FWIW, there is an old audiophile axiom: that one should start with at least 2 X the minimum power recommendation of the speaker manufacturer. Though a more accurate deduction can be made with more tangible information such as room size, etc.. Surprisingly enough, I've found this seemingly crude rule of thumb to be consistently useful. |
I wonder if the OP should be more concerned about sitting so close to the Vandersteens than the question at hand. The Vandersteens are fine a product and a terrific value, but I doubt one can truly enjoy all the prowess of the Vandersteens at 1.5 meters. I suspect that one would need close to 2.5 meters for proper driver integrating and all the benefits that come from the Vandersteens with such driver integration. If I recall correctly Vandersteen recommends a minimum of 40 Watts per channel for an appropriately place pair of Vandertsteen 2's. |
Generally speaking, phase coherence without time coherence negates the advantages. Most speakers that are time and phase coherent tend to have impedance's that generally work better with ss. |
Digepix, if you have a solid wall 3' behind the listening position, you might want to consider putting some absorptive material on that wall behind you, and moving your sitting position further back from the speakers. Not only will you get the rather considerable (with Vandersteens) benefits of driver integration and all advantages that come with it, you just might get better bass response at the listening position as well. |
Unless there is something behind you, the wheel chair might actually be an advantage in this particular case.
In answer to your question, I'm not sure if the YBA or the Krell will sound better, but I'd think the Krell would work more effortlessly. If that effortlessness makes for better sound, only you can decide. I suspect it could. |
Opps, hit the click to quick. I haven't heard the YBA's in some time, and honestly don't have a recollection of their sound. With that said, the Krells, have legendary tight bass, something that could help with the Vandys somewhat woolly bass. On the other hand despite claims to the contrary, the upper end of the Krells are not bright, in fact they're a bit dark. I think some confuse the bit of grain that Krells produce in this area with brightness. In any event, the Vandys can be a bit dark in this region too. So you might be concerned about doubling up on those traits. |
Digepix, sounds like you've found your answer. Good listenig.:-) |
FWIW, all other things being equal, a speaker that's capable of true live volume peaks would be better. With that said, my priorities and budget considerations would let me compromise on ultimate sheer live volume levels before other considerations. Still, for me an otherwise fine speaker like the Quad ESL's don't cut it. Though it really comes down to what the given room could accommodate, I would prefer that a speaker could at least cleanly produce about 100 dB volume peaks. I really don't think the occasional symphony crescendo is really going to do long term damage to ones ears, it's the sustained high stadium volume rock concert thing that causes long term hearing damage. Just having a system that can achieve a scaled to the room volume level of a live performance, without the worrying anticipation of oncoming distortion or even just strain, makes the listening so much more enjoyable. |
OOps, clicked too soon again. I not convinced that a similar circuit producing less volume will always sound better that a scaled up version of the same circuit producing more power. Sure, I've heard the argument that it's harder to match more output devices. On the other hand, if those collective devices can maintain their maximum potential before strain longer, it's quite possible that the higher powered amp might sound better. Furthermore, in some Class AB amps, there is a given % of bias in Class A before sliding into Class B. Therefore, the same circuit with greater power output can maintain the often preferred Class A bias longer. ...And all this with less of the worrisome anticipation of strain or even worse clipping. I don't think there is a hard and fast rule here. IME, it depends on the line of amplifiers being considered. The sweet spot in a line of amps can be at the low, middle or high output. Heck, sometimes samples to samples might vary. The application is the most important concern. IME, I'd rather have a little too much power (awarding a generous grace period if you will), rather than not enough. |
Digepix, I'm very glad you've truly come to find the answer, as it most importantly pertains to you. Considering all the parameters you've mentioned, I'm not surprised that you have found your power requirements to be somewhat modest, and in keeping with the speaker manufactures suggested range. I would caution others not to jump to conclusions about the superiority of low power vs. high power, as the samples used in this case varied in too many other ways.
I'm truly impressed that you were able to do the Herculean endeavor of moving all those amps around, including a 100 Watt Krell(!), all the while in a wheel chair. Too bad Audiogon has removed the e-mail function from this site. Though some of us often disagree, I'm confident that if any of us were in your locale, some would have gladly offered you a hand.
Relax and enjoy. You deserve it. |
