Please Help Clarify My Watts Per Channel Confusion

stretchl

When I first joined this board last summer I asked for upgrade advice from my Monitor 10B/Luxman R-115 set up to something nicer.

I was introduced to the LSi-15's but advised that the Luxman's 70 WPC wouldn't power the speakers. I subsequently bought the Adcom GFA-555ii and use the Luxman as a pre.

Now, with the audio bug having bit me good, I'm looking at the Yaqin tube integrated amp for sale on this board to possibly replace both the Luxman and the Adcom.

I've been told by a few folks here that it will power the LSi-15's and that's why I'm confused.

If the Luxman at 70 WPC isn't suitable for the speakers, how is it possible that the Yaqin's 50 WPC would be suitable?

Is there a difference between tube power (Yaqin) and solid state power (Luxman)? Is there something else in the equation that I'm missing?

Signed -

Not Dazed but Pretty Confused

Dennis Gardner

It has more to do with the build of that 50lb tube amp. Massive power supplies in a solid state Class A 50 watt amplifier would do the same thing. Both will reach their limit with more grace than a 70wpc receiver will.

tonyb

Think of it like this, a receiver has many functions to do in one box so room inside is limited making compromisses necessary. The power supply being one of them. An amplifier stores power, be it in a receiver, integrated or power amp. Most tube gear or seperate SS amps have more real estate inside that one box to offer better built power supplies with bigger caps to store that power. It is current that drives power hungry speakers, most just look at total watts which isn't too telling. Thats why many times you'll find a 50 watt tube amp blow away a typical 125 watt SS amp or a receiver. Mind you not all seperates are created equal either, theirs dogs at every level, receivers, integrateds, or seperate amps.....tube or SS. The Cayin is a nice affordable piece that offers up some SQ way above it's price point so they are somewhat sought after. A watt is a watt.....but not everything is an apples to apples comparison. Look for peak to peak amperes as a more telling sign of a well built power supply. Seperates in general offer up more real estate to be able to put better built guts inside. Also overlooked is the ever important analog output stage in most gear. The ones with a well build power supply and analog output stage usually have some superior SQ going on. I know this all may be a tad confusing, but erase the word watts from your brain and focus more on current when looking to power speakers that like some juice behind them.

stretchl

This helps... somewhat. Thanks, guys.