matching speakers for tube amp

DavidRB

Here I come again Polk guys.

I really wanted to try the tube sound an I got a Joilda 202 a from the goon; nice deal by the way. Now, what Polk speakers can I safely hook up to the amp? I want to go Polk, but I have been told about 100?s of other options. Polk is still my favorite. I will be listening to the set up in close quarters in a small room, music only system, sub is an option.

Amp specs:

Maximum Power Output: 60 W per channel at 8 ohms, 1KHz

Rated Output Power: 40 W per channel at 8 ohms, 30Hz to 80KHz

Frequency Response: (at 1 watt into 8 ohms) 7Hz to 140KHz + 3dB; 0dB at 1KHz

Bandwidth: 17Hz to 140KHz + 3dB; 0dB = 40 W 1KHz, 8 ohms

Distortion THD + N: Less than 1% at 30W output, 40Hz to 14KHz, 8 ohms

Circuit Type: Ultra Linear, Class AB1

Input Impedance: 100Kohms

Input Sensitivity: Max. 350mV at 1KHz for 40 watt output

Output Impedance: 4 ohms and 8 ohms

Negative Feedback: Less than 9dB

Noise and Hum: 80dB below rated output.

Tube Complement: two matched pairs of 6CA7/EL34 power output; two 12AX7A pre-amplifier, two 12AT7 power drivers.

Bias Settings: 40 millivolts + 4 mV

thsmith

Any of the rt line will be ok. Vintage monitors will be ok.

DavidRB

Thanks!

I forgot to mention I need bookshelf speakers, rt?s have nice bs and I like that

rromeo923

I have my SDA 1C's hooked to a Yaqin MC-10L w/ 52 watts per channel and it sounds great. Tubes and SDA's definitely work together nicely. Medium to small sized room. I have yet to turn the Yaqin up past 50%

michaeljhsda2

rromeo923 wrote: »

I have my SDA 1C's hooked to a Yaqin MC-10L w/ 52 watts per channel and it sounds great. Tubes and SDA's definitely work together nicely. Medium to small sized room. I have yet to turn the Yaqin up past 50%

Agreed

DavidRB

I like the idea of going vintage but since I am in Mexico; I rather go with new speakers; easier to import and already packed. I checked the SDA?s and they do look good; why are they no longer in production?

Big Dawg

http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showthread.php?t=45468

RuSsMaN

As long as your output taps can handle the impedance load, anything will work until you clip the amp. We drove LSi7's on an 8 watt pushpull at the last HQ PF. It all depends on how loud you want it.

Cheers,
Russ

DavidRB

Thanks Big Dawg, I now get it!

I do not want to go party animal on the set up; low to moderate volumes are what I want/need. The room is small and the speakers will be close to my seat.

DON73

I have a 30watt tube amp and so far I've had Monitor 7s, AR11s and Monitor 10s hooked up to it. The 30 watts will drive either of these speakers as loud as I want. I prefer the 10s with this amp but thee 7s sound better with SS amps.

Joe08867

Russman beat me to the punch on this. LSi7's sound real nice on a tube amp.

You won't beat the detail and clarity with anything else in the Polk Lineup except maybe the new LSiM Series bookshelves.

quadzilla

DavidRB wrote: »

Thanks Big Dawg, I now get it!

I do not want to go party animal on the set up; low to moderate volumes are what I want/need. The room is small and the speakers will be close to my seat.

So if you're interested in SDAs, CRS+s come up for sale not uncommonly in various places. They're a nice small speaker, easy to drive, and reward upgrades/modifications and good equipment quite well.

Otherwise, most tube amps will handle 4 Ohm loads well, so LSi7/9s are also a very good choice.

Loud & Clear

Another vote for CRS+. Pure magic in a small to mid-sized room.

DavidRB

I am looking into them, thanks to all

DavidRB

hey guys! I have been really busy lately and just now I have time to experiment with the tube amp.

I hooked it up to my rti4?s and it sounded nice, but I really miss the bass. The speakers sounded great at moderate volumes and close range and that is what I want. What Polk sub shall I look into for my setup? I am thinking going LSi7 and my that will eat most of my budget, so the sub must be entry level I think.

I do know more efficient speakers are best for tube amps but I really do not need high volumes am I safe with the LS speakers even if they are 4 ohm? I really like bass, not basshead-like bass but I want it to be there; shall I go Lsi9 and call it a day or Lsi7+small sub?

I did some research on the crs speakers but import expenses/shipping make them way to expensive for me.

polkfarmboy

I never knew the lis7 could work with tubes? hmmmmm . How about the 9's ?

Joe08867

polkfarmboy wrote: »

I never knew the lis7 could work with tubes? hmmmmm . How about the 9's ?

You would need at bit more than 40watts continuous for LSi9's. LSi7's would work well though.

Poee7R

Im running about 35 watts (Onix SP3) to my Lsi9's, and its more than enough. But I have them in my office, which is the size of a med/large bedroom, so YMMV.


Dave

cnh

I had the opportunity to Demo the Polk Micro-Pro 1000 (thanks Polk!) in my various systems. It REALLY shined as a match for my LSI-7s. Filled out the lower end with 'very musical and tight bass'. Highly recommended combo in smaller to smaller mid-sized rooms.

For a simpler, smaller bookshelf tube system, I'd go with Monitor 5s or 7s depending on how much space you have to give up? Though, if you want to go SDA, the CRS+ are really the signature and 'only' bookshelf-sized models!

Now you all have me thinking of hooking up my LSI-7s to my tube amp. I was always under the impression that SS is what LSIs most liked? And that they were not as detailed and sharp with 'tubes'?

cnh

DavidRB

thanks guys! I want to go with new or refurbished speakers from Polk and the micro pro seems a great combo for me; any other opinions?