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Tube amps for classical music FU29 vs EL34

I'm not familuar with the sound of different tubes/tube amps. I have a a Jadis intergrated has 4 KT90's, and has a good sound, but the speakers limit the amp. Soon to be rectified, new speakers with a 87db rating late this summer. But I'd like to get another amp for primary system, keep the Jadis for a second system. I'm looking at 2 tube amps, one has 4 EL34's the other 4FU29's, both intergrated amps. I'm guessing the EL's will sound like the KT90's, and have more bass end. But with classical, I can forgo some "punch". The FU's look like it may offer more complexity in the mids, for orchestration and vocals/opera. Right track?
bartokfan

Showing 1 response by elevick

elevick
2,636 posts
 
Your speakers, simply put, are NOT tube friendly. 87db just doesn't cut it. If you want some strong, tight bass at reasonable volumes, you should consider at least 90db speakers if not more.
Your EL34 amp is probably 40 watts. To drive your speakers to 90db takes double the wattage. This really adds up:
1 watt = 87db
2 watts = 90db
4 watts = 93db
Your 40 watt amp on 87db speakers will net you approximately 103db. If you had a pair of 94db speakers, the same amps would produce approximately 110db. Rule of thumb is you double your "perceived" volume for every 10db increase.
Also, keep in mind that bass uses the bulk of the power. So, if bass is an issue, you should be looking at something like 100watt amps.
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