Thoughts? - First Watt F8 / Vandersteen Treo's


Always have been interested in the Treo's after hearing these at a friends.  I have run across a lightly used pair but it seems to me looking at the specs these are not a good fit with my First Watt F8.  The F8 being a Class A puts out 25 W - 8ohms.  The Vandersteen site shows a minimum of 40W into 8 ohms and sensitivity of 85 db.  First glance tells me that this is likely not a solid combination.  Thoughts? 

norust

That amp will not cope well with very hard to drive Vandersteen speakers.   I would echo Soix's POV exactly.  Those speakers need a bit more oomph.  

I had Vandersteen 5a for many years. Unfortunately, not enough power. All the Vandersteen’s have about the same sensitivity.

Thanks Gents!  Always good to have someone smarter than me to run this type of information by.  Leaning towards the Volti Razz which seems to be one to the top matches for the F8.  

You really do need to find good experts ; hard to drive is not just a simple efficiency evaluation…The Vandy is an easy load relative to impedance and phase angle w no bizare dips. it also has pistonic drivers and a very inert cabinet. Pistonic drivers don’t include out of phase trash in the output. The waterfall and your listening at friends should tell you that. I run a set of Treo CT with either a 40 wpc tube or SS amp ( MC-240 or NAIM Atom )  Personally, i would haul the amp to friends Treo and see for yourself… if anything Nelson designs amps w grunt, headroom and drive….

Of course, room size and SPL requirements might mitigate all that….

Having said that, i’ve heard a Razz… plenty of virtues for sure…. enjoy the music and the journey 

@tomic601 

 Personally, i would haul the amp to friends Treo and see for yourself… 

If this is a possibility I'd definitely heed this suggestion. You'll know for sure. I also believe that the Volti Razz seems a potentially excellent option with your F8 amplifier.

Charles