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Sensitivity 86 v 90

I am considering an upgrade from speakers with a sensitivity rating of 90 db, 4 ohms, to larger speakers rated at 86db, 8 ohms nominal.  Same brand, PMC. My tube integrated amp is 80-112 watts triode/ultralinear, and it’s fine for my 90 db speakers.  Although, it is sometimes at around 4 o’clock on the volume control, approaching the max at 6.  I am aware of the “amp power must double for each 3db increase in volume” rule of thumb, but really have no practical experience with this.  I do like having 90 db efficiency, always assumed that meant a less powerful amp would suffice. 

   My question is, would the decreased efficiency be a concern? 

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Showing 1 response by bpoletti

bpoletti
1,530 posts
 

12AU7 is a low-gain tube.  A 12AX7 will definitely provide more gain in a given configuration.  

Most listening takes place around 1 to 2 watts depending on speaker efficiency, distance from the speakers to the listening position, room size and a few other variables.  Musical transients can exceed that..  If your preamp / phono stage gain is low, it will give a false "reading" of the amount of amp power you're using to just get to your typical 1 to 2 watts output, but shouldn't limit transients..  

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