Paul Klipsch was right - What the world needs is a good 5 watt amplifier


For those who are questioning whether a low power high quality amp would be able to properly drive any speakers I've recorded a short video demonstrating very high SPL level from a speakers with average sensitivity. The video is of very low audio and video quality as its recorded from my smartphone. However, the microphone used for measuring the sound pressure is MiniDSP UMIK-1 and the software used is REW (Room EQ Wizard). During the tests the amplifier didn't show any hint of stress of distortion

The speakers used in this video are Sonus Faber Olympica II and the integrated amplifier is Pass Labs INT-25. According to some third party reviews the Olympica's are thought load for the partnering amplifier as their sensitivity is averagely rated (88db) and the impedance curve drops down to 3 ohms in the bass region with a estimated EPDR (the point where the impedance curve is intersecting with the phase angle) of 1.6 ohms. The pass labs is rated at 25wpc @ 8omh and is said to be stable down to 1 ohm doubling its power at 4 and 2 ohms. According to the manual it can deliver 200wpc @ 1ohm before the protection circuit is activated. 

So, the point of the video is to show that the Pass with its poorly rated power (25wpc) can drive even demanding speakers to insanely loud levels without any sound degradation. 

  

 

celestial__sound

The Topping PA5 ($349) is more powerful than the Pass amp and has lower distortion. Why pay 10X the money for the Pass?  

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Jason, is that from real world A/B testing, or opinion? You get what you pay for. The Toppings does not get outstanding reviews, where the Pass Lbs stuff is legendary. I would love to save money on equipment rather than a name, if you have REAL proof of this, please tell.?

A good 5 watt amp is still a 5 watt amp. There are many systems where that will not be enough power. 

@Mr Bourne,
You honestly think the 300 buck Chinese amp sounds as good as a Pass Class A ? ? Not even close.