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
jjss49's avatar
jjss49
6,612 posts
 
@robal
The VAC preamp has a lot of gain (almost too much), which is why I can’t go past 9-10 o’clock on most recordings.

don’t conflate preamp output voltage with receiving power amplifier power/capability

frequent noob mistake... often with unfortunate consequences

just because the gas pedal in car a is more sensitive than car b doesn’t make it more powerful
unsound
7,395 posts
 
It is a fairly large space to fill, on the other hand you are not typically seeking high volume levels. Many amp designers suggest that amplifiers are typically at their most linear when operating at about 20% of their output and further suggest having about 80% headroom above that. Ideally you could try it out with a return option.
fiesta75
1,382 posts
 
If you won't exceed 100dB, then 100watts/channel is plenty. Appears you are below 80dB@14 feet. +1 kijanki.
yage
401 posts
 
You can also plug in your numbers into this calculator (Amplifier Power Required):

https://www.crownaudio.com/en/tools/calculators

It would be more accurate if you have an SPL meter but I reckon that most people self-select volume at around 71-74 dB continuous. This is what I call comfortably loud. If you listen at 71 dB, the amp wouldn’t even leave its continuous power range until a peak greater than 24 dB. That level of dynamics would cover large symphonic works, so the amp would be good for basically all music.
bigkidz
3,451 posts
 
Wattage has noting to do with driving a speaker.
More to discover