2. amps-preamps
  3. 173648-4741

30 to 50 watts seems to be all I desire

Weird, but in my small listening room (12x16) no matter the speakers used, to a T they all can be driven quite superbly with amps in the 30 to 50 watt range.  This includes the Maggie 1.7.

I had a few 200 watt amps in rotation but took them out for now because I never got past about 8:00 or at most 9:00 on the preamp, and oftentimes it was around the 7:30 mark.

So I personally don’t buy into the lower efficiency speakers needing gobs of power to sound good.  Caveat:  Listening to mainly Jazz at volumes less than 85db, normally.

Cheers, all.

 

audiodwebe

Showing 1 response by agwca

agwca
143 posts
 

I use a Keces E40.  Measured 34 watts/61 watts at 8/4 ohms when it reaches 0.7% distortion.  Company claims up to 15 amps/channel max output.

It's a little powerhouse that's on the warmer and smoother side but retains lots detail with really good separation and stage depth.  I also own a Hegel which I may sell as the Keces is really doing it for me.

Preferred it over other amps I tried from Emotiva, Musical Fidelity M2si and Rega Brio, among others. The Emotiva had a bit more extended highs but flabbier bass and sounded 2D to me.  The M2si was gritty to me, lacked refinement and sounded more like a PA amp.   The Brio is nice enough, but more expensive and I still like the Keces better.

So, lower power but still robust for an affordable price.  IMO.

 

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