jason.justice Posted May 21, 2022 Share Posted May 21, 2022 What are some recommended solid state amps to pair with a set of 1983 Cornwalls? What specs should I be looking at? Yes, I know that tube is better for these classic Klipsch and I will eventually get there. But for reasons I don't want to explain, I want to start with SS. If I've read correctly that since the CW are so sensitive, the amp should have very low distortion. I'm looking at both vintage and modern. Thoughts on these two or other recos? THANK YOU! Schitt Aegir https://www.schiit.com/products/aegir?Finish=372&Voltage=365&Plug Type=367 Yamaha CR 440 http://www.classic-audio.com/yamaha-cr440-p-300.html Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
richieb Posted May 21, 2022 Share Posted May 21, 2022 Most recommendations can and will be debated so I’ll forgo that but to believe or assume that a tube amp is “better” for Heritage Klipsch may well be a mistake. Well designed SS amps sound as good as well designed tubes with Heritage. Crappy tube amps sound just as bad as crappy SS amps. They exist in both camps. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CWOReilly Posted May 21, 2022 Share Posted May 21, 2022 I like vintage myself. Problem with vintage amps is they occasionally fail. I was running my ‘79 CWs with an HK Citation 16 until it decided to go. It took a woofer with it. Woofer replaced and I still haven’t learned my lesson, but if this original Onkyo M-504 blows….. Anyway I like vintage power…. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jimjimbo Posted May 21, 2022 Share Posted May 21, 2022 1 hour ago, jason.justice said: What are some recommended solid state amps to pair with a set of 1983 Cornwalls? What specs should I be looking at? Yes, I know that tube is better for these classic Klipsch and I will eventually get there. But for reasons I don't want to explain, I want to start with SS. If I've read correctly that since the CW are so sensitive, the amp should have very low distortion. I'm looking at both vintage and modern. Thoughts on these two or other recos? THANK YOU! Schitt Aegir https://www.schiit.com/products/aegir?Finish=372&Voltage=365&Plug Type=367 Yamaha CR 440 http://www.classic-audio.com/yamaha-cr440-p-300.html I have an HK A402 for sale that sounds great with all Heritage. Same as the HK730 receiver, without the tuner. Fully serviced and great shape. PM me if interested. Thanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jason.justice Posted May 21, 2022 Author Share Posted May 21, 2022 58 minutes ago, richieb said: Most recommendations can and will be debated so I’ll forgo that but to believe or assume that a tube amp is “better” for Heritage Klipsch may well be a mistake. Well designed SS amps sound as good as well designed tubes with Heritage. Crappy tube amps sound just as bad as crappy SS amps. They exist in both camps. Great! That said do you have any recommendations for SS? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jason.justice Posted May 21, 2022 Author Share Posted May 21, 2022 48 minutes ago, CWOReilly said: I like vintage myself. Problem with vintage amps is they occasionally fail. I was running my ‘79 CWs with an HK Citation 16 until it decided to go. It took a woofer with it. Woofer replaced and I still haven’t learned my lesson, but if this original Onkyo M-504 blows….. Anyway I like vintage power…. Thoughts on the vintage Yamaha above? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OO1 Posted May 21, 2022 Share Posted May 21, 2022 way under powered , you need at minimum 90 wpc , distortion is key here , the lower the distortion , the better the sound , you want an affordable high power 300wpc amp , Crown Xli 800 , you want a lower power amp , discrete , reliable , exceptional preamp ...Yamaha A-S1200 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jason.justice Posted May 21, 2022 Author Share Posted May 21, 2022 um, forgive me if i'm misunderstanding something but i thought the benefit of high sensitivity speakers like Cornwalls is that you don't need much power. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
billybob Posted May 21, 2022 Share Posted May 21, 2022 Do you require a phono section? What is your budget? Remote control? Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CWOReilly Posted May 21, 2022 Share Posted May 21, 2022 38 minutes ago, jason.justice said: Thoughts on the vintage Yamaha above? It’s been a number of years since I’ve listened to a Yamaha (CR-1020) of that vintage, but recall it being pretty good. With the low wattage you should be fine in a medium room so long as you don’t push it too hard. More power is better if going louder. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jason.justice Posted May 21, 2022 Author Share Posted May 21, 2022 $1k and under. Don;t need a phono stage or remote. Just good pairing. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CWOReilly Posted May 21, 2022 Share Posted May 21, 2022 1 minute ago, jason.justice said: $1k and under. Don;t need a phono stage or remote. Just good pairing. You have plenty of options then! Schiit I hear good things about, but never personally heard anything through them. If you go vintage get something that’s already serviced and 70+ watts. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jimjimbo Posted May 21, 2022 Share Posted May 21, 2022 39 minutes ago, jason.justice said: um, forgive me if i'm misunderstanding something but i thought the benefit of high sensitivity speakers like Cornwalls is that you don't need much power. No, you are not misunderstanding at all. The recommendation above is way out of line. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PrestonTom Posted May 21, 2022 Share Posted May 21, 2022 52 minutes ago, 001 said: way under powered , you need at minimum 90 wpc , distortion is key here , the lower the distortion , the better the sound , you want an affordable high power 300wpc amp , Crown Xli 800 , you want a lower power amp , discrete , reliable , exceptional preamp ...Yamaha A-S1200 I am going to disagree on this! With high sensitivity speakers, the overarching issue is whether there is any hiss, hum or buzzing in the background. Non-linearities causing distortion are another matter. Especially since the distortion is generally a function of overall level. If it is only putting out a few watts (and putting out plenty of sound) there will be very little distortion. That is the beauty of a high efficiency speaker. The down side is that any background noise from the amp will be quite audible. Over at DIYAudio, there is fairly sophisticated discussion about "just how many watts do you need". The thread was started by a sharp guy ("Pano"). You would be surprised about what a tiny amount of wattage is actually required. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
henry4841 Posted May 21, 2022 Share Posted May 21, 2022 I need a lot of watts for my LaScala's to wake up. At least 5 or 6 watts. 🙂 3 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OO1 Posted May 21, 2022 Share Posted May 21, 2022 Cornwall speaker are rated at 100 wpc and so is a tiny Heresy , it's not 30wpc --- Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
henry4841 Posted May 21, 2022 Share Posted May 21, 2022 Just thought I would, any one thinking of purchasing a new amplifier for an efficient speaker like horns will be way better off thinking quality over quantity when it comes to power. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jason.justice Posted May 21, 2022 Author Share Posted May 21, 2022 14 minutes ago, henry4841 said: Just thought I would, any one thinking of purchasing a new amplifier for an efficient speaker like horns will be way better off thinking quality over quantity when it comes to power. Thanks bringing this back on topic. what are some new SS amps that would be a good match with cornwalls? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OO1 Posted May 22, 2022 Share Posted May 22, 2022 40 minutes ago, PrestonTom said: The down side is that any background noise from the amp will be quite audible. and big time lousy sound and ear fatigue Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shakeydeal Posted May 22, 2022 Share Posted May 22, 2022 1 hour ago, 001 said: way under powered , you need at minimum 90 wpc , distortion is key here , the lower the distortion , the better the sound , you want an affordable high power 300wpc amp , Crown Xli 800 , you want a lower power amp , discrete , reliable , exceptional preamp ...Yamaha A-S1200 Are you high? @jason.justice I will always recommend tubes first, but the Schiit Aegir is a very capable amp and has plenty of power for the Cornwalls. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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