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Are my Virgos efficient enough?

I'm expecting delivery later in the week of a pair of KR Audio VT 6000 monoblock amps. They output 20wpc in Class A with the special KR Audio 300 bxl tubes. I'm wondering will this be anough power to drive my Audio Physic Virgo IIs? I believe they are relatively sensitive at 89db, but they also operate at 4ohm load, so not sure if that will make a difference. Anyway, I'm wondering if I should seek out more efficient speakers to get better results, or if the Virgos will do the amps justice. Right now I drive the speakers with Blue Circle BC2 monos to great effect (75wpc in Class A), and Supratek Syrah. I would be looking at speakers in the same price bracket (used) as the Virgos. Over time though, I would be tempted by the JM Lab Mezzo Utopia or GR-Research Line Source (again, assuming my amps could drive them). Thanks in advance for advice. Cheers,
John.
outlier
outlier's avatar
outlier OP
381 posts
 
Thanks guys for the input - all interesting stuff. I'm probably a little weary of moving to horns, if the bass will suffer, especially because I'll be using the amps to watch movies as well as listen to music (I know they're not ideal amps for HT, but I guess my love of tubes for music outweighs any leaning to SS for the 'omph' that would be welcome in HT). Would something like the JM Labs Mezzo Utopia mate well - they appear to be sensitive, and I suspect they would be an upgrade from the Virgos. Cheers,
John.
gregm
3,415 posts
 
Outlier --
The Mezzo may be ~twice as sensitive as the Virgo, but they are still go down below 4ohms -- not a benign load for your triodes.
I believe you'll find that your amps are very well suited to driving the upper part (mid-highs) of a BI-AMPED speaker system -- with superlative results. So, I suggest you hold onto yr present speakers & enjoy the music (even if you can't bring the house down) & experiment with VERY sensitive, x-overless or minimum x-over, 8+ohm speaker designs.

BTW, HT + horns: don't completely discount this idea. One such set-up I have often listened to/watched a film, is nothing short of exquisite. The SET driving the front speakers is only a ~8Watt 300B -- by comparison, your KR will bring the house down, withOUT clipping!
An ss drives the range below 120Hz (two subwoofs).
bemopti123
303 posts
 
I forgot, I have a powered subwoofer with a 850 watts class D amp driving the low end, so now, there is SET and slam when needed. I have also watched quite a few movies in this set up and how Gregm said, there is an intangible something about low power or SET power for that matter in any sound material that you may want.

PS: Just wished my TV was larger and better than what it is now...19" RCA...but, sound takes precedence to everything else.
outlier's avatar
outlier OP
381 posts
 
Thanks for all the extra input. Well, I just got delivery of the KR Audio monos, and holy $%*#, they are good :-) They seem to work just fine with the Virgos, so my itch to upgrade the speakers is abated for now. the thought of some subs & SS amps for low end sounds intersting, but I've never had a good experience with subs. I bought a used REL Strata II to go with my virgos before, but found the additional bass imposing and a little disengaged from the Virgos, even though the RELs are supposed to integrate better than anything else really. Anyway, I guess I'll investigate later, but I'm all SET for now (no pun intended :-)
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