2. amps-preamps
  3. 1210252160

Question about set amps and low sensitivity spkrs

Hi, In about 3 weeks I will take ownership of an 18wpc SET integrated. I currently run an Arcam SS amp with B&W 602 S2 speakers and I'm still undecided about new speakers (more sensitive, tube friendly) to mate with my new amp. My question is, can I run my current 90db sensitive B&W speakers with the SET integrated without doing damage, or shortening the life of my new tubes? I'd hate to have the amp sitting in a box waiting for me to decide on new speakers :) I frequently see that B&W speakers don't mate well with tubes...why is this?
thanks
Michael
mbleming

Showing 4 responses by tvad

tvad
9,467 posts
 
Coincident, Devore, Classic Audio Reproductions, Zu Audio, Audiokinesis.

These companies all make speakers that will work with your SET amp.
tvad
9,467 posts
 
Only problem with the 4ohm tap is that you are going to drop the wattage quite a bit - I think.
Pubul57 (System | Threads | Answers)

Actually, it works the other way. Think about amps that double power output into 4 ohms. Therefore, 8 ohms halve the power versus 4 ohms. 16 ohms quarters the power, etc...
tvad
9,467 posts
 
Well, there you go.
tvad
9,467 posts
 
The problem is, if you have speakers that have large impedance dips, and you have an amp that feeds the same power into the different impedance loads, then you end up with unbalanced sound as the frequencies at the lower impedances will have less volume.

Therefore, those speakers require power that doubles into the lower impedances for balanced sound.

That's why tube amps work better with speakers with flat impedance curves.
More to discover