Kids, cars and home electronics

[Krilons Resa]

Class A SS and Tube amplification usually is very low...then you have class D amplification with mega-watts. Depending on the efficiency of your speaker, and the type of music you listen to, you REALLY only need a few mere watts. Tubes (soft clip) have even order harmonics which are pleasing to the ear whereas SS (hard clip) has odd order which is harsh to the human ear. The reason for the efficient class D amps to have that crazy headroom is to try and not have the amp clip because it sounds so fucked up not to mention damages your speakers if constant. It a lot more difficult than all this but ...ya know.

From what I understand, if say a speaker is 90db efficient, it takes 1 watt = 90db. 2 watts = 93db. 4 watts = 96db. 8 watts = 99db 16 watts = 102db ....then distance and room size has to do with it too. Also types of music like huge orchestral music which has immense swings in dynamics/dB. Most music nowadays outside of jazz/classical is highly compressed so you dont have to worry about that.

Seriously, there isn't many reasons to really take watts into consideration when looking for an amplifier. It's not like you're going the single-ended triode route so whatever amp you decide upon will probably have enough watts. You need to actually listen to them. Different manufacturers, amps, topologies, and technologies sound vastly different and watts really have nothing to do with it.

 

[Krilons Resa]

Mr. Gray, what exactly are you looking for/at?

 

[lurch70]

Class A SS and Tube amplification usually is very low...then you have class D amplification with mega-watts. Depending on the efficiency of your speaker, and the type of music you listen to, you REALLY only need a few mere watts. Tubes (soft clip) have even order harmonics which are pleasing to the ear whereas SS (hard clip) has odd order which is harsh to the human ear. The reason for the efficient class D amps to have that crazy headroom is to try and not have the amp clip because it sounds so fucked up not to mention damages your speakers if constant. It a lot more difficult than all this but ...ya know.

From what I understand, if say a speaker is 90db efficient, it takes 1 watt = 90db. 2 watts = 93db. 4 watts = 96db. 8 watts = 99db 16 watts = 102db ....then distance and room size has to do with it too. Also types of music like huge orchestral music which has immense swings in dynamics/dB. Most music nowadays outside of jazz/classical is highly compressed so you dont have to worry about that.

Seriously, there isn't many reasons to really take watts into consideration when looking for an amplifier. It's not like you're going the single-ended triode route so whatever amp you decide upon will probably have enough watts. You need to actually listen to them. Different manufacturers, amps, topologies, and technologies sound vastly different and watts really have nothing to do with it.

explanations like this lost me countless high end sales back in the days.

customer: ok, I'll take that all-in-one Aiwa mini system then for $129.99

 

[Krilons Resa]

HAHAHA

Lurch, let's build Herr Gray a system! What kinda dough are you working with Jonathan? What exactly are you looking to achieve? WHat have you been looking at so far? NAD, especially the newer ones from what I hear, makes a great mid-fi integrated.

 

[dorian gray]

explanations like this lost me countless high end sales back in the days.

customer: ok, I'll take that all-in-one Aiwa mini system then for $129.99

 

[Krilons Resa]

soon to be ... the baby room

LOL...just saw this. Naa, its been in the living room for a long while now.

 

[dorian gray]

hey Ken, thanks for the info, man.
I'm currently looking at these but I've also considered just about every different speaker they have to offer. I have around $1000 to spend on speakers. I think I can squeeze another $350 on top of that for whatever. So I have maybe $1350 for a new system. I currently have an ol' (2002) Kenwood "100 watts x 6" (rrriiiiiighhht) AVR and a Kenwood (2002) 5-disc carousel. They both work fine and dandy but I'd like to have at least a new amp along with my speakers. I could work a couple more days of OT next month and pick up a sweet new CD player then if I really need to.
OK, fuckers, build me a system!

 

[Krilons Resa]

I wouldnt necessarily worry about the CDP. If so, you can get a used Rotel RCD-1072 for about $450. That will make the least difference tbh, and you have to spend A LOT to get a little in that department beyond that Rotel. Even then, its not a HUGE difference. When I upgraded to the Rotel from a basic Onkyo carousel, it was a lot smoother, fluid, and ...musical sound. Less clunky, or truncated, so to speak. Tough to find the right words.

So, you have $1350 to spend on speakers and amp, or just speakers? Are you open to used gear? That's, by far, you're best bet.

 

[Krilons Resa]

I can go audition these and pick em up for you.

http://www.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?spkrmoni&1300550022&/Aperion-6Bs-Like-New!

 

[Krilons Resa]

Those Aperions you listed are super inefficient. 84db sensitivity @ 6 ohms? What led you to this manufacturer?

Also, are you primarily looking into "bookshelf" speakers? Is it a big room? Will they be placed close to a wall? Do you primarily listen to just metal/rock?

Here's a 3-way review with that speaker included: http://www.enjoythemusic.com/magazine/equipment/0509/aperion_intimus_5b_axiom_m2v2_paradigm_v6.htm

 

[lurch70]

i can never be a true audiophile as I like speakers that color the sound and have a real character of their own.

I had Paradigm's and Energy speakers at some point and while sounding pristine they bored me to tears.

holy fuck I used to love these speakers ... Klipsch KG 5's ... ridiculously sensitive with a horn tweeter that can will up a 30x30 room with ease

awesome for vocal stuff and hip-hop

 

[Krilons Resa]

For Metal/Rock, you cant go wrong with Klipsch, Polk, and certain Dynaudios like the M2/8 or M2/10. That type of music typically isnt recorded well and having a neutral speaker will only bring that out.

Also, optimally, floorstanders are the best for that wall of sound and kickdrum. Unless you go the subwoofer route but then thats a pain in the ass to phase correctly anyhow.

Im sure anything decent will be better than what you have now and make you shit-eatin happy though. Not that I know what you have now.

My crucial advice would be to get it, and totallt forget about anything else and dont read anything about speakers/amps, etc. Just be happy and enjoy the music.

 

[lurch70]

yeah a great floor stander with at least a 10" woofer is freaking awesome and no sub will beat it (maybe). i always found powered subs to be "ok" for sub sat systems as they help complete the sound and visually its amazing to hear "some" bass while you are staring at paperback size speakers.

but yeah, that kick-drum thing you mentioned just made me want to have a house where I can crank shit and buy some obnoxious speakers/amp.

 

[lurch70]

the aforementioned KG 5's ... used to sell them at $1400 a pair.

it was mostly Mexican dudes buying them blowing a month's paycheck on them.

all i needed to do was take of the cover and show them the insanely vibrating drivers.

 

[lurch70]

do it!

http://cgi.ebay.com/Klipsch-KG-5-5-...29?pt=Speakers_Subwoofers&hash=item2560083235

So, you have $1350 to spend on speakers and amp, or just speakers? Are you open to used gear? That's, by far, you're best bet.

hahhha ... just read this. translated = you ain't getting even hi end speakers wires for that budget you cheap gypsy.

 

[dorian gray]

hey guys, thanks alot for the info

 

[lurch70]

you want to buy the extended warranty? it's only $89.99 for 5 year!

 

[dorian gray]

can I get two of them?

 

[lurch70]

second one free for you my friend ... of course in return you share "the pic"

 

[dorian gray]

apparently I'm getting another one here in a little while

why would someone do that?
seems wierd to me. I suppose I shouldn't complain.