Daverz, thanks very helpful....by sensitivity, you mean input sensitvity of the amp, right?
stupid question about sources, amps, and loudness
Okay, so I really should know this, but I don't, so your help is most appreciated.
My speakers are a fairly tough load to drive 86db efficient, 6 Ohms nominal.
That suggests that I need reasonably powerful amplifier(s). Currently I use solid state amps rated at 100 WPC.
The amps are Kharma MP150s. They drive the speakers quite loud, although they do start to "flatten out" at 95 db (which is much louder than I typically listen, even when I've turned it up).
I have some issues with not having enough range of volume control either with a pre-amp or with a CPD with a volume control -- that is to say, if I turn the volume control much past 10 or 11 it is too loud.
I know that I can use attenuators to fix the volume control problem, but that they also can have sonic consequences.
Here's the question: less powerful amps are NOT the answer right? It's input sensitivity. Right?
So, if for example, I am thinking of trying tube amps, I still need to be mindful of the difficult to drive speakers and thus need to get some pretty beefy tube amps (i.e., 100 WPC+). Because less powerful tube amps won't have enough current to drive the speakers effectively.
BUT: I would want amps with a lower input sensitivity?
Do I have this right?
Thanks for clearing the cobwebs for me.
--dan
My speakers are a fairly tough load to drive 86db efficient, 6 Ohms nominal.
That suggests that I need reasonably powerful amplifier(s). Currently I use solid state amps rated at 100 WPC.
The amps are Kharma MP150s. They drive the speakers quite loud, although they do start to "flatten out" at 95 db (which is much louder than I typically listen, even when I've turned it up).
I have some issues with not having enough range of volume control either with a pre-amp or with a CPD with a volume control -- that is to say, if I turn the volume control much past 10 or 11 it is too loud.
I know that I can use attenuators to fix the volume control problem, but that they also can have sonic consequences.
Here's the question: less powerful amps are NOT the answer right? It's input sensitivity. Right?
So, if for example, I am thinking of trying tube amps, I still need to be mindful of the difficult to drive speakers and thus need to get some pretty beefy tube amps (i.e., 100 WPC+). Because less powerful tube amps won't have enough current to drive the speakers effectively.
BUT: I would want amps with a lower input sensitivity?
Do I have this right?
Thanks for clearing the cobwebs for me.
--dan
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- 18 posts total
- 18 posts total