Welcome to the AudioShark Forums.
Results 1 to 23 of 23
  1. #1
    Junior Member
    Join Date
    Jul 2015
    Location
    Atlanta, GA
    Posts
    18

    Is 60 watts of Luxman class A enough juice for SabrinaX?

    I have a Luxman 595ase integrated and am considering SabrinaX. Before I go too far down the rabbit hole, I'm curious if 60 watts into 4 ohms is enough juice to drive Wilson speakers like SabrinaX in a medium size, 18 x 20 room. What do you think?
    dCS Bartok > Luxman 595ase > Vandersteen Quatro Wood CT

    Interconnects: Audioquest Wild Blue Yonder XLR
    Ethernet: Audioquest Diamond
    Speaker Cable: Kirmuss Adrenaline 12'
    Power Cables: Audioquest Hurricane source (Bartok) Audioquest Hurricane HC (Luxman)

    Tweaks: Audioquest NRG Edison 15 | IsoAcoustics Orea Bordeaux (Luxman) Indigo (Bartok)

  2. #2
    Senior Member
    Join Date
    Mar 2017
    Location
    North Carolina
    Posts
    808

    Re: Is 60 watts of Luxman class A enough juice for SabrinaX?

    What kind(s) of music do you play and at what levels?

  3. #3
    Junior Member
    Join Date
    Jul 2015
    Location
    Atlanta, GA
    Posts
    18

    Re: Is 60 watts of Luxman class A enough juice for SabrinaX?

    I listen to more Americana than metal, more jazz than symphonies, 99% of the time with peaks in the low 90's db.
    dCS Bartok > Luxman 595ase > Vandersteen Quatro Wood CT

    Interconnects: Audioquest Wild Blue Yonder XLR
    Ethernet: Audioquest Diamond
    Speaker Cable: Kirmuss Adrenaline 12'
    Power Cables: Audioquest Hurricane source (Bartok) Audioquest Hurricane HC (Luxman)

    Tweaks: Audioquest NRG Edison 15 | IsoAcoustics Orea Bordeaux (Luxman) Indigo (Bartok)

  4. #4
    Senior Member
    Join Date
    Mar 2017
    Location
    North Carolina
    Posts
    808

    Re: Is 60 watts of Luxman class A enough juice for SabrinaX?

    If it were me, I'd looking for significantly more power (remember, doubling the power buys you only another 3dB). The SabrinaX is 87dB efficient, about average for a small floor stander. However, your listening levels are pretty loud, at least to me (especially if 90dB is an average level and not peak). Symphonic music is generally the most demanding from a dynamic standpoint (I'm assuming you'd be configuring your system based on its most demanding anticipated use).

  5. #5
    Senior Member
    Join Date
    Aug 2014
    Location
    lachen / sz
    Posts
    1,061

    Re: Is 60 watts of Luxman class A enough juice for SabrinaX?

    Quote Originally Posted by slab View Post
    I have a Luxman 595ase integrated and am considering SabrinaX. Before I go too far down the rabbit hole, I'm curious if 60 watts into 4 ohms is enough juice to drive Wilson speakers like SabrinaX in a medium size, 18 x 20 room. What do you think?
    simply forget it !!
    i ve heard the sabrinas with mutiple amps and the fun starts around 300w @8ohms

  6. #6
    Senior Member
    Join Date
    Apr 2013
    Location
    Toronto,Ontario
    Posts
    4,978

    Re: Is 60 watts of Luxman class A enough juice for SabrinaX?

    Quote Originally Posted by slab View Post
    I have a Luxman 595ase integrated and am considering SabrinaX. Before I go too far down the rabbit hole, I'm curious if 60 watts into 4 ohms is enough juice to drive Wilson speakers like SabrinaX in a medium size, 18 x 20 room. What do you think?
    Chris. The 595 goes up to 95 watts when they leave the class A at 30 watts. I have been drive the 86 db speakers with no issue. Also, I really enjoyed the McIntosh Mc75 with Sabrina together. I bet your 595 will be great match as well.


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
    Paul

  7. #7
    Member
    Join Date
    Dec 2017
    Location
    Sarasota, FL
    Posts
    36

    Re: Is 60 watts of Luxman class A enough juice for SabrinaX?

