Moving away from inefficient/low impedance speaker in order to move to a Tube Amp

fjn04 OP

1,468 posts

11-23-2021 8:32pm

Mozartfan said: If you run a single FR, any tube amp will work just fine.

Could you tell me what FR means.

 

 

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Yeah well read realworldaudio posts above, What he is saying is that xover type speakers are under 90 db sens = lots of compression = the lower db you go the more IN-Efficient = more work on the amplifier = less fidelity = crappy sound.

I’ve completely moved away from xover types.

Even if Scanspeak and Seas did make a 90++ sens drivers and Troels put something together,, still we have the xover point to deal with.

= Double flawed.

Low sens + xover point = unmusical.

The sound is stressed/compressed/attacking/just plain noisey.

FR = Full range,, The DITers want to keep it FR, not *wide banders*

 

Here is a smaple of the performance of a higher sens FR speaker in action, 95db sens.

If you go SET, the magic can only come forth witha magical speaker.

SET’s require a high fidelity speaker.;

As realworldaudio noted

 

**A high sens FR/horn that has issues will be cleanly noted in a SET amp set up...** The higher the sens, the more will any weakness be noted in the speakers performance.

 

Resonances, fq spikes, shouts, muddyiness, bloatedness,, too forward a mid range at sacrifice of bass,,,,lets not forget beaming which some Tang band suffers from.

 

I did say just about any tube amp will work ok witha FR.

But the end results are not the same.

SET amps are great for low key recordings,, for big band jazz/blues,  large band.orchestra, PP wins the Cuban Cigar.

I attempt to explain some of these things in this video.

Horns work great with SETs for that massive soundstage for extra large rooms, For a more intimate listening exp for small/mid size rooms, FR work best

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4XTmQHjF0e4

 

 

Speakers are a very important component. I would put the sound of the speakers above all. It is pretty easy to evaluate speakers and just check to see they are not really inefficient. You want speakers you love the sound of, then tweak your electronics to get to most out of them. So, just stay away from planar and <87db or so. 

One of the greatest changes I made to my system was going from solid state amps to tubed. While I have less than half the power, no question my system sounds the best it ever has… although to be honest, while the wattage halved, the cost did double… so probably not surprising it sounds so much better. 
 

As an owner of Altecs you probably know that exquisite midrange is not a trait exclusive to Harbeth. Many speakers in that price range are equals or better than the C7s in that regard, so no good reason to limit your amp choice to those unless you’re absolutely smitten by them. I would personally want a speaker that has far greater dynamic range, i.e. one that can wake up at low volumes but also play loud without obvious compression. The C7s can do neither IME.

Definitely consider the Spatials if your space allows. The Seas A26 is good if you don’t mind a little DIY.