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For efficient speakers, how much difference does an amp really make?

I have ascend sierra RAAL tower speakers with 90-93db efficiency and 300W continuous power handling. I’m powering them with dual outlaw M2200 monoblock class AB/G amps rated at 200W into 8 ohms. It sounds good...but i can’t help but wondering if a different amp would provide greater clarity and low-end grunt.

I have been curious about an older adcom amp like the GFA-555 II or perhaps a parasound halo amp like the A23. 

To those who have had multiple amps in your setup, did you find significant sonic differences between amps, or is a subtle thing? I don’t want to start collecting amps, but I don’t want to deny myself the chance to improve my system further. Thoughts?
dtrandall

Showing 2 responses by scothurwitz

scothurwitz
113 posts
 
Hey dtrandal

The amp can make a huge difference. At 90-93db efficiency your speakers are very efficient and will work with a lot of amps. If you prefer solid state (I don’t know your budget) I would listen to the Pass Labs little 30 wpc pure class A model XA30.8 which is balanced. If you’re ok with single ended his pure class A model XA25, both sound great. I own the XA30.8 and my speakers are 83 dB! It drives them effortlessly all day long and always remained so musical. There’s also a lot of great tube amps out there as well. Any good quality 50 watt tube amp would be all you would ever need. Good luck.

Scot
scothurwitz
113 posts
 
Hey doni,

My comment on the Pass Labs "little" 30 wpc xa30.8 was just referring to the watts per channel. The watts per channel on a spec sheet really doesn't mean much and certainly doesn't tell you what the amp sounds like.

Yes, you are correct, there is a reason it weighs 93 (88 net) lbs, Nelson Pass understands the importance of and knows how to build a well made power supply. That "little" amp is ALL power supply. His newer xa25 is also supposed to be great amp (if you don't want or need balanced). There's a reviewer for "The Audio Beatnick" online magazine that owns both of those amps and he feels the xa25 sounds even better (in certain area) than the xa30.8.  

I had that xa30.8 amp connected to a pair of Magnepan 3.7i's WITH a pair of their DWM woofers wired in parallel (talk about a difficult load) which presents a constant 2 ohm load to the amp and that amp handled it without even breaking a sweat! I ran that system like that for 3 years and never once had a problem with it. It was one of the most musical sounding setups I have ever owned.

Scot 
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