Best SS amp for Zu Druid Mk IV speakers


Down-sizing and want low cost Solid State option that I can leave on all the time - I know its sad
128x128saffy
Warrenh, FWIW, ZU has made a 30 ohm version of the Definition (and your set can be easily modified). It works great with our S-30 and the power is nearly unlimited as the S-30 will make nearly 50 watts into that impedance. ZU knows this- they built the 30 ohm Definition for the S-30 as they had one on hand for years. This amount of power will get you on target.

I know a lot of people think its crazy to run power levels like that on a speaker of that efficiency, but IME you have to if you want to reach life-like levels that real live music often plays at. A typical orchestra can easily hit peaks of 115-120 db. You can't do that without power and without efficient speakers. The key is make sure the system does not produce excess loudness cues, else it will be too harsh to run at volumes like that!

The loudness cues I am referring to are odd-ordered harmonics, and at vanishingly low levels, but our ears can detect very slight amounts (100ths of a percent) with ease since the presence of odd orders is how the ear detects volume. Most transistors will generate too much odd-ordered content to be usable on a speaker this efficient- you really do have to use tubes, preferably triodes for linearity since you can't run any feedback either. This is BTW exactly the sort of thing we built the S-30 for :)
Saffy it's the nature of the 'gon beast. I am sorry though, but I couldn't resist. I'll try to STFU. That wasn't, however, one of my New Year's resolutions...lol..
Atmashpere, are you saying that my Bel Canto SET 40 (35wpc) will give me more dB than 116 with a 30 ohn version? Sending my Defs round trip to Utah, and the cost to modify the Defs to 30 ohm, may not be worth it. I don't have a clue how expensive that conversion would be. Thanks so much for the info, though. It would be a tease if I got 119dB. 122? --- a sure thing.
Maybe you would email me on this so I don't clog up saffy's thread with my stuff? thanks
The Definition is rewired by putting the drivers in series rather than parallel. It should not be all that expensive. Your Bel Canto will have an easier time with the high impedance- it should sound better with more extension- low impedances are not easy for tubes or transistors- they both sound better driving high impedances.

So this is a very good argument for the First Watt as well, which IMO is almost the only game in town if you want transistors for this speaker, or any other high efficiency speaker for that matter.
Im using a Nuforce IA-7 with my Druids, and am very happy with the results. THe Nuforce hasd great control over the bass.
Atmashphere, what about the dB level? Figure my Definitions are putting out 116db, now. Will I get a higher spl? Thanks again.