    Agree with Paul,
    You have the amplifier and it's a quality piece... try it on the speakers you want. You'll likely enjoy the combo. My Conrad-Johnson ART-27 gives me 36 class A watts to drive a slightly less efficient Yvette in a 20x30x12 room with plenty of power. The only reason to have hundreds of watts is to be further from distortion. The quality of your amplifier does that anyway. You only use the first few watts to drive speakers to over 90DB. I don't know what "fun" Mr. u-sound has beginning at 300 watts but I'd hate to be anywhere nearby. Audio is about the quality of sound, it's not a horse power ego trip.
    Wilson Yvette speakers, [B]Conrad-Johnson [ART88 [B]pre, TEA1bc phono, and ART 27A Amplifier, Marantz digital player, Wireworld Gold and Platinum ICs, USB and power cables, Rega Planar 10 turntable/ Apheta cartridge, Wireworld Platimum Eclipse 8 speaker cables, AQ Hurricane and Tornado power cables, Shunyata Denali 6000S/V2, Sigma NR PC and DELTA USB cords, Symposium and Stillpoint vibration control, JL Audio Fathom 113 subwoofer, dCS Bartok Streamer/DAC

  8. #8
    Junior Member
    Join Date
    Jul 2015
    Location
    Atlanta, GA
    Posts
    18

    Re: Is 60 watts of Luxman class A enough juice for SabrinaX?

    Thank you Paul. I may reach out to you directly to chat a bit.
    dCS Bartok > Luxman 595ase > Vandersteen Quatro Wood CT

    Interconnects: Audioquest Wild Blue Yonder XLR
    Ethernet: Audioquest Diamond
    Speaker Cable: Kirmuss Adrenaline 12'
    Power Cables: Audioquest Hurricane source (Bartok) Audioquest Hurricane HC (Luxman)

    Tweaks: Audioquest NRG Edison 15 | IsoAcoustics Orea Bordeaux (Luxman) Indigo (Bartok)

  9. #9
    Junior Member
    Join Date
    Jul 2015
    Location
    Atlanta, GA
    Posts
    18

    Re: Is 60 watts of Luxman class A enough juice for SabrinaX?

    Thank you Coppy. Your reasoning makes a lot of sense to me.
    dCS Bartok > Luxman 595ase > Vandersteen Quatro Wood CT

    Interconnects: Audioquest Wild Blue Yonder XLR
    Ethernet: Audioquest Diamond
    Speaker Cable: Kirmuss Adrenaline 12'
    Power Cables: Audioquest Hurricane source (Bartok) Audioquest Hurricane HC (Luxman)

    Tweaks: Audioquest NRG Edison 15 | IsoAcoustics Orea Bordeaux (Luxman) Indigo (Bartok)

  10. #10
    Junior Member
    Join Date
    Jul 2015
    Location
    Atlanta, GA
    Posts
    18

    Re: Is 60 watts of Luxman class A enough juice for SabrinaX?

    I have made my decisions differently. My choices are based upon my predominant listening preferences instead of configuring for a most demanding condition. Maybe you are suggesting that I think differently.

    My regular listening is below 80 db, but there are times when we may want to turn it up a few notches. That could mean a peak of 93 db, but again, that is a peak.
    dCS Bartok > Luxman 595ase > Vandersteen Quatro Wood CT

    Interconnects: Audioquest Wild Blue Yonder XLR
    Ethernet: Audioquest Diamond
    Speaker Cable: Kirmuss Adrenaline 12'
    Power Cables: Audioquest Hurricane source (Bartok) Audioquest Hurricane HC (Luxman)

    Tweaks: Audioquest NRG Edison 15 | IsoAcoustics Orea Bordeaux (Luxman) Indigo (Bartok)

  11. #11
    Senior Member
    Join Date
    Mar 2017
    Location
    North Carolina
    Posts
    808

    Re: Is 60 watts of Luxman class A enough juice for SabrinaX?

    slab, this quote from The Absolute Sound review of the SabrinaX pretty much mirrors my experiences and preference:

    "Let us discuss setup and equipment matching a bit before we turn to the SabrinaX’s sonic attributes. The speaker has an 87dB sensitivity and a 4-ohm nominal impedance, with a minimum of 2.6 ohms. My Naim Uniti Star all-in-one (70Wpc into 8 ohms, not specified but probably around 110Wpc into 4 ohms) ran the SabrinaX without issue. From a power standpoint, the Wilsons never sounded starved or fell apart, even at loud listening levels. Yet, when I shifted to the Dartzeel CTH-8550 mk2 integrated (what a combo!), with its 200Wpc into 8 ohms and 330Wpc into 4 ohms, the speakers came alive! As much as the quality of the Dartzeel’s sonics obviously had to do with that, the SabrinaX’s thrived on the added power and control."

