2. amps-preamps
  3. 1033694726

Can I

I was using the Audio Electronic Supply (AES) SE-1 SET amp (300B tube, 7W) with AES AE-3 (tube rectifier) preamp with Axiom M22ti (94 dB) and CAL Ikon2 CD player.

Last month I got a pair of Maggies 1.6 and have been using the NAD C740 receiver (35W, just using the power amp section) to drive the Maggies as I was afraid that it would be too much for the SET amp. The result was alright, better than nothing type.

Anyway, since I got back from my fall photo trip in CO, I was very unsatisfied with the result (probably also the combination of new speaker and interconnect cables I just got from Zu) I wasn't very happy with it and miss my SET sound a lot.

So this evening I braved it up and hooked up the AES SE-1 to drive Maggies. The result was blessing and brought Jennifer Warnes, Eva Cassidy and so on back into my room again.

As my room is very small (10x15') and I sit only about 8' from the maggies (they are about 7' apart), I listen at relative low level. The volume position for my comfortable level of listening is about 9-10 O'Clock on my Preamp. Haven't pass 12 at all.

Can I risk damaging any of my equipment this way? I know if I over drive it (play too loud) I will overload the amp and chain reaction disaster might happen. But as I listen to relatively low level, I think it should be OK. Only drawback I know is that I am not using the full capability of the maggies as they sing when played loud.

Any thought on this would be really appreciated.

Ake
ake

Showing 1 response by plato

plato
1,543 posts
 
In many cases, tube amplifiers can be driven into clipping without damaging speakers like their solid-state counterparts often do. Plus, the Maggie tweeter is fused, so I wouldn't worry about it -- especially since you are using good judgement in keeping the volume low.

If you want to be extra careful you can always contact the amp's manufacturer and run it by them. They ought to know exactly how their amp behaves when overdriven...
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