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Low watt tube amps/pros/cons

300B's, 845's and others. What are some of the benifits of these tubes as well as the limitations. I see someone posted that he has a 15 watt tube amp and wants to get 30hz bass. It is highly unlikely that his amp will deliver as low as 30hz, even if he did find a speaker that went to that level, would the bass have any authority? Also by saying I want to find a speaker that goes to 30hz hows the mids anf highs. IOW I'd never buy any speaker based on the fact that it goes to 25hz, its a package deal.
Back to the main idea here. Can anyone give a list of +'s and the ='s of the low watt tube amps. For myself its not something I'm interested in as all my listenings are classical, and I want the orchestras to sound full rich, dynamic, that is the low and high end extended. I heard a 300B amp, the Cayin, and was incredible with light jazz, blues, but for classical orchestral it fell flat and lifeless. The speakers were the Silverline Sonatas.
bartokfan
tvad
9,467 posts
 
I see someone posted that he has a 15 watt tube amp and wants to get 30hz bass. It is highly unlikely that his amp will deliver as low as 30hz, even if he did find a speaker that went to that level, would the bass have any authority? Also by saying I want to find a speaker that goes to 30hz hows the mids anf highs. IOW I'd never buy any speaker based on the fact that it goes to 25hz, its a package deal.
Bartokfan (Threads | Answers)
Since you're commenting and criticizing my request, I ask you to reread my post. I never said I owned a 15wpc amp. I said I was interested in speakers that could be powered by an amp with as little as 15wpc primarily because most of the integrated tube amps have relatively low power (less than 60wpc). If such an animal doesn't exist, then so be it. There is nothing chiseled in stone.

Bass is important to me. Therefore speakers that go down to 30hz are a factor. Clearly the midrange performance and sound of the highs is important, too.

BTW, here is an efficient speaker that goes lower than 30hz. I'm not suggesting that this is the one for me, but the tone of your statement suggests such a speaker doesn't exist. Here's proof that one does. There are others, I'm sure.
audiofeil
4,011 posts
 
Bartok,
You are certainly the single most consistent poster here in regards to content, knowledge, and style. I'm constantly amazed.
herman
1,974 posts
 
You auditioned a setup that is not even close to ideal for orchestral music. Even if the speakers have an impedance that is easy to drive, 93 dB speakers still require more than a few watts to get them going. I wouldn't dismiss low power amps based on a single audtion. Paired with the right speakers those amps will sound incredible with more than jazz and blues.

The pluses are just what you heard, incredible sound. The minus is they must be paired with the right speakers, if you can call that a minus since matching components is a must with any set up.

For myself its not something I'm interested in as all my listenings are classical, and I want the orchestras to sound full rich, dynamic, that is the low and high end extended.

These things are easily obtained with low power amps. One solution is to use a powered woofer for the lowest octaves. Avantgarde and other highly regarded speakers go this route. Take a look at my system. It delivers all you asked for and more.
bartokfan OP
664 posts
 
Tvad Apologies if I misread your post. That aside lets get back to the limitations of low powered tube amps. Sure I've not heard the 845, so I cannot judge. I did hear the 300B and it was flat on complex orchestra. I've heard several KT88 amps and were also very flat in the fq's. Anyone heard a KT88 tube that was dynamic in the bass and highs?
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