2. amps-preamps
  3. 167736-7156

100 watts enough?

Hi all.  I'm contemplating purchasing a CH Precision A1 and I don't know if it will drive my speakers adequately.  I have EgglestonWorks Andra III speakers which are 88db efficient (impedance 8 ohms nominal, 6 ohms minimal).  I have a 30x20ft  room and I sit about 14ft from the speakers.  I live in a condo and have almost nothing between me and my neighbor so I don't ever crank up the volume.  I use a VAC Renaissance preamp that I almost never crank past 9 o'clock.  The Andra III is a speaker that likes lots of power to open up.  So what do you think?
robal
tom6897's avatar
tom6897
1,484 posts
 
IME, most systems (the preamp sounds best in the 12-3:00 o'clock range). Many systems will not open up at such low volumes. Maybe you should try a headphone set up. You have some great electronics that seem to be handcuffed by limiting there ability to bloom and breathe. I can't imagine not getting 75 to 88db+ on some of my favorite tracks.
noromance's avatar
noromance
9,736 posts
 
Stereophile lists them at 87dB and tested them with a Krell FPB 600 and VTL 750 monoblocks. Big amps. Considering you do not crank them, 100 watts might be okay. It's a lot of money to spend for a compromised—sorry, restricted—space where they may never get the chance to sing.
millercarbon's avatar
millercarbon
12,531 posts
 
I live in a condo and have almost nothing between me and my neighbor so I don't ever crank up the volume.

This is how you will get away with it. Those are some wonderful speakers. One of the very few I have heard that I really liked. Of course I never would consider them due to their extreme low sensitivity. But if you keep to low to moderate volume you should be fine. Better than fine. Been a long time since I heard them, and it was an earlier version than yours, but did they ever make a positive impression! Only other speakers ever came close were Avalon, don't recall which ones but they had the magic, like yours.

ebm
9,311 posts
 
Sounds great to me also look at Pass 350.8 plenty of power not overpriced like CH.CH is great as well its your move.
kijanki's avatar
kijanki
4,428 posts
 
88dB - 12dB (4m distance) +3dB (room reflections) +3dB (two speakers) = 82dB@1W = 92dB@10W = 102dB@100W 
More to discover