Benbanksy Posted January 27 Posted January 27 Why are high powered Solid State amplifiers recommended for the Klipsch Chorus I? I've been very happy driving my Chorus I's with the 70 wpc Marantz PM8006. When I initially got the Chorus, though, several commented that they do better with a high powered (>100 wpc) Solid State amp. I tend to list at low to moderate volumes, rarely getting into the "dangerous levels", and even then the Marantz is very capable of getting to those volumes with the Chorus. The music that I really love listening to on these speakers is Classical (including orchestral and symphony), but I enjoy a truly wide range of music almost daily (from Hildegaard von Bingen to Sexyy Red). Why is high powered SS recommended? Would it definitely perform better than something like Willsenston R8 tube amp? 1 Quote
CWOReilly Posted January 27 Posted January 27 Having used a low powered amp around 20 watts for the Chorus I can’t say they sound bad, but a Phase Linear 400 has a lot more grunt. Not that I’d ever want 200 watts, it’s certainly good for headroom. I have found that any good amp over 50 watts is more than sufficient in my space. 1 Quote
oldtimer Posted January 27 Posted January 27 High power often pairs with higher quality. The complex sounds of orchestral music certainly benefit from ample headroom and an amp of comparatively higher quality will make the music sound clearer and better at the same volume as a lesser amp. Look for quality and focus less on potential volume and enjoy. 1 Quote
Toz Posted January 27 Posted January 27 If you aren't cranking the volume up to crazy party levels, I wouldn't think you need more power. Some of the best listening I've done with the efficient Klipsch designs has been with 5-35 watts. I've also used 100, 150, and 205 watts and didn't think it sounded better at all. 2 Quote
Benbanksy Posted January 27 Author Posted January 27 (edited) 41 minutes ago, oldtimer said: High power often pairs with higher quality. The complex sounds of orchestral music certainly benefit from ample headroom and an amp of comparatively higher quality will make the music sound clearer and better at the same volume as a lesser amp. Look for quality and focus less on potential volume and enjoy. I'm considering a Rotel 1582 (200wpc) or a similarly priced Willsenton R8 Tube amp... I'm interested in tubes but that integrated tube amp is just 40 wpc. On the other hand, I'd have tons of headroom wit the Rotel. Unfortunately I can't get both or demo since they're used. Edited January 27 by Benbanksy Quote
Edgar Posted January 27 Posted January 27 In a typical Class-AB amplifier, the highest distortion is at the lowest power levels. So if your 200 Watt amp is always operating under 1 Watt, you're experiencing more distortion than you have to. https://community.klipsch.com/index.php?/topic/226972-driving-your-speakers-with-more-power-than-they-need/&do=findComment&comment=2847532 1 Quote
Benbanksy Posted January 27 Author Posted January 27 7 minutes ago, Edgar said: In a typical Class-AB amplifier, the highest distortion is at the lowest power levels. So if your 200 Watt amp is always operating under 1 Watt, you're experiencing more distortion than you have to. https://community.klipsch.com/index.php?/topic/226972-driving-your-speakers-with-more-power-than-they-need/&do=findComment&comment=2847532 That is a helpful thread, particularly your comment there. I guess the question then is--does higher powered amp help certain drivers, even at lower output? I remember reading something about the large 15" woofers of the Chorus benefitting from high powered SS for some reason including at low listening volumes. Don't know if that's real, but FWIW I also have an SVS sub hooked up, which fills out the low end well at low listening volumes. Quote
Edgar Posted January 27 Posted January 27 14 minutes ago, Benbanksy said: I guess the question then is--does higher powered amp help certain drivers, even at lower output? I suspect that it can be beneficial for drivers that require a lot of headroom, such as woofers or subwoofers. But it's only conjecture on my part. 1 Quote
jcn3 Posted February 25 Posted February 25 the size of the room is a significant factor. i used quicksilver mid monos (~30 w/channel with el34s) that sounded awesome with my chorus 1s in a medium-sized room. also, power supplies and/or output transformer design make a big difference in how amps sound -- it's not all watts. 2 Quote
Bubba_Buoy Posted March 7 Posted March 7 (edited) I think it is a "general" thought about Chorus speakers, that they are a bit less sensitive (the woofers mainly) than most other Heritage speakers. So with more power and headroom, they can deliver the bass with greater ease and oomph and really sing. Your amp is likely PLENTY of power. Room placement matters a lot too. I have Chorus II's and have had great luck with a higher-powered amps. I bought the speakers from a guy who had an 8W SET amp and couldn't get them to make the bass he wanted and he was much happier with his Cornwalls, and thus sold his Chorus to me.✌️ Edited March 7 by Bubba_Buoy 2 Quote
CWOReilly Posted March 7 Posted March 7 4 hours ago, Bubba_Buoy said: I think it is a "general" thought about Chorus speakers, that they are a bit less sensitive (the woofers mainly) than most other Heritage speakers. So with more power and headroom, they can deliver the bass with greater ease and oomph and really sing. Your amp is likely PLENTY of power. Room placement matters a lot too. I have Chorus II's and have had great luck with a higher-powered amps. I bought the speakers from a guy who had an 8W SET amp and couldn't get them to make the bass he wanted and he was much happier with his Cornwalls, and thus sold his Chorus to me.✌️ I think any speaker with a passive needs more power to wake it up. 1 Quote
Klipsch Employees Trey Cannon Ex-employee Posted March 7 Klipsch Employees Posted March 7 To do the work of moving the mass of a 15 in woofer you need current. Big power SS amps have lots of it...It is all about headroom. Even PWK ditched the glass and went SS...using PRO CINEMS BGW amps. 4 Quote
Benbanksy Posted March 10 Author Posted March 10 (edited) Thanks @Trey Cannon Ex-employee-- a BGW amp would be something! Seems like I should go for as neutral as possible--Rotel or Bryston might fit the bill. I'm guessing 250 wpc is what I should aim for. To satisfy the tube itch, I got a vintage Conrad Johnson tube pre-amp as I wait for the right SS amp. The textures of the mids is like having instruments and voices right in the room. Edited March 10 by Benbanksy 1 Quote
Klipsch Employees Trey Cannon Ex-employee Posted March 12 Klipsch Employees Posted March 12 Ben, Look at the local music store to see if they have used pro amps. I just picked up a 450Wpc QSC for $175. 3 Quote
the real Duke Spinner Posted March 18 Posted March 18 A classic is the Flame Linear 400 Used one for years Now it's a Crown macro tech It's all about headroom 1 Quote
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