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Vandersteen question

It's time to upgrade my speakers. I'm very impressed by the Vandersteen 3A Sig. but am concerned that I don't have enough power. I just got a pair of Quicksilver MiniMite monoblock tube amps that are 25 watts/channel matched with the Eastern Electric MiniMax preamp (20 db gain). Presently I've got Klipsch Heresys that are very efficient at 96db/1watt. I can barely turn the volume past the 9 o'clock position before the sound gets to ear bleeding levels.

My question relates to the active preamp with 20 db of gain. I believe there's a formula that everytime you double the wattage, this increases the SPL by 3 db. With this in mind, 20 db of gain in the preamp would equate to an amp having 6 2/3 times the wattage or 166 watts/channel matched with a passive preamp in my case.

I notice that Vandersteen recommends 100 to 200 W/ch with the 3A Sig while the 2Ce Sig recommends 40 to 60 W/ch. I find this confusing considering that the 3A is more efficient at 87db. The 2Ce is rated at 86db.

Vandy fans - Please enlighten me. Thanks.
mootsdude

Showing 4 responses by mikej

mikej
172 posts
 
I can't give you an engineering perspective on this...rather a practical one. You can only drive your amp up to it's ability to output power. Therefore, it's less important how much gain your preamp has as to how much power your amp can generate.

You will want at least 100wpc with the 3A Sigs. The Quicksilver V-4s are a great choice. If you want other options there are plenty out there. However, the absolute bare minimum I would use is 50wpc.

Good luck!
mikej
172 posts
 
Room size with the 3As is more a matter of giving them room to "breathe". I listen nearfield with mine and have no problems with integration. However, they do better in larger rooms so they don't over load it or run into bass problems. (Any full range speaker will have this room problem, just to be clear.)
mikej
172 posts
 
8-9 feet for me is near field. Sorry...I wasn't specific.
The best I've heard them sound was from about 15 feet away in a HUGE room. Unfortunately, that room isn't mine...
;- )
mikej
172 posts
 
The 3A Sigs reequire more power than your amps can provide. You may drive them into overload and clipping on crescendos without realizing it. That in turn can damage the speaker. I suggest working with your dealer to trade up to the Quicksilver V-4s. They're a great match and work very well with the 3A Sigs.
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