Classe CA-100 stereo vs bridged

Okay, I'm confused(nothing unusual). What does having to reduce my volume control have anything to do with sensitivity when the amp is now producing, real world, probably three times as much power at the same setting? Won't an amp making three times as much power produce at least 4-5 db more spl at the same volume setting with the 'same' sensitivity? I ask because I'm running my Acoustats in mono and am curious as to why exactly I have to turn up my self powered sub woofers substantially to eq the system as opposed to using them in stereo.

Thank you, Al

BTW, No degradation. Rather, an improvement. 2nd order harmonics are eliminated, way more dynamic, faster.

Hi Peter (Csontos),

First, let me repeat what I said:

I wouldn't be surprised if the sensitivity increases by 6 db (i.e., you would have to reduce your volume control setting by 6 db, to achieve the SAME VOLUME [emphasis added] as in stereo configuration)

You then asked, in part:

Won't an amp making three times as much power produce at least 4-5 db more spl at the same volume setting ....

Our two statements seem to me to be perfectly consistent with each other.

The rest of your sentence was:

... with the 'same' sensitivity?

If sensitivity is considered to be the input voltage required to drive the amp to its maximum power rating, whatever that rating may be for the specific mode that is being used (stereo or bridged mono), then the amp's sensitivity would probably be the same.

But my interpretation of the intent of the OP's question about whether input sensitivity would change is that he wanted to determine if there would be a significant change in output power for a GIVEN input voltage.

You have found that to be the case with your Acoustat amps, and I was saying that I wouldn't be surprised if it were the case with his Classe amp.

Whether or not that increase in output power and volume for the same setting of the volume control is considered to be a change in "sensitivity" is a matter of semantics and definition. I chose not to get into semantics and definition, but to respond to what I perceived to be the intent of the question.

Best regards,
-- Al

I suppose a little more info would be helpful here. I am running a Rega Apollo into a passive pre amp (goldpoint 25k stepped attenuator). So my pre amp has no gain capability. The Rega drives my CA-100 to near its rated output on most material. So, therefore, I cant afford for bridged mode to yield less wattage per the input signal.

Al is right in that a CA-100 in bridged mode isnt something I need to drive to its 350 watt maximum. Rather, whats most important in my situation is that the Rega can drive the bridged amp at least to the same wattage levels as before.

It sounds like, which ever way one chooses to look at it, that given the same input, I will have more output in bridged mode in terms of watts yielded.