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Speaker and Cable Suggestions Please

Greetings, some time ago (maybe over a year ago) I asked for some advice as to what tube integrated amp to buy. It was to be my first tube amp and I needed a lot of help. After a long search and much study, I decided on an ARC VSi75. Now I need your help again. I currently have a pair of Focal Aria 926. My listening room is small, 15'7" x 11'7" (4.75m x 3.5m).

I'm looking for a speaker for a near-field situation that extends into the upper mids and high frequencies. Since my amp puts out 75 watts of output, I need something with decent sensitivity, say at least 91db. I also need new speaker cables. I'm using circa 1980s Monster Cable now.

One more consideration, I have lost some hearing due to a neurological autoimmune condition. Yet, when I auditioned Paradigm Persona Bs recently through an ARC, I could here all the sound that I remember hearing when I was a teenager. The point being, I know that upper range I'm chasing is possible I just don't know if it's achievable on my budget. I have about $4,000 to spend on speakers and cables. I was thinking about DH Lab Q-10 for cables and the rest for speakers. What do you guys think? I don't mind buying used. Thank you.

diminishedchord
tvrgeek
299 posts
 

YES, speaker impedance varies with frequency. The "nominal impedance" is a pretty useless value.  Minimum impedance is more helpful, but that does not even really explain everything as phase issues can cause even bigger current draws around crossover points.   An example: 

The Truth About Speaker Impedance – Aperion Audio

Refer to your owners manual which terminals to use.   I would use the 4 Ohm tap for sure. 

2.9 Ohms minimum impedance is, well sorry, a terrible design.  You can get away with this on class D amplifiers OK, but is brutal on linear amplifiers and an absolute no-no on most AVRs. Not only due to current draw, but some amplifiers can become unstable and blow up.  On tube amps, it is more about distortion than damage. 

sidog1460's avatar
sidog1460
46 posts
 

Audio Research to me has always been a safe choice in amplification. I once owned a Vt-100 amp and never felt I was missing anything, even after upgrading to another amp still look back on it as a very good amp. Cable wise, Cerious Technologies Graphene Matrix are my bang for the buck cable. Great performance especially for the price. And, even though a bargain at the brand new pricing, usually a steal on the used market.

curiousjim's avatar
curiousjim
4,226 posts
 

Plus1 @ghdprentice 

There is need to rush into expensive speaker cables.

All the best.

diminishedchord OP
26 posts
 

Thank you all for your input. I learned some things from all you guys. For example, I had no idea that speaker impedance fluctuates, sometime drastically. I may give Fritz Heiler a call. His claim to fame is producing Tube-amp (SET amp) loving speakers with stable impedance. His speakers, however, are not the most sensitive. It will be one of the things I will ask him about once talk to him.

I will hold off on speaker cables for now and put the money towards better speakers. After careful consideration that seems like to most sensible course of action to take. If it wasn't for all of your contribution to my plight, I would have continued to chase my tail in my quest for better sound without even being aware of it. Again, Thank you all.

mesch
3,412 posts
 

I agree with those advising a focus on impedance over sensitivity. Much more important, especially considering a tube amplifier. Sensitivity becomes most  important in large rooms. Always important to match impedance to amplifier regardless of room size.

I own Fritz Carbon 7s with a PP tube amplifier using EL34 output tubes in triode mode to drive them in a 12 x 15 room having 8.5' ceilings.

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