Connecting 2 sets of speakers to a tube amp


I am wondering if connecting one set of 8 ohm speakers to the 8 ohm taps on a tube amplifier, and a second set of 4 ohm speakers to the 4 ohm taps utilizing the same neg. tap on the amplifier is possible and will it hurt the amp? Any other problems? Thanks for your help
skoda345

Showing 2 responses by robsker

What I have done with my tube amp (Ayon Spirit II) is utilize the pre-out and send that signal to a second integrated amplifier through which I power a second pair of speakers. My tube amp powers the 4 ohm speakers (Montana EPS2's) and a McIntosh integrated powers my back speakers (8 ohm Vandersteen 2a's). This prevents entirely the problems that Almarg mentioned above. Further, with two integrated's I can taylor the front vs. back speakers beautifully. Running two channel 4 speakers makes the system sound DRAMATICALLY larger, more full, and realistic with vastly superior sound stage. The difference between the 2channl/4 speaker and the 2 channel/2 speaker is staggering (akin to tripling system cost or more)

So... that is what you should consider doing. Of course, your tube integrated needs to have a pre-out to do it...
Skoda:

let me know how you like the pre-out to a second preamp setup. I am sure you will love it. You can set the relative volume of the backfill speakers with the volume of the second amp... and none of the problems that were listed by other posters is an issue. Again... let me know how you like it.

My system at 2 channel/4 speakers for a total of 22K outperforms (or equals) ANY 2 channel/2 speaker system for 40K. No exaggeration. the 2 channel/4 speaker route is an unbeatable performance-to-cost upgrade. Enjoy.