2. amps-preamps
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Paul Klipsch was right - What the world needs is a good 5 watt amplifier

For those who are questioning whether a low power high quality amp would be able to properly drive any speakers I've recorded a short video demonstrating very high SPL level from a speakers with average sensitivity. The video is of very low audio and video quality as its recorded from my smartphone. However, the microphone used for measuring the sound pressure is MiniDSP UMIK-1 and the software used is REW (Room EQ Wizard). During the tests the amplifier didn't show any hint of stress of distortion

The speakers used in this video are Sonus Faber Olympica II and the integrated amplifier is Pass Labs INT-25. According to some third party reviews the Olympica's are thought load for the partnering amplifier as their sensitivity is averagely rated (88db) and the impedance curve drops down to 3 ohms in the bass region with a estimated EPDR (the point where the impedance curve is intersecting with the phase angle) of 1.6 ohms. The pass labs is rated at 25wpc @ 8omh and is said to be stable down to 1 ohm doubling its power at 4 and 2 ohms. According to the manual it can deliver 200wpc @ 1ohm before the protection circuit is activated. 

So, the point of the video is to show that the Pass with its poorly rated power (25wpc) can drive even demanding speakers to insanely loud levels without any sound degradation. 

  

 

celestial__sound

Showing 1 response by dsper

dsper
663 posts
 

Hi All,

You all are much more knowledgeable than me, so I have a couple of questions if I may.

I bit the bullet and bought a pair of Klipsch Forte iv's in order to try a pair of high efficiency speakers. Listened to Cornwalls four or five times but felt, for me, the bass was better with the Forte's.

Played the Forte's with my McCormack DNA-500 amp, which is great with my Theil CS5i's, but not so much with the Forte's. 

Switched out to my old CJ LP66S tube amp and the sound greatly improved. In my space, 60 wpc is much more than enough. I think 30 wpc could be too much.

First question: does it make sense that the DNA-500 probably would not sound good with horns? Why?

Second Question: I recall reading somewhere that horns generally do not like amplifiers that use a lot of negative feedback. Is this generally true? Why?

Just trying to lay the groundwork to try a lower power tube amp or maybe Pass/First Watt?

Thanks for listening,

Dsper

 

 

 

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