InventiveAudio.com Posted July 27, 2004 Share Posted July 27, 2004 Hi, I've been playing around with some home brewed tube amps I bought off Ebay with great results. I was wondering what your opinion is on the best amp design for super effecient Klipsch speakers? I don't care about watts per channel. I can easily be happy with 2-5 watts. I want a huge sound stage, sweet mids and highs and tight bass ( I run a sub so bass can be a compromise if need be. Right now I have a small Tube amp based on a 6BQ5 tube. Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
leok Posted July 27, 2004 Share Posted July 27, 2004 Take a look up at "To SET or not to SET." There are a few opinions there. Leo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NOSValves Posted July 27, 2004 Share Posted July 27, 2004 Only a few Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ben. Posted July 27, 2004 Share Posted July 27, 2004 Well, only two opinions, really. 1) Low powered SET may satisfy you; it depends on many variables, but it can be very rewarding if it meets your needs. 2) 20 Watts is the absolute minimum power you should use with any Klipsch speaker. If you think you are happy with less than 20W, you are fooling yourself, or you just have poor taste. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NOSValves Posted July 27, 2004 Share Posted July 27, 2004 LOL Ben ! I think there are many more opinions then that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fini Posted July 27, 2004 Share Posted July 27, 2004 Gee, I don't think that question has been asked here before! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neo33 Posted July 27, 2004 Share Posted July 27, 2004 "2) 20 Watts is the absolute minimum power you should use with any Klipsch speaker." There is no such thing as an "absolute"! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
3dzapper Posted July 27, 2004 Share Posted July 27, 2004 Ben, If some of my amps are under 20watts. Does that mean I taste bad? Rick Edit: To be perfectly frank, Klipsch speakers sound terrible without an amplifier. I hardily recommend one of ample power to satisfy yourself in your room with the style and type of music you listen to at the volume with which you are comfortable. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ben. Posted July 27, 2004 Share Posted July 27, 2004 ---------------- On 7/27/2004 12:24:45 PM neo33 wrote: "2) 20 Watts is the absolute minimum power you should use with any Klipsch speaker." There is no such thing as an "absolute"! ---------------- I know. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neo33 Posted July 27, 2004 Share Posted July 27, 2004 Ben, I know you "know". . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ben. Posted July 27, 2004 Share Posted July 27, 2004 In case my post was taken the wrong way, it was intended to represent the two trains of thought regarding the subject at hand. The vast majority of forum members will agree that the first opinion is reasonable. This one guy, though, insists on sticking to his guns in camp #2. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ben. Posted July 27, 2004 Share Posted July 27, 2004 ---------------- On 7/27/2004 12:45:19 PM neo33 wrote: Ben, I know you "know". . ---------------- Good! Now I know that you know that I know. And that is a fact... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Parrot Posted July 27, 2004 Share Posted July 27, 2004 ---------------- On 7/27/2004 12:46:15 PM bclarke421 wrote: This one guy, though, insists on sticking to his guns in camp #2. ---------------- I'm certainly not holding a minority view. It's just that most people don't bother with arguing against the obvious fallacies. There's only a handful of people in denial here; they just happen to be extremely vociferous. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ben. Posted July 27, 2004 Share Posted July 27, 2004 ---------------- On 7/27/2004 1:08:48 PM paulparrot wrote: ---------------- On 7/27/2004 12:46:15 PM bclarke421 wrote: This one guy, though, insists on sticking to his guns in camp #2. ---------------- ...most people don't bother with arguing against the obvious fallacies. There's only a handful of people in denial here; they just happen to be extremely vociferous. ---------------- I think you're right about that, just not in the way that you think you are. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fini Posted July 27, 2004 Share Posted July 27, 2004 ---------------- On 7/27/2004 12:29:30 PM 3dzapper wrote: To be perfectly frank, Klipsch speakers sound terrible without an amplifier. ---------------- And the amplifier doesn't sound so hot if the speakers stay in the box! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guy Landau Posted July 27, 2004 Share Posted July 27, 2004 ---------------- On 7/27/2004 1:08:48 PM paulparrot wrote: I'm certainly not holding a minority view. It's just that most people don't bother with arguing against the obvious fallacies. There's only a handful of people in denial here; they just happen to be extremely vociferous. ---------------- Most Klipsch owners use high power SS amplifiers and crappy HT receivers anyway. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NOSValves Posted July 27, 2004 Share Posted July 27, 2004 ---------------- On 7/27/2004 1:34:31 PM Guy Landau wrote: ---------------- On 7/27/2004 1:08:48 PM paulparrot wrote: I'm certainly not holding a minority view. It's just that most people don't bother with arguing against the obvious fallacies. There's only a handful of people in denial here; they just happen to be extremely vociferous. ---------------- Most Klipsch owners use high power SS amplifiers and crappy HT receivers anyway. ---------------- So sad but yet so true ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neo33 Posted July 27, 2004 Share Posted July 27, 2004 "I'm certainly not holding a minority view." I only see you, Paul. I admire your bravery! You deserve a "Purple Heart". . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
InventiveAudio.com Posted July 27, 2004 Author Share Posted July 27, 2004 Well my little set amp puts out 2-4 watts and it sounds wonderful. If you like your windows to rattle and your ears to bleed then 20 watts is minimum. Tube watts are not the same as SS watts. The warm sound and 2nd order harmonics tames my K-horns and gives a wonderful sound that my ears revel in. I've only heard a Scott tube amp on my speakers so I don't have much to compare with. I conducted an A/B test of the tube little amp against my mono-block 5 channel SS amp Bryston like. I ran the amp directly off the CD player and the SS amp via the preamp. I wanted to like my SS amp better so I could take the little amp upstairs to tame my Cornwall's. Not so. The little amp sounded warmer with better mids and highs. The SS amp did have a better bass response but overall sounded harsh in comparison, especially when the volume is turned up. My SS amp has gotten rave reviews so I know that it is one of the better sounding SS amps you can buy. I didn't want to invest in vintage equipment because the cost of bringing it up to date is really expensive in many cases. I thought I would gamble with a hardcore hobbyist who has built many amps, has done extensive testing with the amp and has used all new caps, capacitors, etc. I only paid 125.00 for the amp and it came with Webcor tubes made by Mullard and a Telefunken driver tube. Not a bad find. Anyway, I was hoping to get some real answers. There are tradeoffs with each tube design. Set amps are minimalist with very few parts in the signal path. While a PP amp is quite complicated to get right. I'm no expert and am just learning but there are many Klipsch owners who have set amps and are very happy. So the 20 watt rule doesn't apply to everyone. I would still like to hear opinions from those who have compared the different tube designs side-by-side. Anyone?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ben. Posted July 27, 2004 Share Posted July 27, 2004 Sounds like you've got a pretty good handle on it, trader. What's your budgetary limitations? Other parameters would help, too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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