2. amps-preamps
  3. 155352-139155

Extra power or cleaner power?

I'm putting a system together and am thinking through some of the factors which might contribute to the overall sound quality. I realize that testing things out as I go is the best way, so I'm asking this question not to get advice about what to do next but to understand how folks understand and weigh these factors.

Let's start with a predicted factor -- the speakers. From the speaker description:

Anticipated speakers: Salk SS 6M
Response +/- 3db — 35Hz - 40kHz
Sensitivity — 90 db
Impedance — 8 ohms
Amplification — 50 watts (or 30wpc, tube amp)
Alignment — Front slot port
Dimensions — 9 W x 20 H x 14 D

Some (atma-sphere, decooney) have suggested on this forum that even a 60 wpc tube would be great for these speakers. So, here's my question —

Assume that I could get a very good 40 wpc tube amp to drive these speakers to sufficient listening levels (85 db at about 10 feet), for my kind of music (jazz, classical), and peaks in my (400 sq ft) listening space.

With these assumptions, the question becomes one of priorities. I could either spend additional dollars to (a) buy a more powerful amp or (b) spend that money on a power regenerator. Also assume that if I do *not* buy a regenerator, I'd still do *something* to improve the power (some kind of improvement but much less expense).

The question is: with those assumptions, what do you think would add more to the sound quality? More power or cleaner power?

Perhaps this is an impossible theoretical question to answer. If so, I'd like to know that, too!

Thanks!
hilde45

Showing 1 response by bigkidz

bigkidz
3,444 posts
 
OK my two cents. First off, more power does not mean better sounding obviously. I recently got a hold of the Audioquest Niagara 1200 and heard the change in a friends system. It made a very nice improvement in clarity. details, dimension, layering and placement. He uses CJ tube mono blocks in his system.

My general experience is how quiet is the amplifier to begin with? When I repair most components, I install an AC filter choke to clean up the AC. That makes an immediate impact for cheap but very effective. The dedicated lines if you can do them for a reasonable cost makes some difference in my experience but the Niagara made more of an improvement to my ears but I have not done a direct comparison as the lines were installed years ago when I updated the electric in my home.

So more watts is not the answer but filtering the AC in my opinion can have a very nice effect. Borrow one and hear it in your system for yourself first as always.

Happy Listening.


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