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Class A bias, speaker sensitivity, watts...?

Hello

Please help me understand the relationship between Class A bias and wattage output. I recently bought a used Vincent Audio SV236MK used for a great price. The specs state 150 watts into 8 ohms, 250 into 4 ohms, and the first 10 watts being Class A @ 8 ohms.

My speakers are Sonus Faber Lumina II which are rated as 4 Ohm with 86db sensitivity. Everything is set up in my small cube shaped office. I used a DB meter on my iPhone and found that when I turn the volume up to what I consider to be "loud" the peak measurement I get is 80db and under.

 

Given the specs above, am I hearing mostly/all Class A watts while listening?

craigvmn

Showing 1 response by vthokie83

vthokie83
978 posts
 

This is from a discussion regarding the CODA S5.5 (which I own and LOVE) which is 50 wpc Class A at 8 ohms, and amp is capable of delivering 100 amps. The explanation as to why it does not halve in class A as the ohms drop, has to do with the high current of the CODA amp?

I have no idea if that's the case. Several people have talked to Doug Dale the designer, and the answer each time has been 40 wpc to 37 wpc class A at 4 ohm.....of course much more in A/B.

"This illustration is for the S5.5. 

1) Class A, 8 ohms, up to 50 WPC;  above 50wpc into 8 ohms is AB; For lower impedances above 50 WPC --->Class AB, 4ohms up to 100WPC AB,  2ohms up to 200wpc AB. 

2) Class A, 4 ohms, up to 40wpc; above 40wpc into 4 ohms is AB

3) Class A, 2 ohms, up to 15wpc; above 15 WPC into 2 ohms is AB"; not recommended for under 2 ohms.

 

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