2. amps-preamps
  3. 123296-8622

Will Changing my 100 Watt Tube Amp to a 200 Watt SS Amp Solve My Problem?

Hello All,  I have a 100 watt Audio Research VT100 mk II amp, with an Audio Research LS-25 preamp.  My speakers are relatively low in sensitivity, and I find that I must turn the volume up to 3 o'clock on the preamp to get enough volume for a loud listening experience.  When I do that, I am introducing more background noise.

I would like to achieve a quieter noise floor.  I am also curious about the limits of the 100 wpc amp with the Mira Monitors.  Would an older Krell 200 watt class A amp "control" the speakers better?  If so, what are the benefits of this?  There are a few amps on this site that caught my eye, all about the same value as my amp, so I can potentially make a move with very little cost.  Is this a good idea? How much wattage increase is necessary to get a significant enough difference?  Would a jump to 150 watt solid state be sufficient?


here are the 3 amps that caught my eye:

Ayre: https://www.audiogon.com/listings/solid-state-ayre-acoustics-v-5xe-amplifier-2016-02-05-amplifiers-h...

Krell: https://www.audiogon.com/listings/solid-state-krell-ksa-250-2016-02-14-amplifiers-91754-monterey-par...

BAT:
https://www.audiogon.com/listings/solid-state-balanced-audio-technology-bat-vk-250se-bat-pak-2channe...



You can see my complete system here if you want to know more about the other components:  https://systems.audiogon.com/systems/5421



Thanks!
Mark
marktomaras
marktomaras OP
544 posts
 
Lak, the amp is plugged into a Shunyata Hydra Talos.

Onhwy61, I played with the gain on the phono stage, and ultimately dropped it a touch.  This amp idea is an extension of the same issue.  I was thinking that if the power amp had more muscle, perhaps the gain on the phono stage and preamp will be just fine.  Perhaps I am asking too much from the 2 preamps, and not enough of the power amp.  What do you think?
marktomaras OP
544 posts
 
Lak, more completely,  the amp is plugged into a Shunyata Hydra Talos, which is plugged into a dedicated outlet which has a dedicated circuit in the breaker, done when I remodeled the house and upgraded the electric service.

mikey8811
259 posts
 
They should give you better control of your speakers especially the Class A Krell, which is perhaps more of a high current design than the others.

All the amps you listed have different sonic signatures so best to try them out.
marktomaras OP
544 posts
 
Mikey8811, what does it mean exactly to have better control of the speakers? I have heard the term, but I do not fully understand the implications. 
rhljazz
1,250 posts
 

The answer is no related to your specific complaint.  The input sensitivity of your current amp is 1.9V required to drive at full power.  The Krell KSA 250 requires even more voltage at 2.3V for full output. 

One of my amps is a VAC Pa100 which only needs .775V for full output.  So, to address your complaint of needing to crank the volume control way up which may reveal the inherent noise of the preamp, you should look for an amp which requires less voltage to achieve full power.  Tube vs solid state has nothing to do with your complaint. 

However, tubes will always be happiest driving a speaker with higher impedance.  I am unaware of how your speakers perform regarding impedance.  

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