help w/amp demo

Listen for controlled, detailed, and extended bass.

Listen for extended highs.

Turn up the volume and play some music with wide dynamic peaks and valleys. Are the peaks reproduced fully, or are they constricted?

Frankly, unless you've heard your speakers with an amp that's a good match, it may be challenging to know what they sound like when properly matched.

Is there an experienced audiophile or two nearby who could come listen with you?

DeHavilland showed with 88db Wilson Benesch Curve loudspeakers at RMAF. The speakers were 6 ohms nominal with a 4 ohm minimum specification. They did sound quite good in a smallish room with a nearfield set-up.

Thanks Tvad. I think my current power is a good match-Classe CAM 350- I am just interested in the richer sound a good tube amp can provide (at RMAF, I always gravitate to the tube gear). A friend of mine will attend the demo as well, but he is no more experienced in this area than I am.

How can I determine if the amp is being strained? Or, should I just listen for bass and dynamics?

Thanks.

How can I determine if the amp is being strained? Or, should I just listen for bass and dynamics?

Thanks.
Shredder (Answers)

Just compare it to what you're used to hearing with the Classe amp on dynamic material. You'll know if the music sounds right or not.

BTW, I was impressed with the 50A amps. In fact, I contacted Kara yesterday, but I don't think the situation is going to work out for me (no local audition, etc).

What a way to go. Wish a had a 'Sounds Real' type dealer in my area, one that comes to your system. That is the best way to determine whether a significant improvement in your system sound can be achieved.

Excellent suggestions by Tvad, as usual. The one thing I would add, with respect to your question about having enough power, is that a key variable is the dynamic range of the music you listen to.

I also have 90db speakers, in a 13 x 20 room, with the listening distance being about 9 feet. I am currently using an 80W tube amp (keep in mind that is only 3db more than 40W). On well recorded, minimally compressed, wide dynamic range classical symphonic music (which I listen to a lot) I find that the 80 watts is adequate, but just barely. A small nudge on the volume control above the position I normally set it to will result in slight but noticeable clipping.

On virtually all other kinds of music, listening at loud but sensible levels, the 80W is very easily adequate. A possible exception being things like some of the 1980's Sheffield Labs direct-to-disk LP's, some of which have dynamic range that is not likely to be encountered elsewhere. I haven't listened to those yet since I replaced my 200W solid state amplifier, which could handle them easily with the 90db speakers.

Best of luck!
-- Al