Sideways move?


I currently have a pair of Tannoy Legacy Ardens (sensitivity 93) and love them. I am running them with a Decware Zen Torii M5 with bypass mods. They sound wonderful together... But... the 25 watts from the Zen Torii just isn't enough to properly do justice to the Ardens, after tube rolling and finding the right output tubes (KT66).

Since I am relatively happy, I was thinking of several options:

1) Get a pair of Devore O/96's (I'm never going to part with the Tannoys)

2) Sell the Decware and get an LTA z40+ or a Luxman 509X

I love the Decware, but I think selling it and the tubes I've stashed for it, might make it possible to go up another rung...

Thank you,

Steve

sbrogdon

OP... I have evaluated the Luxman 509 into Heritage Specials... I was very impressed ( it was a demo unit)...  I gave it very serious consideration... really liked it

@knighttodd

I can read as well as you. I was simply telling him how I am powering my Ardens.

Okay, that’s fine. However, “You definitely need a little more power “ is what you advised. Clearly, he does not, given his subsequent comments/re-listening impressions. No problem, I understand that higher amplifying power works for “you “. The OP is doing great with his Decware. It’s all good. I’m quite happy for the OP due to the outcome. No doubt that you’re happy for him as well. 😊

Charles

Spoil yourself and buy a 2nd pair of speakers that are easier to drive. Sell your Mother-in-law to fund them! 😊

 

 

I would suggest you if you have a chance demo the Pass Labs INT-25 with your speakers. Its very transparent, smooth as tube, more than you ll ever need power and it have insane control of the woofers. Just my 2 cents

If 1 watt can produce 93dB in those speakers, 24 more would drive them to uncomfortable levels. More power isn't your issue.

Keep in mind that SPL is at ONE meter. Inverse square means that every doubling of the distance, the source will be 4 times lower in volume. And also remember that a 6 db increase in volume requires 4 X increase in power.

 

That said, every amp is not created equal. I had a Decware Torii II that sounded anemic with 96 db Spatial Audio X3 loudspeakers. But it sounded excellent with 104 db Klipschorns. In theory, it should have worked with the Spatials, but in practice, it did not.