    Wilsons have a reputation for excellent dynamics and a 'liking' for power. Back in the day, I had 86dB efficient Aerial 10Ts driven by a Mark Levinson No. 331 (rated at 100 watts, 8 ohms; 200 watts 4 ohms) - all I could afford at the time and sounded fine, but the 10Ts clearly wanted more to sound their best.

    This hobby is all about personal choices, so as always, YMMV!

  12. #12
    Member
    Join Date
    Jan 2016
    Location
    Denton, Texas
    Posts
    34

    Re: Is 60 watts of Luxman class A enough juice for SabrinaX?

    I am descending the same rabbit hole but with the ARC Ref75se. An audition in a few weeks might shed some light, though it won’t be with my amp, obviously.
    ProAc Response D30R
    ARC REF-75se
    ARC SP-20
    Rega DAC-R
    VPI Prime/Ortofon Cadenza Blue
    MacMini/Audirvana
    Shunyata Venom cables/power/intercncts
    Quadraspire SV2T bamboo shelf


  13. #13
    Senior Member
    Join Date
    Jun 2013
    Location
    Ontario Canada
    Posts
    805

    Re: Is 60 watts of Luxman class A enough juice for SabrinaX?

    What would you like foot to almost the floor or foot third of way and lots of room to go. I don't think 60 watts are going to cut it. You will be looking for power sooner than you planed. I don't if this in the budget Boulder 866 would be a very good start.

  14. #14
    Senior Member
    Join Date
    Aug 2014
    Location
    lachen / sz
    Posts
    1,061

    Re: Is 60 watts of Luxman class A enough juice for SabrinaX?

    Quote Originally Posted by Coppy View Post
    Agree with Paul,
    You have the amplifier and it's a quality piece... try it on the speakers you want. You'll likely enjoy the combo. My Conrad-Johnson ART-27 gives me 36 class A watts to drive a slightly less efficient Yvette in a 20x30x12 room with plenty of power. The only reason to have hundreds of watts is to be further from distortion. The quality of your amplifier does that anyway. You only use the first few watts to drive speakers to over 90DB. I don't know what "fun" Mr. u-sound has beginning at 300 watts but I'd hate to be anywhere nearby. Audio is about the quality of sound, it's not a horse power ego trip.
    cool to see you happy there with what i would call a borderline topology

    did you ever try to be there?

    thats the continuation from absolute sound:
    Needless to say, the SabrinaX exploded with life and dynamics when driven by my reference Pilium Achilles stereo amp with its 600Wpc into 4 ohms. My point is simply that the SabrinaX can certainly provide the goods if matched to an affordable mid-power integrated. But to really let it show what it can do, you will need to feed it with higher-power and -quality equipment upstream; it will scale up with mesmerizing results.



    the "fun" is when the speaker completly disapears, the bass comes alive and the image gets crisp. why else would you look for a wilson speaker?
    please note, the yvettes and the sabrinaX are very different to drive. i ve spent a couple of hours with the yvettes driven by the dagostino progression integrated. it was ok. the same amp with the sX sounded slouchy and sticking at the speakers.
    with dagostino and wilson it makes a lot of sense to buy the easier to drive sasha daw with the progression integrated. with the sabrinaX you want the seperates.
    at home in a big room i went from 300watts@8 to 500 and again it was a big jump. it feels just to be the right power. others might be less powerhungry, however, the sabrinaX is NOT the right parner for small fine amps. even if people report they liked it with this and that.

  15. #15

    Re: Is 60 watts of Luxman class A enough juice for SabrinaX?

    No. I have a pair and while they may sound very good with 60wpc, you will not get near their potential. I had a pair of Pass XA60.8s and a VAC 200IQ with them. They are great speakers and I love them, but until I put Pass XA 160.8 monos into the system , I had no idea how great they are. Living with them, my experience says that they want power. I am not only speaking about volume, they opened up in every way with more power.

    You might consider the Pass 350.8. I haven't heard the combo, but within that budget, I think it would be a great match. I am using my Pass monos with a VAC Master preamp.

  16. #16

    Re: Is 60 watts of Luxman class A enough juice for SabrinaX?

    Hmm. A $40k amp to drive an $18k pair of speakers.
    Micro Seiki SX-8000 air bearing table, SME 312s arm, SME 3012R arn, Dynavector XV-1s cartridge, Lyra Etna SL cartridge, ARC Ref 3 phono stage, Otari MX-55 2 track R2R, Ampex 350 tape repros, Roon Nucleus Plus music server, HiFi Rose 150B DAC, ARC Ref 6, ARC Ref 75 with KT-150s, Parasound JC5 amp , JBL 4345 speakers, Viero Equilibro Level 3 speaker cables, and Definitive Technology Ref subs.

