Thank you! All of your responses have really helped. Serus, I don't know if I can answer your question, but my previous speakers were Dynaudio 1.3SEs (monitors), that I was driving with a Proceed BPA 125wpc amp. @ 5 months ago I bought a Proceed HPA2 which was 250wpc. The Dyns were 86db sensitivity and they had a much improved sound with the bigger amp- not only did everything seem to just 'open up' but highs and midrange sounded more refined. I don't know if that was a function of the increase in wattage or more current. My guess is a bit of both). I therefore have 'assumed' that an amp in the 200-250wpc range would be more compatible with the Focus Audio that are 1db lower. If this thinking is flawed plse let me know :) ..I also thought the Dyns sounded better at low volumes with the bigger amp. I sold the 125wpc amp before I bought the FA speakers, but they too sound nice at low volume levels with the larger amp.
Specs to look for when matching tube pre to SS amp
I would like to not make a costly mistake and learn how one determines (at least from a specifications standpoint) on how to match equipment. I have a deHavilland UltraVerve tube preamp and am looking for a new/used SS amp. The Dehavilland specs are:
Input signal: 2v RMS maximum
freq respon : 10Hz to 80kHz
noise : <80db
Max output : 8v RMS
Gain : up to 10db
The pre only uses single ended inputs and I want to match to a SS amp. My monitors are Focus Audio FS688 (85db) so I am looking at amps in the 200+ wpc range. Someone told me that I should go with an amp that has no more than @ 1.5 input sensitivity. Some of the amps that I'm looking at, GamuT and the Classe CA 2200 are in that range. I would like to consider an amp like the Blue Circle BC26MK2 as I have read it sounds somewhat like a tube amp and matches well with the Focus speakers, but it's input sensitivity rating is 4.48 to 200W. Would this create a mismatch? I believe the Pass Labs .2 series is also well over 1.5 . I do not often listen at loud volume levels. Is there more than amp input sensitivity to consider when matching to a tube preamp? I can not demo a lot of equipment, but would appreciate your suggestions. Thank you!
Input signal: 2v RMS maximum
freq respon : 10Hz to 80kHz
noise : <80db
Max output : 8v RMS
Gain : up to 10db
The pre only uses single ended inputs and I want to match to a SS amp. My monitors are Focus Audio FS688 (85db) so I am looking at amps in the 200+ wpc range. Someone told me that I should go with an amp that has no more than @ 1.5 input sensitivity. Some of the amps that I'm looking at, GamuT and the Classe CA 2200 are in that range. I would like to consider an amp like the Blue Circle BC26MK2 as I have read it sounds somewhat like a tube amp and matches well with the Focus speakers, but it's input sensitivity rating is 4.48 to 200W. Would this create a mismatch? I believe the Pass Labs .2 series is also well over 1.5 . I do not often listen at loud volume levels. Is there more than amp input sensitivity to consider when matching to a tube preamp? I can not demo a lot of equipment, but would appreciate your suggestions. Thank you!