Better power always IMO.
Extra power or cleaner power?
I'm putting a system together and am thinking through some of the factors which might contribute to the overall sound quality. I realize that testing things out as I go is the best way, so I'm asking this question not to get advice about what to do next but to understand how folks understand and weigh these factors.
Let's start with a predicted factor -- the speakers. From the speaker description:
Anticipated speakers: Salk SS 6M
Response +/- 3db — 35Hz - 40kHz
Sensitivity — 90 db
Impedance — 8 ohms
Amplification — 50 watts (or 30wpc, tube amp)
Alignment — Front slot port
Dimensions — 9 W x 20 H x 14 D
Some (atma-sphere, decooney) have suggested on this forum that even a 60 wpc tube would be great for these speakers. So, here's my question —
Assume that I could get a very good 40 wpc tube amp to drive these speakers to sufficient listening levels (85 db at about 10 feet), for my kind of music (jazz, classical), and peaks in my (400 sq ft) listening space.
With these assumptions, the question becomes one of priorities. I could either spend additional dollars to (a) buy a more powerful amp or (b) spend that money on a power regenerator. Also assume that if I do *not* buy a regenerator, I'd still do *something* to improve the power (some kind of improvement but much less expense).
The question is: with those assumptions, what do you think would add more to the sound quality? More power or cleaner power?
Perhaps this is an impossible theoretical question to answer. If so, I'd like to know that, too!
Thanks!
Let's start with a predicted factor -- the speakers. From the speaker description:
Anticipated speakers: Salk SS 6M
Response +/- 3db — 35Hz - 40kHz
Sensitivity — 90 db
Impedance — 8 ohms
Amplification — 50 watts (or 30wpc, tube amp)
Alignment — Front slot port
Dimensions — 9 W x 20 H x 14 D
Some (atma-sphere, decooney) have suggested on this forum that even a 60 wpc tube would be great for these speakers. So, here's my question —
Assume that I could get a very good 40 wpc tube amp to drive these speakers to sufficient listening levels (85 db at about 10 feet), for my kind of music (jazz, classical), and peaks in my (400 sq ft) listening space.
With these assumptions, the question becomes one of priorities. I could either spend additional dollars to (a) buy a more powerful amp or (b) spend that money on a power regenerator. Also assume that if I do *not* buy a regenerator, I'd still do *something* to improve the power (some kind of improvement but much less expense).
The question is: with those assumptions, what do you think would add more to the sound quality? More power or cleaner power?
Perhaps this is an impossible theoretical question to answer. If so, I'd like to know that, too!
Thanks!
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- 51 posts total
My perception has been that experiences with power regenerators that have been reported over the years have been mixed. They have provided significant benefits for some, but others have found that they seem to compromise dynamics, or have other adverse side-effects. Personally I don't use a power regenerator, as I believe that the power quality at my location is better than at many others. (My town is zoned almost entirely two-acre residential, with the nearest commerce or industry being more than two miles away). Perhaps a similar consideration applies to your location. @lak has offered good advice about a low cost approach to improving power delivery to the system within the home. Regarding amplifier power, keep in mind that the difference between even 100 watts and 40 watts is only 4 db. So to the extent possible I would focus on amplifier quality rather than power capability, within that range. Best regards, -- Al |
@almarg @lak Thank you for your advice. I have heard about mixed results regarding power *conditioners* but not about *regenerators.* This is new to me, and flies against what Paul McGowan has been saying in numerous videos. (I realize he sells regenerators, but I still find him credible.) As for the other lower cost solutions, I'm taking notes! |
Audio as a hobby is wacky. Naturally, we want to reference specs to ensure getting max performance. At the same time, there are so many instances of what comes out of the speaker, your ear likes it, but it's "wrong" based on tech specs. Anecdotal experience and "pro" reviews support this. That being said, I use a tube amp,turntable, tube phono amp, FM tube tuner, all thru an outdated, PS Audio Power Plant(GASP!) without negative, audible performance. Ancient, but I got it cheap here, 4 years ago. No problems. https://www.stereophile.com/powerlineaccessories/ps_audio_power_plant_premier_ac_regenerator/index.h... I believe PS Audio no longer supports these, so I will just buy a used P5 if it succumbs to the corona virus. On movie nights, I have the Plasma on a roll away that I put between the speakers, and the Power Plant doesn't appear to mind. Beautiful picture. YMMV as always. |
- 51 posts total