rbtwsp

nominal 95, peak 99

I found a SPL/DB app, not the exact one you mentioned. I listened to some Rossini overtures and part of a Beethoven symphony at what I consider the loudest I would care to listen at, the results were average 85-90db, with peaks at about 95db. Hopefully this will help. Please take into consideration I would prefer to have a little extra available Bob

I am having a bit of trouble finding the app, could we use the 70-75 range for now?

OK, after looking at the article in the link without having a device to measure the current decibel level I think I like to listen at, I will guess at somewhere in the range of 70-75 decibels

That looks like a good option to me. I think the CF3's while rated at 100db present a pretty wild impedance curve back to the amplifier so they might be pretty hard on a couple watt flea powered amp. So, tell me if I am thinking about this correctly, if a high efficiency speaker has a 'wild impedance curve" it could be harder to drive, meaning needs more power?

Zim, Thanks I will be using CF3's, they are not as efficient as your speakers so I hope there will be enough power. I listen to classical and like large orchestral. My source will be my Arcam FMJ cd23 which I really like

It's coming down to the B60 and the Sphinx, partly because there are dealers fro both near me and I think I could borrow a demo. I wish the rca's on the Sphinx were mounted to the back panel instead of the circuit board

The B60 is a very nice piece. Its probably my favorite out of the many Integrated amps I've owned(Plinius, Classe, Sim Audio, and tube int. from HH Scott, Fisher, HK, etc). I'm pretty much in agreement with the various reviews (stereophile) with regards to its performance. My experience is with the std. B60, the R adds the remote and the SST is its current offering said to be improved. I sold my B60 a little over a week ago when I downsized one system. It was 18 years old (2 years of excellent factory warranty remaining) and had never had any issues. Zim, which speakers were you using with the B60 and was it the typical solid state sound?

I have also thought about the Bryston B60 which I know is solid state but have heard they are very good

Looks very nice but it is more power than I need. I am not familiar with this amp but I use a tube preamplifier with my SS power amps. To me my system sounds the best that way. The tube pre tames some of the brightness of solid state many experience with horn speakers. It also broadens the sound stage.

not sure if this is the correct forum. anyone have experience with the Rogue audio Sphinx? or other like this tube pre and solid state main? Thanks Bob

I realize the Heritage line is very different from the Epic CF line, I want tubes in the equation, I think in the pre stage. Alot of the hybrids I see have 100wpc, i think I would be fine with less. The draw back with the more power is less usable area on the volume control. I listen to classical and a good amount of large orchestral and would like the reserve power when changes from soft to loud occur quickly Bob

avguytx, how is the bass with the EL84 amps?, I'm starting to lean toward a hybrid

Thanks I'll check into the Carey, I was also considering the Rogue Audio Sphinx , any thoughts on the Sphinx? http://www.rogueaudio.com/Products_sphinx.htm

Here is more about myself and my audio history. I first had a yamaha 100 wpc integrated, a yamaha cdp,and the CF3's. It souded ok but wondered about something better. A friend got me interested in tubes and I bought a George Wright 6650 based amp (about 70wpc), Wright's pre-amp, Spendor SP1/2e's. I was in a different home at this time and had a small listening room, this was a good combination (although the Spendors did not go real deep in bass, but the mids and highs were very good. I moved to my present home with the listening area I described above(12x20) and found the Spendors a bit too small. My daughter had been using my Yamaha equip and the CF3"s and wanted me to take it back, so I did. I decided to try and sell the Spendors and the Wright amp. Initially for a time I tried the Wright pre-amp with the main amp on the yamaha and I kind like the combo of tube pre and solid state main, but I think there may have been a impedance match issue. I decided to sell the wright pre-amp because I checked into matching with other amps and thought I may have issues. The Cf3's seemed ok with 70wpc tube from what I recall but I do remember the bass seemed better with the solid state I think I would like have tubes somewhere, which tubes are noted for good bass?

hello evreyone, As I said before the room is 12'x20' and my listening position is about 16' away, the speakers are about 6-7' apart. I listen to classical and I only use one source my cd player. I listen to a fair amount of large orchestral, but not extremely loud. Yes, I do like bass but I don't necessarily need to rattle windows. I would like to have headroom for when orchestral changes from quiet to louder passages soI probably won't go SET but wonder if SEP would be enough, I think it would work when I listen to chamber but maybe not large orchestral. If I could I would like to use just a tube amp with a gain control, my cd player has output of 2.3 volts and I think that may be enough. My other thought is a tube integrated . Thanks

The room is about 12'x20', my listening position is about 16' away. Jim, how many watts per channel is you SEP? Anyone have experience with the Carey 300SEI? Thanks everyone gotta head to work Bob

Mike, not exactly sure from what I have seen alot of people build their own SET's. I don't know of many manufacturers, maybe Carey? Jim, I am bit confused with the power hungry thing, Klipssh does say they are rated 100db. I don't doubt what you and others say but the 100db makes me wonder. Some builders think I may be fine, hopefully I will hear from CF3 owners. thanks Bob

Hello Matthews, Toolshed is the top of my list right now, I am still thinking about SET's. Some people seem to prefer SET's to SEP's for different reasons. I agree Toolshed is top notch.

Matthews, I spoke to Matt a Toolshed breifly, but never asked if he builds SET's. I spoke to him about the Genesis 6. Jim, I don't recall reading about 'hard to push', but you may be right. I have heard they like power but, the CF'3 are 100db according to Klipsch.

Please give me some ideas for a SET for my CF3's, I currently do not have a pre-amp and would like to go integrated. I will only be using one source so there is no need for switching. I know this is a very broad question thanks in advance. Bob

this link may be helpful http://www.manley.com/manlab100.php, I think the Manley gear is decent from what i have read. Bob

Here's a dumb question, so help me understand. I always thought that amp outputs and speakers operated in DC, for example in tube systems i commonly see either diodes or specific tubes rectifying the AC to DC. I have also seen output tubes with high DC plate voltages, am I missing something or is solid state different? Thanks Bob

Good idea Shiva, I currently have a Yamaha integrated but i think it is developing a problem. I would really like to try SET, people say there is a certain presence you get with SET.

Moray, Thank you very much, I had a feeling I knew what you were saying, but wanted to be sure. I think my best options would be either a hybrid integrated or bi-amping with SS for bass and tube for highs. Bob