Moving to Horn speakers


Hi - i am new to the forum - 45, living in UK.

System: Gyrodec/incognito rb300/Ortofon FL25, CAT SL1 reference, Lumley M120 monoblocs, Proac Studio 150s.

Whilst I am content with this system - I recently had the fortune to hear a pair of Lowther equiped horns, on the end of an 8 watt SET - and was very very impressed. The feeling of being there was outstanding.

I have also seen on a web site a design for a Voight horn, which looks fairly simple to do. I would probably put a pair of second hand lowther units in them(PM6C ).

My question is - my monoblocs are 120 watts pentode/ 70 watts triode - and even in triode mode (my preferred option) will they not be too powerful for the horns.

The end goal - if I found I could live with the lowther horns, would be to replace the monoblocs with a high quality,low powered SET (probably DIY).
laurencedwyer

Showing 2 responses by ecclectique

Your MFA 120's are very fine amplifiers especially in triode.You should compare them head on with a set amp "before" you make any amp change.Like push/pull amps,not all set amps are created equal and many have inherent liabilities.Driving my very efficient Tannoy Westminsters...my old mfa's[wired in triode]bested a whole slew of set amps. That said....MY preference is SET, however..I auditioned quite a few set amps that were not really in the same league as the MFA's
The proacs are very set friendly speakers.My system was very similiar to yours..... proac response 3's driven by mfa 120b's[in triode]and the luminescence preamp.You can certainly audition most set amps with your proacs before the speaker change to get a voice on the amps... with the possible exception of the [fabulous sounding]1.5 watt directly heated triode amps that employ the 45 tiode tube.I would think that any of the 300b based amps at 7 0r 8 watts would certainly drive the proacs.Any of the 811 or 845 based set amps will drive the proacs to live volume levels if you room isn't to large.The lowthers will allow you the luxury of mating a set amp that does use the fabulous 45 triode tube and most definately an amp you will want to hear with the Lowthers.