2. amps-preamps
  3. 130683-1641

recommendations for amplifiers that don't emit tons of heat

I tried a Krell ksa 150 and while I liked the sound, it was like having a space heater in the room. I now have an Audio research vt100. It sounds fantastic, but it makes the room hot as well. Not as bad as the Krell, but it's still a drag in the summer.

I'm guessing I should just suck it up, but I'm curious what cooler running options there are that sound as good (or better)... suggestions?
tripg

Showing 5 responses by glennewdick

glennewdick's avatar
glennewdick
1,531 posts
 
Your speakers are 92db and nominal 8 ohms and with your small room you don't need that much power. you could getaway with 20-70wpc in a quality class A/B that will not over heat your room. Class D is an option but I would listen to one first see if its your cup of tea.  There is quite a few quality amps in your price range and at the lower watts you can get more for your money as your not buying power.


glennewdick's avatar
glennewdick
1,531 posts
 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Damping_factor


glennewdick's avatar
glennewdick
1,531 posts
 

Also the main force that controls the speakers is Damping factor not how much power you have.

Definition. Amplifier damping factor (DF)is defined as “the ratio of the load impedance (loudspeaker plus wire resistance) to the amplifier internal output impedance.” This basically indicates the amplifier's ability to control overshoot of the loudspeaker, i.e., to stop the cone from moving

so you wont necessarily need more power. like my self and gdnrbob said try a smaller quality amp you will be surprised.

glennewdick's avatar
glennewdick
1,531 posts
 

Vtvmtodvm the biggest power consumer in a tube amp is usually the heaters for the cathode that's why they waist so much power to run at idle. more tubes you have the more cathodes you need to heat and more heat in the room you get. the Heaters are only so electrons can flow inside the tube they do nothing else.

also tubes are not that good for THD at their max output that's why good designers usually run them conservatively.  

glennewdick's avatar
glennewdick
1,531 posts
 
for an example KT 88’s have a heater current of 1.6 amps each tube....where as the power dissipated is around 5mili amps
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