Minimum Power Needed to Drive Klipsch Cornwall IVs? - Considering Erhard_Audio Ray

Wow. Thanks for all the responses.

@skids - my experience with the Cronus has been great so I intend on sticking with tubes. That ARC75se looks sweet!

@tomic601 - First I’m hearing of Toolshed Amps - very cool stuff.

@mofojo - I like the Cronus with the Cornwalls. I would describe the sound as warm, but it is highly influenced by the center driver tube. Tube rolling has made the Cronus very fun to own. And as far as power goes, I like my music on the loud side and have never had the dial past 11 o’clock. I was considering sending it in to have it upgraded to the latest Dark version, but then started wondering what else my money could get me, if there was a more interesting pairing for the Cornwalls... I will likely keep the amp for my living room at home, that how much I like it. And, I’ve had a number of conversations with the guys at Rogue Audio. Their customer service is top notch.

@corelli - It’s nice to hear feedback from someone that has direct experience with the Ray. There isn’t a lot of info online about the amp. I’ve been in touch with Holger, who builds the amps in Montana, and he has been really nice to work with. I’m looking forward to giving him my business. I like your "color saturation" analogy!

@mlsstl - I just downloaded a db meter for my phone. It looks like my typical volume is between 65-85db at 20’ and between 70-90db at 3’. If I’m understanding you correctly it sounds like the 4W should be enough.

@atmasphere - Very interesting. If I decide to pass on the Ray I’ll likely go for Erhard-Audio’s Saturn, which is a 15W PP...

Ok. Lots of differing opinions here and I'm realizing that the only way to know for sure if the amp will work in my space, with my listening preferences, is to try it.  I'm willing to take the risk.  I'm putting together a stereo system in my living room at home which is considerably smaller so in the event it doesn't cut it in my studio I'll use it there.

The most extensive review of a flea watt amp with Cornwalls I came across in a Steve Guttenberg video reviewing the combination of Cornwalls with a 2wpc Decware amp.  He raves about the combination...

I will report back with my findings once I receive the amp in a couple months.

Thanks for all the feedback!

@atmasphere I don't doubt what you're saying one bit.  I am fully anticipating the amp ending up in my living room.  At which point I'll be back here asking for speaker recommendations!  But I do intend on trying the amp at my studio.  It will be fun to test everyone's hypothesis. : )

And, it's worth mentioning, I got another noise complaint today, so maybe the Ray is the throttle I need.  Hahaha.