Matching a amplifier to speakers

Frankly very few people understand how to match amps and speakers. Most of the components these days get along pretty well.

Just make sure you’re speaker sensitivity makes sense when you buy amplifiers.  Highly sensitive speakers don’t need as much amp power rapidly ( can consider a low power tube amplifier which I think is something I wish I would’ve done earlier).  Also, Crossover design impacts Power usage within the speaker that’s a whole Nother issue.

Seek advice of the dealers selling the products and get their thoughts on how components match with each other. They have experience using the components and that’s the best source of info.

squared80

178 posts

04-27-2025 at 09:35am 

There is no such thing as ’matching’ amps and speakers. All you need to worry about is power handling, since all amps are literally going to sound the same (save for tube amps).

They sound different to me,and I guess I'am the only one that it will really matters too,

thanks

emergingsoul

1,246 posts

04-27-2025 at 11:37am 

Frankly very few people understand how to match amps and speakers. Most of the components these days get along pretty well.

Just make sure you’re speaker sensitivity makes sense when you buy amplifiers.  Highly sensitive speakers don’t need as much amp power rapidly ( can consider a low power tube amplifier which I think is something I wish I would’ve done earlier).  Also, Crossover design impacts Power usage within the speaker that’s a whole Nother issue.

Seek advice of the dealers selling the products and get their thoughts on how components match with each other. They have experience using the components and that’s the best source of info.

I thought I was doing that,but I was not aware of the impedance mismatch between some tube pre-amps and most solid state amps.

I new the speakers I was buying liked high currant and a lot of power,and I thought I would have no problem getting a amp to deliver that a reasonable (under 5000$) cost.

I’am sure I will find something that will fit the bill.

thanks

@mike4597 Plus one ... Klaus is amazing.  I have the Kismet Amp and it's never leaving the house ... do yourself a favor and check this guy out!!

https://odysseyaudio.com/

blackbag20

545 posts

04-28-2025 at 05:32am 

@mike4597 Plus one ... Klaus is amazing.  I have the Kismet Amp and it's never leaving the house ... do yourself a favor and check this guy out!!

https://odysseyaudio.com/

They look nice ,and very reasonably priced,but I need a input impedance of around 100k to work with my Mcintoch mx110.

Thanks.

I have found 2 amps I like,but both are older.

They both have the input impedance I need to get the best results from my Mcintosh mx110,(at least I think so).100k

First one is a Conrad Johnson 350sa -input impedance 100k

the second is a Audio Research 150m-input impedance 100k

I going to call around to make sure these can be repaired still if needed .

Would anybody not buy these because of their age?

My thinking is because they are solid state,they would be easier to maintain. 

The only other amp I have found so far that has a impedance close to what I need  is the Parasound Halo 21+

It;s impedance is 84k,close to the 100k Mcintosh recommends.

Thanks

Update.

Upon talking to several audio shops,they tell me the 40k impedance of my preamp would work fine just about any amplifier,as long as I wasn't running speaker cables over 10 ft.

Sound right?

84kohm+ amp input impedance should work well with most any pre-amp.

I’ve owned Dynaudio speakers and like them very much.  Yes in general they will sound best with an amp capable of delivering more power and current.   Sounds like tube amps have been correctly ruled out for this case so I think you are on the right track. 

@twangy57 Wrote:

The only other amp I have found so far that has a impedance close to what I need  is the Parasound Halo 21+

Parasound Halo 21+ Input Impedance (SE): 33 kΩ see specifications below: 

’’Specifications

Power Output (8, 4, 1 Ohm): 300 W, 500 W, 1,000 W

Inputs: Stereo RCA, stereo XLR, DC trigger

Input Impedance (Bal., SE): 66 kΩ, 33 kΩ

Gain: 29 dB

Dimensions (WHD): 17-5/8" x 7-1/8" x 20"

Weight: 71 lb.’’

Mike

Amplifier input impedance should be at least 10x (I have had good luck with at least 20x) the output impedance of your preamp or source (whatever is driving the amplifier).  To determine power requirements, you can play with the this (linked) calculator as a starting point.

ditusa

1,973 posts

04-28-2025 at 12:09pm 

@twangy57 Wrote:

The only other amp I have found so far that has a impedance close to what I need  is the Parasound Halo 21+

Parasound Halo 21+ Input Impedance (SE): 33 kΩ see specifications below: 

That's strange I could of swore it was 100k bal and 84 un bal.

I must have been thinking of another amp.

Thanks

Does anyone have a Rogue amp with KT=120's

I'am looking at a pair of M-180 mono-blocks with 180 watt's per side.

Do these tubes have a decent lifespan?

Are they  readily available at a affordable cost?

I also Imagine with 8 power tubes these amps will put out some heat.

Thanks

Four output KTs are driven pretty hard to produce 180W of power, thus lifespan will not be great, likely below 2000h. 

Musical Fidelity pair well with Dynaudio.

I agree with that. 

Another good option would be Norma. https://tmraudio.com/components/power-amplifiers/norma-audio-revo-pa-150-stereo-power-amplifier-1/
That specific unit looks like an excellent deal. 

@twangy57, hello, and I hope you are well, as you seem to be. A few questions...Have you had your MX110 overhauled, or is it stock? Have you used the Adcom amp with the new speakers, and what do you think? What sq characteristics are you looking for with an amp, as what has been recommended to you so far has been all over the place, and I am not trying to sound negative. People will generally recommend what they own, or like, which is fine. What I would also like to ask, what is your room like, acoustically, and what wall are the speakers set up on, the short wall or the long wall? In the meantime, if you changed the power cord on your Adcom amp (have a technician do it, if you never have) to a 12 or 10 gauge cable, your Adcom amp will become a new amp, for the better.....I promise you this. I have my own ideas on power amplifiers...tubes vs ss, and brands / models (been around the block with this for a very long time). Take your time selecting a power amp. Keep in mind, this. The same exact system, down to the cables, will present differently to every listener, and this same system will sound different from one room to another. Something to think about. My best, MrD.

westcoastaudiophile

470 posts

04-29-2025 at 02:10pm 

Four output KTs are driven pretty hard to produce 180W of power, thus lifespan will not be great, likely below 2000h. 

I guess it all depends on one's listing habits .

I don't think I listen more than 10 hr's per week,so 2000 would be approx 4 years for me.

Thanks

displayname

160 posts

04-29-2025 at 02:32pm 

Musical Fidelity pair well with Dynaudio.

I agree with that. 

Another good option would be Norma. https://tmraudio.com/components/power-amplifiers/norma-audio-revo-pa-150-stereo-power-amplifier-1/
That specific unit looks like an excellent deal. 

I looked at the specs and it appears to have a input impedance of 47k.

I'am trying to find a amp with a input impedance near 100k,to work with my mx110 preamp/tuner, as recommended by Mcintosh.

thanks