I've seen battery powered dacs also preamps from audio-GD with regenerative power supplies. Front ends matter alot and cleaning up the digital chain is imperative before reaching the dac, if you're into digital. The emat+ in the circuit breaker box did wonders to clean up my power in combination with filtering.
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
@tablejockey , haha - you have a roll away too! I get to watch movies and game with my 65" oled between my speakers 6 feet away and a Marantz receiver for surround sound. Then I push the tv back to the front wall 13ft away for 2 channel. Switching speaker cables to my tube integrated and moving the tv happens once a week or so and is a minor hassle, but fully utilizing my speaker and tv investment is great. I can still see the tv well enough in 2 channel mode to use as a monitor while listening to Roon/Tidal and surfing the web. Overhead projectors are either way to expensive or don't have the color saturation |
Room acoustics from GIK would be my first priority. After that, here's my thinking on power : https://inatinear.blogspot.com/2019/04/power-management-for-frugal-audiophiles.html |
+1 almarg, lak. Many, myself included use power conditioning for source and digital components only. Have the amplifier plugged directly into the outlet. Conditioning can be simple filtering and/or DC offset blocking. Most likely power reconditioning will not be needed. My approach is (was) to purchase the desired components 1st, then cables, dedicated lines, hospital grade outlets, aftermarket power cords of correct gauge, then conditioning. |
+ Al and Mesch much can be done at the panel and outlet and relatively inexpensive conditioner for small signal devices. Imo power amps rarely sound better in an affordable PC. on power amps, but the best output transformer you can afford - that will greatly impact the sound quality. Try running it on the 4 even 2 ohm taps ( light loading re Roger Modjeski rip) which will keep amp in class A longer. of course you might also see if one of Ralph’s transformersless amps will work. have fun enjoy the music |
- 51 posts total