2. amps-preamps
  3. 182085-124012

Vintage amplifier specifications

I've noticed when I read vintage amplifier specifications, and by vintage I mean 70's,80's maybe 90's, I do not see power output specified at 4 ohms. Did those older amplifiers not do well on 4 ohm speakers so leave that information out or was it not considered a a matter of interest to the buying public. Maybe something else?

128x12861falcon
61falcon's avatar
61falcon OP
111 posts
 

I should add that a lot of those old amplifiers, usually integrated had hookups for two sets of speakers which could really drop the total impedance. Maybe a lot of those old units had short lives or they could handle it without issue?

mastering92
870 posts
 

check hifiengine for those specs or audiodatabase for more detailed write-ups of the amplifier(s) in question. most of the time, vintage gear was rated in manuals at power output into 8 ohms / stereo.

fuzztone's avatar
fuzztone
5,598 posts
 

Back then most speakers were called 8 ohm so that is all that mattered.

No issue with 2 pairs of speakers for any that I ever owned.

More to discover