2. amps-preamps
  3. 173648-4741

30 to 50 watts seems to be all I desire

Weird, but in my small listening room (12x16) no matter the speakers used, to a T they all can be driven quite superbly with amps in the 30 to 50 watt range.  This includes the Maggie 1.7.

I had a few 200 watt amps in rotation but took them out for now because I never got past about 8:00 or at most 9:00 on the preamp, and oftentimes it was around the 7:30 mark.

So I personally don’t buy into the lower efficiency speakers needing gobs of power to sound good.  Caveat:  Listening to mainly Jazz at volumes less than 85db, normally.

Cheers, all.

 

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wspohn's avatar
wspohn
579 posts
 

I drive really low efficiency speakers (86 dB electrostatics) with 45 watts (big Class A watts, but only a max of 45 of them) with no need for any more.

bgross's avatar
bgross
312 posts
 

Had big amps in the past, Perreaux, Krell, etc. but now go tubing with a 30 Watt Triode/60 Ultra-linear Cary piece. Can't see myself ever going back unless I absolutely fall in love (again) with a power hungry speaker. System symmetry is paramount. Have to pay close attention to what components get mated togther. I'm in the pocket right now with my modest setup

relaks
63 posts
 

In my experience a 45-50W amp + 90-92dB speakers is a sweet spot if you are looking for a seriously good sound for sane money.

My current LTA Z40 is about 48W at 6 Ohm, its' volume control goes from 0 to100, and I mostly listen at 4 to 6. The speakers are 91dB.

I could probably use a 10W amp, but a bit of a headroom never goes amiss. And the tubes are never stretched.

 

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