2. amps-preamps
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help w/amp demo

On Friday, Sounds Real Audio of Golden, Colorado will be coming to my home to demo its Dehavilland 50a 40w tube amp w/my Aerial Model 9 speakers (full range, 90db sensitive, 4ohm). Given how good the 50a sounded at RMAF, I am very excited.

Nonetheless, while the 50a is designed to drive a bigger load than its specs would suggest, I am a little skeptical that it will be a good match w/the 9s (although I am hopeful). Thus, I have been doing a lot of reading on how to determine whether an amp is a good match w/a speaker and has enough power. In general, I think I have a handle on it.

One thing I don't understand is mention of a speaker making the amp "work too hard" as opposed to drving it w/"ease". I only understand that in the most general sense. My question is, how will I be able to tell if the amp is having to "work too hard" in driving my speakers? What should I look/listen for? Also, more generally, if people have ideas for how to decide if the amp is a good mate, I would love to hear them.

Thanks much.
shredder

Showing 7 responses by shredder

shredder's avatar
shredder OP
113 posts
 
Thanks Tvad. I think my current power is a good match-Classe CAM 350- I am just interested in the richer sound a good tube amp can provide (at RMAF, I always gravitate to the tube gear). A friend of mine will attend the demo as well, but he is no more experienced in this area than I am.

How can I determine if the amp is being strained? Or, should I just listen for bass and dynamics?

Thanks.
shredder's avatar
shredder OP
113 posts
 
Thanks a lot everyone. Very helpful.

BTW, I listen to a wide variety of music from Rock to Jazz to Funk to World. But, no classical. I get the impression that the dynamic limitations of a less powerful amp may be less of an issue for non-classical music, which is less dynamic?
shredder's avatar
shredder OP
113 posts
 
Oh, and I just looked at the Speltz autoformer (I use his anti-cables and ics and think very highly of them). Anyone have any experience using such a device?
shredder's avatar
shredder OP
113 posts
 
Thanks all, I will report back. And, yes, I agree, Jim Ridell at Sounds Real is great.
shredder's avatar
shredder OP
113 posts
 
BTW, I love Classe amps. The 350 is my second. I previously owned a CAP 150, which is a terrific integrated and a great value. I am not looking elsewhere because I don't think highly of Classe, I just want to explore a different direction and at least at audio shows, the tubes always float my boat.
shredder's avatar
shredder OP
113 posts
 
I spoke with both Aerial and Dehavilland. Both said, "maybe it will work, you should give it a listen". Kara at Dehavilland then hooked me up with Jim at Sounds Real for a demo.
shredder's avatar
shredder OP
113 posts
 
Thanks for all the input, really helped with my audition, which ended up lasting the entire weekend (Jim kindly let me keep the amps over the weekend.

Fot those interested, the combo was a much bigger success than I had expected. I will post a detailed review later in the week when I have more time.
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