4 ohm vs 8 ohm taps


I just had my CJ MV75A1 tube amp rebuilt and the tech put on new binding posts and put the 4 ohm taps on them. I always thought 8 ohms was the most common but I dont know much about this subject. Two two sets of speakers I would use with the amp are either my Vandersteen 2CIs or my Klipsch La Scalas which with the new crossovers are 8 ohms . My other amps are all running the 8 ohm taps right now. I could use enlightening on this whole subject. Carl
solarcarl

Showing 1 response by cford

Normally the 8 ohm tap would be correct but:
The 8 ohm tap will output 2x the voltage but 1/2 the current as the 4 ohm tap. However speakers impedence is not purely resistive and depending on the impedence vs freq. profile of your speakers, the 4 ohm tap might be better. Try both (as long as you don't listen too loud) to see which sounds best to you.