Suggestions needed for an amp to power Revel F52`s

Pinkerton

Pinkerton

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This is a continuation of a question that I posted in the Speaker Section...

I have Revel F52 speakers that are powered by a Rogue ST90 tube amp with KT120`s in it.
First, just to clarify, I absolutely love the sound !

Here`s my problem... I`ve just recently been putting bass traps and absorbers in the room which measures 22' x 20' with a sloping vaulted ceiling going from 8' to 11' high.

Occasionally I like to 'lean on it' a bit like most of us do, but now alot of the volume has been soaked up and I`m a little concerned that I`ll hurt my speakers if I push them too hard.

So I`m considering an SS amp now...Problem is, I`m not wanting to give up ANYTHING that I`m hearing from the Rogue and I don`t want to spend the $$$ nor deal with the upkeep to keep them fed with larger tube amp/amps.

I`m open to all suggestions including Class D amps.

 
What's your budget? What preamp are you using?

McIntosh MC452 could be perfect.
 
Joe my budget would be along the lines of what I can get for the Rogue then a few more dollars if needed. The amp will need to be used but that`s totally fine with me.

So, I`m going to say somewhere around $1200-1500 there abouts.

Preamp is a Lightspeed Attenuator.
 
If you are thinking about class D, the W4S mAMP should be wonderful after a long 300 plus hour break in. I'd have to think about what else would be great too.

Pinkerton said:
Joe my budget would be along the lines of what I can get for the Rogue then a few more dollars if needed. The amp will need to be used but that`s totally fine with me.

So, I`m going to say somewhere around $1200-1500 there abouts.

Preamp is a Lightspeed Attenuator.
Click to expand...
 
Pinkerton...your Revel F52's sensitivity is 87.5dB with 2.83Vrms @ 1m and have a nominal impedance of 6.5ohms and a minimum impedance of 3.5ohms. Your Rogue ST90 amps put out 100wpc into 8 and 4 ohms. I am not sure what you mean when you say you like to "lean into them" but if you were to put that into dB terms, when you push the speakers to levels you like, what sort of decibels (dBs) are we talking about? If you don't have a measuring device, download the Decibel 10th app on your iPhone or Android phone and measure it. My guess is you are not going much higher than 90-95 dB at your listening position. By the way can you tell me how far away you sit from your speaker?

Assuming 87.5dB sensitivity, 100wpc power output, speakers are within 2-4 feet from a wall, and that you are sitting 8 feet from your speakers, then the max dB levels you will experience at that seated position from your amplifier into your speakers is almost 106dB (which is very very very loud). If you sit 10 feet from your speakers, then the max SPL level is 101dBs which is still very very loud.

My guess is your amps are just fine for driving those speakers irrespective of the room treatments. I know you are worried that your room treatments may be absorbing too much sound and hence you need to push the volume level higher. Actually, if you are applying the room treatments correctly, you should be cleaning up harmful side-wall and ceiling/floor reflections, which should improve your ability to hear into the primary sound wave launch, which should enhance your perceived dynamic range and hence the volume level you are accustomed to may be too high. If you are experiencing a deadening of sound from your room treatments then you have applied too much absorption.

I would say, keep the amp (it is excellent). Save the money on the switch and perhaps put some of it into readjusting your room treatment plan (reduce number of absorption panels and introduce some diffusers to clean up the sound even more). You should obviously consult with your dealer and or the manufacturer of your room treatments as to what makes more sense.

Just my 2c. YMMV.

PS: Those Emotiva amps will sound nothing like your Rogue amps. I think you would be disappointed with them.
 
cmalak said:
PS: Those Emotiva amps will sound nothing like your Rogue amps. I think you would be disappointed with them.
Click to expand...

Ouch! Have you heard their new series? Believe it or not, they had some at CES and they didn't sound too bad. For $1799...

Plus, I think they have a trial period, so if he doesn't like it, he can return it. But I would confirm that first.


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Mike said:
Ouch! Have you heard their new series? Believe it or not, they had some at CES and they didn't sound too bad. For $1799...

Plus, I think they have a trial period, so if he doesn't like it, he can return it. But I would confirm that first.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD
Click to expand...

Mike...to be fair, I have not heard them. I was making a generalization of the budget SS vs. affordable but well-designed tube amp (Rogue) generalization :D I just think of Emotiva as HT amplification when you need a lot of whoop to produce big explosions, gun fire and the like.

Be that as it may, I just don't think the OP needs to switch amps at all. Anyway, just providing my 2c.
 
I am not sure why a 90wpc tube amp would not adequately power an 87db speaker. My 60wpc KT-88 tube amps power my 86db Vandersteens to ear shattering levels. Even my 35wpc Music Reference amp will get them to almost 95db before it starts compressing. When the OP gets to levels that worry him he might want to have an spl meter on hand. He might just be over doing it a bit.
 
cmalak said:
Mike...to be fair, I have not heard them. I was making a generalization of the budget SS vs. affordable but well-designed tube amp (Rogue) generalization :D I just think of Emotiva as HT amplification when you need a lot of whoop to produce big explosions, gun fire and the like.

Be that as it may, I just don't think the OP needs to switch amps at all. Anyway, just providing my 2c.
Click to expand...

I don't disagree. Trade a rogue tube amp for anything SS in the $1200-1500 range wouldn't be what I'd be doing. I think I'd buy a TT and some records!


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If I was you I Would stay with the Rouge. I might update my preamp
to a matching Rouge Super 88 and enjoy. I have heard your sytem and love the sound and the volume is satisfactory.
Happy Listening....Will try to get over soon to give it a listen.
Got some new vinyl & a some interesting CD's a well.
 
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