.

Phil
david12
1,454 posts
 
I agree, a fascinating thread and a subject I have been struggling with. I discussed the power issue with Kevin Scott here in the UK, he makes the well regarded Living Voice Speakers, a range built with tubes in mind and with about 94db sensitivity. I was contemplating the Welborne lab monoblocks and Kevin said, they would be great, but limited to small scale music, Jazz combos, solo singers. It is not simply a question of rock, large scale Classical and opera chorus's put similar demands on a systems abilty to cope with dynamic swings.
The conclusion, 7 watts good, 18 to 22 watts of SET power much better. I also concur with looking at 45/845 tubes rather than 300B's, for the frequency extremes. The problem of course, is that good 20watt SET's with adequate transformers, aint cheap. I was lucky to find an ex dem Viva Solista from the audio pimp on the Gon(strongly recommended by the way) for "only"! $3500 new its $9000. It is an 18watt 845 SET and I am pefectly happy, real drive and dynamics, even on compex congested passages. Unfortunately I had to go for a Lavardin IT integrated for warm weather use, equally wonderful, but quite different.
Those 2 amps will keep me happy for the forseeable future. The next temptation is the new range of high sensitivity compression horn speakers Tyler Acoustics is bringing out. When will it all end?
More to discover