2. amps-preamps
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Extra power or cleaner power?

I'm putting a system together and am thinking through some of the factors which might contribute to the overall sound quality. I realize that testing things out as I go is the best way, so I'm asking this question not to get advice about what to do next but to understand how folks understand and weigh these factors.

Let's start with a predicted factor -- the speakers. From the speaker description:

Anticipated speakers: Salk SS 6M
Response +/- 3db — 35Hz - 40kHz
Sensitivity — 90 db
Impedance — 8 ohms
Amplification — 50 watts (or 30wpc, tube amp)
Alignment — Front slot port
Dimensions — 9 W x 20 H x 14 D

Some (atma-sphere, decooney) have suggested on this forum that even a 60 wpc tube would be great for these speakers. So, here's my question —

Assume that I could get a very good 40 wpc tube amp to drive these speakers to sufficient listening levels (85 db at about 10 feet), for my kind of music (jazz, classical), and peaks in my (400 sq ft) listening space.

With these assumptions, the question becomes one of priorities. I could either spend additional dollars to (a) buy a more powerful amp or (b) spend that money on a power regenerator. Also assume that if I do *not* buy a regenerator, I'd still do *something* to improve the power (some kind of improvement but much less expense).

The question is: with those assumptions, what do you think would add more to the sound quality? More power or cleaner power?

Perhaps this is an impossible theoretical question to answer. If so, I'd like to know that, too!

Thanks!
128x128hilde45

Showing 1 response by millercarbon

millercarbon's avatar
millercarbon
12,531 posts
 
Please see my system and read the description. It is written not only to share my philosophy but especially intended to help people just like you. 
https://systems.audiogon.com/systems/8367 The answers to all your questions are in there, you just have to read and study to learn. 

There is even a sense of poetry to it. You will notice for example nothing about speaker frequency response or sensitivity. Instead you will notice the phrase, "Everything either contributes or detracts, and no one single component is any more or less important than any other." One elegant sentence and already you know its not about power conditioners or regenerators or power cords for that matter. Its about finding the one thing you can change so that your system does less harm to the music. 

So then you ask, well which one then? And how do I know? And since the answer is in the music you cross all your technical questions right off the list, and all these technical answers right along with them, and go and listen. You will see.
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