SE Tube Amps

bigaltx24
bigaltx24 Posts: 141
edited December 2013 in Vintage Speakers
Has anyone run SDAs on low watt tube amps? I just got a 6-8 watt Sylvania up and running and was thinking about trying it on my SDA-1Bs.
Denon PMA-900V
Linn Axis with Grado Red
Cambridge Azur 650C
Polk SDA-1BTL
Post edited by bigaltx24 on
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Comments

  • zingo
    zingo Posts: 11,258
    edited November 2013
    I haven't, but if you already have one, why not try it!
    Jake
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  • Face
    Face Posts: 14,340
    edited November 2013
    Give it a whirl, but I wouldn't get your hopes too high unless you listen at low levels.
    "He who fights with monsters should look to it that he himself does not become a monster. And when you gaze long into an abyss the abyss also gazes into you." Friedrich Nietzsche
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  • Inthefade
    Inthefade Posts: 180
    edited November 2013
    I've used my Fisher 500c to power my 2b's. I think it's 35 wpc though. I thought it sounded pretty nice.
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  • Schurkey
    Schurkey Posts: 2,101
    edited November 2013
    bigaltx24 wrote: »
    Has anyone run SDAs on low watt tube amps? I just got a 6-8 watt Sylvania up and running and was thinking about trying it on my SDA-1Bs.
    3--4 ohm compatible, and common-ground?
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  • bored184
    bored184 Posts: 324
    edited November 2013
    Ive tried my Dynaco ST-70 (35wpc) hooked up to my SDA SRS-2 with excellent results.
    Speakers: TL Monitor 10s, RTA 11TLs, Fortes, Thiel CS 1.2
    Amplifiers: ]Ashly FTX 2001 III, Dynaco ST-70, DIY F6
    Pre: Adcom GFP 750, Aikido Tube Pre
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  • mhardy6647
    mhardy6647 Posts: 33,802
    edited November 2013
    DSkip wrote: »
    That dynaco isn't a low powered set though.

    Check.
    Low powered? No
    Single ended? No
    Triode (outputs)? No

    ;-)

    Based on what I've heard/read about the SDA loudspeakers, I cannot imagine any affordable and safe to use in a normal home (!) SET amplifier would drive 'em very effectively. Yes, it is possible to get 20 watts - or even more - from a single-ended triode output tube amplifier - but the B+ (plate voltage) required would be frighteningly high; the cost of an output transformer that could handle the DC would be fantastically expensive, and all components (wire, resistors, capacitors) would have to be rated for a plate voltage on the order of kilovolts (most hookup wire has 600V insulation, e.g.)... the amplifier would be dangerous and/or, at least, breathtakingly expensive.

    Yeah, they do exist, though... take a look at the ElectronLuv amplifiers, e.g. :-)

    EDIT: So what is the Sylvania amp? If it really puts out 6 to 8 watts single-ended, it's not running its outputs in triode mode... is it?
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  • dhart86
    dhart86 Posts: 1,594
    edited November 2013
    I have a Yaqin ms 300c SET (integrated) amp and have used it to drive a pair of SDA 1C's . Sounded pretty decent for 9.5 watts.
    I usually listen at moderate levels and could have been alright leaving that amp in the SDA rig.

    You should give it a shot and let us know us what you think
    Main Rig:
    Antipodes DX > Roon > PS Audio Directstream Jr.>deHavilland Ultraverve 3 >Belles Reference 150a >Harbeth C7 ES3


    Second Rig:
    Roon> PS Audio Directstream Jr Bridge II > EE Minimax pre (Tutay mods) >Belles 150A Ref >Monitor 5 (Westmassguy-modded)


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  • bigaltx24
    bigaltx24 Posts: 141
    edited November 2013
    I pulled the amp out of a late 50's Sylvania console. It's a single ended pentode amp using two 6BQ5 outputs, so it's probably about 6-8 watts per. I've run some Paradigms with them that were 90db sensitivity, and got them louder than I normally listen. The thing sounds great and am curious as to how it will sound on my 1Bs.
    Denon PMA-900V
    Linn Axis with Grado Red
    Cambridge Azur 650C
    Polk SDA-1BTL
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  • bigaltx24
    bigaltx24 Posts: 141
    edited November 2013
    Agree completely, synergy between speakers and amp is always hit and miss. I have a pair of Coral BX-1001 that I picked up at an estate sale a few months ago, they were $10 and looked nice so I bought them. I've run them on four different amps and was never impressed with their sound. When i was finally ready to fire up the tube amp I grabbed the Corals thinking if I blow 'em up, no big loss. To my surprise they sounded great on the tube amp. I've tried Paradigm Atom 1s, Bozak Sonoras, and Altec Santana IIs on the tube amp and right now the Corals are my favorites.
    Denon PMA-900V
    Linn Axis with Grado Red
    Cambridge Azur 650C
    Polk SDA-1BTL
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  • Phasewolf
    Phasewolf Posts: 514
    edited November 2013
    The SDA 1B are around 92db 1watt per meter and you lose about 3db for every meter you add from how far you sit away from the speakers. But the real issue comes when a really low note comes say around 40hz or so and the speakers try and dig deepen for the power that is just not there that is where you may run into trouble. I have watch a speaker running at around 2 watts and spike into 100+ without a thought and if it is not there you will clip and the first thing that the clipping hits is your RDO-198 tweeters so be careful.
    Absolute corruption empowers absolutely.

    Lg 55LW5600 TV
    Onkyo PR-SC 5508
    Legacy Audio Focus SE
    Legacy Audio Silverscreen HD center
    Polk F/X500i Rears
    Parasound HCA-3500
    Sunfire Grand Cinema
    Behringer iNUKE NU6000DSP
    Pair of CraigSUB SS-18.1
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  • davestl
    davestl Posts: 16
    edited November 2013
    You won't be too happy with most SET amps on Polks, unless you get into the big boy transmitting output tubes.
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  • bigaltx24
    bigaltx24 Posts: 141
    edited December 2013
    I had to move my 1Bs out to the garage to make room for a Christmas tree. It gave me a chance to try them out on the tube amp. I have to say they sound fantastic with 6-8 watts. It surprised me just how loud I can get them with this little amp. I'm probably getting them to about a 85-90db sound level without pushing the amp to hard.
    Denon PMA-900V
    Linn Axis with Grado Red
    Cambridge Azur 650C
    Polk SDA-1BTL
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  • Schurkey
    Schurkey Posts: 2,101
    edited December 2013
    bigaltx24 wrote: »
    I have to say they sound fantastic with 6-8 watts. It surprised me just how loud I can get them with this little amp
    I'm not a bit surprised. Polk speakers were advertised as "easy to drive" other than their lowish impedance. If your amps can throw some current, low-wattage shouldn't be an issue except for dynamic peaks; and that will be source-dependent.
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