A Set Amp for 84db Speakers

For 84dB speakers, you'll probably need to look at the Wavac 833C Monoblocks or the NAT Transmitter Monoblocs Tube amps. You'll need more than 50W of SET power for these speakers to come alive if you want to try SET.

Some 805 and 811 tube amps may probably works depending on how loud you normally listen on your 84dB speakers.

Or get a pair of 100dB speakers and you can use a 45 tube SET amps with 1.5W of power. And Save some real $$$$$ with the speaker upgrade and ability to run all the low power SET amps out there.
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.Thou shall not stand where I type for I carry a bottle of Certified Audiophile Air and a Pure Silver Whip.

RE: A Set Amp for 84db Speakers, posted on April 18, 2015 at 10:54:07

onemug
Audiophile

Posts: 1276
Location: So. California
Joined: April 19, 2003

Normally I wouldn't recommend an SET amp for 84db speakers...but...if the impedance of your speaker is fairly flat, hopefully close to 8 ohm, and you don't play your music very loud, I used an Art Audio Carissa Signature (18 watt/845 tube) on my Magnepan 3.6's (83db) happily on occasion. With a volume control and only one input, it's the closest thing that I can think of.

fwiw, I use a pair of Cary 805AE SET monoblocks with the Maggies (50 or 70 watts depending on output tube) with great results but these are amps, not integrated. Just pointing out that it can be done.

RE: A Set Amp for 84db Speakers, posted on April 18, 2015 at 11:08:40

Maxamillion
Audiophile

Posts: 856
Location: New Jersey
Joined: May 26, 2006

These will work great...but you'll need to build them...
Also not integrated.

http://www.AudioAsylum.com/forums/set/messages/7/79126.html

Not without knowing more about the electrical load it presents to your amp, posted on April 18, 2015 at 21:55:55
Frihed89 Audiophile Posts: 15703 Location: Copenhagen Joined: March 21, 2005	That said an 83dB sensitive LS3/5a can sound very good on a 9W 300B amplifier because it is impedance is above 8 ohms from 50Hz up, and averages close to 15 ohms between 50Hz and 20KHz.

RE: A Set Amp for 84db Speakers, posted on April 19, 2015 at 09:10:41
Mick Wolfe Audiophile Posts: 3365 Location: AZ Joined: October 10, 1999 Contributor Since: September 4, 2000	Another integrated to consider might be the Line Magnetic 219ia.

Too little power & not actually integrated, posted on April 20, 2015 at 06:03:51

Triode_Kingdom
Audiophile

Posts: 10049
Location: Central Texas
Joined: September 24, 2006

There may not be a precise definition for what constitutes an integrated amp, but I know it involves more than sticking a couple volume controls on the front panel. At the very least, a source selector is needed, and I would think most of the past offerings also had tone controls and a phono preamp in order to qualify as integrated. That aside, 18W isn't nearly enough for 84 dB speakers.

The OP's question reminds me of a Ford truck forum I read sometimes, where a newbie asked what engine mods he needed to make in order to turn his 6,000 lb F150 into a hot rod. The general answer was to leave the motor alone and replace the chassis with a Ford Fiesta. :)

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A Set Amp for 84db Speakers

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