Is 5 Watts enough for Horns ?


How much power is enough to drive a 107dB sensitivity Avantgarde ?
Is 5 Watts from A 300B SET enough?
Consider that the Subwoofer of the Avantgarde has its own high power amplifier (each woofer 500 Watts)so the work in the bass department is largely taken up by the subwoofer amp.
I have seen McIntosh MC501 power amps connected to 107dB sensitivity Avantgardes and seldom did hit the 5 Watt mark on the meters when cranking the volume up to hurting levels.
0.5 Watts was what the meters show at normal listening levels.
eljaro

Showing 1 response by sdrsdrsdr

I have Trio 2.2 (8 ohms). I have used Viva Aurora (845 set)monos for three years. Mine has the transformer input. This is a must with horns, the tube input version is too noisy. Mine is dead quiet. Recently I tried a friends Wavac 300b. Enough power. The 845's are just totally more effortless though and better balanced (very extended at the extremes). I also have now a Yamamoto A-08s (45 set). It is ok sounding in comparison but not as good as the Viva. It is also enough power. With trios you have a speaker that is capable of effortless dynamics and presence. You will not get this from a 45 set. With the 45 set the trios aren't that much better sounding than dynamic speakers. I would go with a minimum of a 300b or maybe the Art Audio PX-25 I keep hearing so much about. My 845 IMO is much better than these and not just in power, all other areas too, very clean sounding. I have not heard the px-25 in my system though. 845 amps are very expensive to build and if one is chosen it must be of the best quality or I would chose something else. There are only a few manufacturers building to this quality. I have heard many comments saying the 845 tube is not an audio tube and can't compete with the lower powered tubes. Yes, for many lower priced 845 amps out there. But when it is built right, and top quality, IMO it is hard to compete with it.