I recently completed the Pensil 7.3 and have just passed the 100hr mark for break in. Now that I can run them a bit louder I'm extremely impressed. So much detail and resolution in the Alpair 7.3 yet they are still liquid and inviting. I've always loved time/phase coherent multi-ways and single drivers take that to another level. Of course I'm missing the visceral impact of a large driver horn system but it's a compromise I think I can live with. These things are intoxicating!
In the interest of getting the absolute best sound out of them I'm considering upgrading my electronics. I am currently using a Yaquin MC-10L integrated that has been modified with high end caps and a better volume pot and selector switch. The sound is very good but I feel like there is an even more magical combination out there. Don't we always feel that way? I use a mix of Vinyl and Digital Files (mostly high resolution).
My question concerns using the ALP 7.3 with low wattage single ended tube amps. Will I be able to push them to loudish listening levels (~90dB) with say a 300B SET or something like the Decware SE34I.4 which offers 6 watts? My room is on the small side which helps.
In the interest of getting the absolute best sound out of them I'm considering upgrading my electronics. I am currently using a Yaquin MC-10L integrated that has been modified with high end caps and a better volume pot and selector switch. The sound is very good but I feel like there is an even more magical combination out there. Don't we always feel that way? I use a mix of Vinyl and Digital Files (mostly high resolution).
My question concerns using the ALP 7.3 with low wattage single ended tube amps. Will I be able to push them to loudish listening levels (~90dB) with say a 300B SET or something like the Decware SE34I.4 which offers 6 watts? My room is on the small side which helps.
In a 85dB/W/m driver, 6W will get you ~93dB at 1m. If you listen at 2m, 87dB. Ok, so you have two speakers, so this goes back up to 90dB for 2m unless you only listen to hard-panned dawn-of-stereo records. 🙂 I don't know how these amps behave in terms of headroom, THD and and transient performance, but if we assume a (rather small) peak factor of 10dB in the source material, 80dB average level will be the max. Room gain/modes and how the two speakers actually "add" their output will vary this, perhaps a tad in your favor, but not by a whole lot. Whoever designed the enclosures (Scottmoose?) could tell you about the excursion and thermal limits that will come into play with more powerful amplifiers.
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I can highly recommend the Texas Instruments TPA3116D2 amp with full range speakers. I have 5 variants of them - and they sound excellent with full range speakers. Superb clarity, resolution and detail, excellent bass and dynamics, open soundstage. Just add a 19 volt laptop brick power supply. For $20 you really don't have much to lose if you don't like it - but I bet you will as the many satisfied folks on the TPA3116D2 thread can attest (http://www.diyaudio.com/forums/class-d/237086-tpa3116d2-amp.html).
The YJ "Blue/Black" TPA3116D2 amp designed by diyAudio member Danzz is available here (YJ lifted the design straight from the class D forum):
Yuan Jing Audio - ON SALE! - TPA3116 Class-D 2.0 Stereo Amplifier Board [50W+50W] - $19.99
This particular variant was designed to be user upgradable with fancy input caps, better inductors, etc.
Sounds great stock and many have compared it to sounding better than a good tube amp. If you want to play with upgrades, they include: 330 uF Panasonic OSCON pwoer rail caps, TDK X7R 220 nF bootstrap caps, 3.2 uF metalized poly input caps, Coilcraft 10 uH shielded inductors. Check out thread for details.
Good luck!
The YJ "Blue/Black" TPA3116D2 amp designed by diyAudio member Danzz is available here (YJ lifted the design straight from the class D forum):
Yuan Jing Audio - ON SALE! - TPA3116 Class-D 2.0 Stereo Amplifier Board [50W+50W] - $19.99
This particular variant was designed to be user upgradable with fancy input caps, better inductors, etc.
Sounds great stock and many have compared it to sounding better than a good tube amp. If you want to play with upgrades, they include: 330 uF Panasonic OSCON pwoer rail caps, TDK X7R 220 nF bootstrap caps, 3.2 uF metalized poly input caps, Coilcraft 10 uH shielded inductors. Check out thread for details.
Good luck!
While I have yet to try on fullrange drivers, I do love my ICEpower 50ASX2 modules. These are bi-amping my TD15M and BMS 4550 drivers. I keep meaning to set up my FF125K's over the TD15M's as helper woofers and see what they can do if I take bass duty away from them.
A short answer to the question in your last sentence would be : maybe - particularly if you High Pass them and run powered woofer(s) I'd consider that before upgrade to any fancy schmancy tube gear. Don't get me wrong, I'd never counsel against both, but just in the "right" sequence . 😀
The TPA3116 certainly is a great little bargain - even if like me you're too lazy to completely DIY one, and buy an all parts in kit. Will it have all the magic triode cream, soundstage depth and low level fine resolution of a 300B, or the Decware? - perhaps not, but even a factory built unit would cost less than the upgrades to your Yaquin.
The TPA3116 certainly is a great little bargain - even if like me you're too lazy to completely DIY one, and buy an all parts in kit. Will it have all the magic triode cream, soundstage depth and low level fine resolution of a 300B, or the Decware? - perhaps not, but even a factory built unit would cost less than the upgrades to your Yaquin.
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You'll just have to try some amps, as some prefer more power, and some are happy with less. KT88 SE UL is another option, which would give you some "headroom" vs the others you mentioned.
jeff
Well I ordered that YJ amp. For $27 shipped it'll be a fun little project even if I end up using it for something other than my main system. I'll need a pre-amp now too but that's easy enough.
Thanks for all of the suggestions. I do listen to Pink Floyd and other rock on occasion so I think I'll stick with something a little higher powered. Maybe a parallel single ended triode, who knows.
Thanks for all of the suggestions. I do listen to Pink Floyd and other rock on occasion so I think I'll stick with something a little higher powered. Maybe a parallel single ended triode, who knows.
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