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Question re input Sensitivity and 110 db speakers

Can an integrated amp, 60 WPC Class A, input sensitivity at rated output 125 mV, be used with 110 db sensitive speakers in terms of: Will the volume control be so sensitive that it will not be possible to adjust the sound levels to low volumes, or will it be "all or nothing" in that there will be no minor volume adjustments because of the high sensitivity of the speakers?
Anybody know the answer?
Thanks!
springbok10
onhwy61's avatar
onhwy61
4,163 posts
 
Try it and see if it works to your liking. From the specs you've provided you can't really judge the usefullness of the volume control. If it does turn out to be too sensitive it can be easily remedied via an in-line attenuator (Rothwell, Endler, etc.).
prcinka
364 posts
 
for me this was always a problem and these in-line att's are taking too much away from the "precious" signal...Generally I would only use maximum 10W amplifier with the 110dB speakers to have it " matched"....
tarsando
578 posts
 
Well, if you don't actually HAVE the amp to test, I think the conceptual answer to your question is--no the amp is too powerful. Even adding an attenuator (a fixed one anyhow) isn't necessarily going to help. I would have thought the whole point of using such wildly efficient speakers would be to use a very low powered set tube amp.
onhwy61's avatar
onhwy61
4,163 posts
 
Tarsando, why won't an attenuator help? Please explain.

As far as an attenuator taking away from the precious signal, some designs place nothing more than a resistor in the signal path. We're all in trouble if a single well chosen resistor can make that much of a difference.
cyclonicman
693 posts
 
I am curious to know which speakers are you using that have that sensitivity. I know Klipschorns were rated at about 102db, but 110db completely blows me away.
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