2. amps-preamps
  3. 1399439075

25 watts Class A or 70 watts Class A/B ?

I understand these days there are many good examples of both Class A and Class A/B amps. To the point that a well designed Class A/B can beat a similar pedigree Class A amp. However my question is in particular related to these two amps:

1. First Watt F5 (Pass Labs)
2. Naim NAP 300

The speaker to be driven is a Tannoy dual concentric Turnberry SE. It is a 93 db sensitive 8 ohm load and in general considered to go well with both high powered and low powered amps.

F5 is a highly purist class A 25 watts design with a robust power supply. It is a push-pull design so it can generally drive difficult loads better than typical single ended first watt models (F3, F4 etc). I have heard the F5 on an Altec horn system and I loved its pure and direct sound.

Naim amps in general has always appealed to me, again because of their very direct presentation. Music has a certain excitement and bounce through them. The NAP 300 is one of their top models and I am sure it will be a very refined amp.

However I will only buy one. Both these amps must be having few fundamental differences in the way they present music considering they are coming from very different designers. Even the topology is different here.

The first question here is, can a 25 watts F5 drive the Tannoys well ? My room size is 200 sqft and I listen to music at reasonably medium to loud levels. I dont play very loud though. I listen to all kinds of music from Mozart to Metallica.

Qualitatively, sound per sound, how do these two amps compare ?
pani

Showing 8 responses by charles1dad

charles1dad's avatar
charles1dad
10,250 posts
 
Pani,
I would think the 25 watt First Watt amplifier is a very good match with your speakers.I doubt that you'd be disappointed given your listening preferences.
Charles,
charles1dad's avatar
charles1dad
10,250 posts
 
Pani,
As we both know, listening to all the choices is the only way to get a
definitive answer (easier said than done).Depending on the type of sound
you're after I can understand the 450 watt amplifier recommendation. From
your list the First Watt is the most appealing choice by a considerable
margin.Pure class A simple circuit design created by an audio icon. The
McIntosh and First Watt move in very different directions philosophically
and in execution. It seems they would attract quite different listeners and
cater to contrasting priorities.
Charles,
charles1dad's avatar
charles1dad
10,250 posts
 
Dan,
Are the older Tannoys an easier load than the current models in general or is your speaker an isolated case?
charles1dad's avatar
charles1dad
10,250 posts
 
Pani,
You have received some thoughtful replies with the inevitable varying opinions. I agree that speaker sensitivity isn't the only consideration, the load in ohms probably is more relevant. Pani my room is noticeably larger than yours and my speakers are 94 db and a 14 ohm load.

I have a 100 watt and a 40 watt push pull amplifiers class AB. Both of these fine amps have been in a 5 year hibernation since the arrival of my 8 watt 300b SET amplifier. It just sounds better and is superior overall (not close).It's very possible that the Tannoy may be more difficult to drive than my Coincident , I don't really know. It's also possible you may simply prefer the presentation of a high power amplifier (I believe that low power amps sound better with an appropriate speaker choice). Lower power may not be what you need to meet your specific goals.
Good Luck,
Charles,
charles1dad's avatar
charles1dad
10,250 posts
 
Pani,
Dan makes an excellent point.You say you love your Wavac to its core,
If that's true I'd keep this terrific SET and get more compatible speakers. Dan's Tannoys are apparently easier driven than your specific model. Tannoy models must vary in ease/difficulty of their speaker load.Option 2, sell the Wavac and get a higher power amplifier. If this were my dilemma, I'd keep the Wavac.
Charles,
charles1dad's avatar
charles1dad
10,250 posts
 
Pani,
As much as you like the Wavac it is apparent you admire/adore the Tannoys even more.This being the case, your amplifier search makes sense. You're right, a 14 ohm speaker load is ideal for my situation.The 8 watt SET provides effortless drive and ease of musical flow{same as Dan described with his system}.
Charles,
charles1dad's avatar
charles1dad
10,250 posts
 
Thanks Dan. I was curious because Tannoy Westminster owners often report very good results with their 300b SET amplifiers. The Westminster may be an easier load for these amps{I'm guessing}.
Charles,
charles1dad's avatar
charles1dad
10,250 posts
 
Pani,
The Ayon Crossfire from your description could be an ideal match with your Tannoy. I hope you're able to listen to it and the Atma-sphere OTL as well. I've heard the M 60 and MA-1 numerous times and they're very good amplifiers. I just personally prefer what a good SET uniquely offers. Horses for courses.Once you compare them, one or the other will move you more. It just depends on what type of sound you want.
Charles,
More to discover