Will more power do any good to the 1.2 TL's?

Ricardo

First of all, I'd like to state that I am extremely happy with my 2ch setup; for some time now I've been running my 1.2TL's with the following:

Source: Denon DCM-280 CD changer (from Sid)
DAC: the little bit three (from Russman)
Amp: JBL Urei SR6630 (from Russman)
Pre: Dared 2000 SL
Outlaw interconnects and Audioquest type 4 speaker cables.

I've run them also with "higher ranked" components (Jolida CD player, Dodd MLP pre), and believe it or not, to my ears they sound just as good with the current setup (ok, I'll admit that I might have lost "something"...)

So here's the question; these speakers are supposed to sound their best with a lot of clean power. The Urei is only rated at 160WPC @ 8 OHM (I think), so I'm thinking I'd like to try something bigger. But...I'm not sure if I'd actually hear a significant improvement; this amp is a real BEAST. There's no way I can crank it up to distortion levels and still be in the room (they are in a 25 x 20 room). Just for reference, if volume is at 11 o'clock, the system is pumping 105-107 db at the listening position; no distortion at all. I obviously NEVER play at this levels, just made the test. I normally listen between 8 and 9 o'clock, and 9 is already high for some people.

So, I am thinking that they have more than enough power, but want to hear from the experts out there....

Thanks.

madmax

There is much more to be gained. I say that knowing you will remain perfectly happy with what you already have. Been there. I've used the carver silver 9t's at 900 wpc with them, my soundcraftsmens at something around 400wpc and heard a set with the carver lightstar amplifier which is way up there somewhere. They just keep giving. They do not necessarily seem louder, but they do seem bigger. I guess if you measure the output with an spl meter they are probably as much louder as they should be but that is not the real improvement I hear. Bigger is the word here. Have you noticed how some of the other smaller polks (and other brands) seem to be really strutting their stuff at higher volumes? Imagine those big boys doing that without a sweat...

All that being said, I still totally enjoy mine with 100 wpc of tube power.
madmax

schwarcw

The bigger amps will power more of the audio frequency range. This will give you the "bigger" sound that Max was talking about. I also noticed more of the "SDA" effect with the larger more powerful amp. I'm using a 250 wpc Parasound Halo. I would recommend going to this level or higher.

Ricardo

thanks guys; I am definitely NOT looking for more volume or louder; this "bigger" sound is what I am thinking of; I just don't know if the improvement would be enough to justify the $$$ (think I've heard that question before...).

I guess I could find a good amp with a good return policy just to take a test ride....

Thanks.

audiobliss

More power is always better!

heiney9

audiobliss wrote:

More power is always better!

Generally yes, especially if you are approaching the limits of your current amp's output. "Quality" power is always better than "quantity" power. In some instances one may find 100 watts of a different amp sounds better than 200 watts of another amp. More power doesn't always = better sound. It's about balance and system synergy. I wouldn't simply start throwing money around for a new amp just because you think more power is the answer. I have no experience with JBL amps, but careful research after defining what it is you're looking for may give you the best results.

Just simply looking at and understanding different designs of amps might give you the answer. 50 watts of pure class A is probably better than 200 watts of class H, etc.

YMMV

H9

Emlyn

HTrookie wrote:

thanks guys; I am definitely NOT looking for more volume or louder; this "bigger" sound is what I am thinking of; I just don't know if the improvement would be enough to justify the $$$ (think I've heard that question before...).

I guess I could find a good amp with a good return policy just to take a test ride....

Thanks.

You'll never know until you try. I had a Rotel RB-1090 (about 700 watts/channel into 4 ohms) with my SDA-SRS. It sounded "bigger" than three different smaller output amps, but not necessarily better overall than the others. In comparison, the Rotel picked the soundstage up a couple of feet, was more forward, and more spacious, but also produced a more grainy and noisy sound. The amp I'm currently using is much smoother, especially after breaking in for a couple of months, and forceful enough if I wanted it to be.

Ricardo

Just found the manual on the web; it is actually 190/300 at 8/4 ohm. As I mentioned; I am very happy with it; huge improvement vs. the 200 WPC ADCOM it replaced. It's just that the question keeps bouncing on my head

Edit; don't know why but cannot post the link; if interested click here and then on the first on the list

http://search.yahoo.com/search?p=JBL+Urei+SR6630&fr=yfp-t-500&toggle=1&cop=&ei=UTF-8

frreo1

Power in and of itself may not provide better performance. As stated above, a 50WPC class A may sound just as good (or better) than a 200WPC AB design. The impeadance curve of the speaker as a function of frequency also plays a part.
If you have some dollars to spend, somthing like a Mcintosh MC 352, which provides 350 watts of clean balanced power. It circutry is balanced from input to output, which improves the noise floor. The autoformers ensure a good match to the speaker of choice, and (in my opinion), seems to provide a plesant and clean sound.

Happy Listening!

schwarcw

frreo1 wrote:

a Mcintosh MC 352, which provides 350 watts of clean balanced power. It circutry is balanced from input to output, which improves the noise floor. The autoformers ensure a good match to the speaker of choice, and (in my opinion), seems to provide a plesant and clean sound.

Yeah! This is the kind of amp I'm talking about, or a Krell KSA-250. Those TL's will never sound better at lower or higher volumes:)

Carl

reeltrouble1

If you are looking to go to a new level the source and pre need to changed out along with the amps. Your signal is getting choked, silicon chips, intergrated circuits, and so on. You know you "lost something", your statement.

RT1

Ricardo

I think I'll stay with the "I am happy with system as it is now", and I really am... There's always room for improvement, but that race can get expensive...

Thanks!!

schwarcw

It never hurts to sound out for some ideas Ricardo. We'll give you our $0.02. Which is probably worth less than that:D Glad to hear that you're enjoying your SDA's.

madmax

HTrookie wrote:

I guess I could find a good amp with a good return policy just to take a test ride....

You were right on track here, up until you derailed...

madmax

zombie boy 2000

frreo1 wrote:

Power in and of itself may not provide better performance. As stated above, a 50WPC class A may sound just as good (or better) than a 200WPC AB design.

I have to second this.... my Monarchy SM-70 Pro at 40wpc of Class A into 4 Ohms provides more "oomph" than my Rotel 980 at 220wpc into 4 Ohms

not to mention, it runs laps around the Rotel from a "qualitative" standpoint

reeltrouble1

HTrookie wrote:

I think I'll stay with the "I am happy with system as it is now", and I really am...

Thanks!!

This is excellent.

RT1