    Reviewer for Positive Feedback

  17. #17
    Senior Member
    Join Date
    Aug 2014
    Location
    lachen / sz
    Posts
    1,061

    Re: Is 60 watts of Luxman class A enough juice for SabrinaX?

    Quote Originally Posted by mep View Post
    Hmm. A $40k amp to drive an $18k pair of speakers.
    thats what i was trying to explain. take the 18k sabrina with a 40k amp....or better take the 40k sasha daw with a 18k amp.
    i run my sX with heisenbergs and it makes sense sonicwise. before i had the alexia2 with humboldt. makes more sense, apart from the fact that my wife didnt like a big speaker like the alexia while she likes the little sabrinas.

  18. #18

    Re: Is 60 watts of Luxman class A enough juice for SabrinaX?

    I'll take the $40k speaker with the $18k amp any day. The wife not liking big speakers is another issue, but not one I have to worry about.
    Micro Seiki SX-8000 air bearing table, SME 312s arm, SME 3012R arn, Dynavector XV-1s cartridge, Lyra Etna SL cartridge, ARC Ref 3 phono stage, Otari MX-55 2 track R2R, Ampex 350 tape repros, Roon Nucleus Plus music server, HiFi Rose 150B DAC, ARC Ref 6, ARC Ref 75 with KT-150s, Parasound JC5 amp , JBL 4345 speakers, Viero Equilibro Level 3 speaker cables, and Definitive Technology Ref subs.

    Reviewer for Positive Feedback

  19. #19
    Audioshark
    Join Date
    Apr 2013
    Location
    Sarasota, FL
    Posts
    30,044

    Re: Is 60 watts of Luxman class A enough juice for SabrinaX?

    Quote Originally Posted by mep View Post
    I'll take the $40k speaker with the $18k amp any day. The wife not liking big speakers is another issue, but not one I have to worry about.
    His room wouldn’t tolerate a bigger speaker. It’s a tiny room. MAYBE 10 x 10. He does have a separate AC unit in that room for his love of Class A and tube amps. He did have Salon 2’s in that room and they sounded superb, but they aren’t bass giants.


    Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk Pro
    My Systems: http://www.audioshark.org/showthread...481#post158481

    "We can hear everything we measure, but we can't measure everything we hear. Let your ears be your guide."

    Dealer for: Aqua Hi-Fi, Aurender, AudioQuest Cables & Power Products, Berkeley Audio, Block Audio (distributor), Boulder Amplifiers, Bowers & Wilkins (B&W), Bryston, Clarisys Audio Loudspeakers (distributor), Classe’ Audio, Degritter Record Cleaning Machines, Esoteric, Finite Elemente, FirstWatt, Focal Loudspeakers and Headphones, GigaFoil, Harbeth Loudspeakers, Hegel, HiFi Man, Innuos, ISO Acoustics, Keces Power Supplies, Kharma Loudspeakers and Electronics, Kuzma Turntables, Lumin, Luxman, Magico Loudspeakers, MBL Speakers & Electronics, MSB Technologies, MySonicLabs Phono Cartridges, Nordost Cables, Ortofon, Pass Labs, Quadraspire, Rega Turntables and Electronics, Shunyata Research, STAX, Stein Music Products, Stillpoints, Soulution, VAC, Vicoustics, Viva Audio, VPI Industries, WireWorld Cables.

    https://suncoastaudio.com/
    Phone: 941-932-0282
    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Suncoast-Au...1105178279194/

  20. #20
    Senior Member
    Join Date
    Aug 2014
    Location
    lachen / sz
    Posts
    1,061

    Re: Is 60 watts of Luxman class A enough juice for SabrinaX?

    Quote Originally Posted by mep View Post
    I'll take the $40k speaker with the $18k amp any day.
    absolutely yess!

    again, thats what i am trying to explain. take the sabrina if your desire is a small speaker and you have a plan to power them. otherwise: no

  21. #21
    Senior Member
    Join Date
    Aug 2014
    Location
    lachen / sz
    Posts
    1,061

    Re: Is 60 watts of Luxman class A enough juice for SabrinaX?

    Quote Originally Posted by Mike View Post
    His room wouldn’t tolerate a bigger speaker. It’s a tiny room. MAYBE 10 x 10. He does have a separate AC unit in that room for his love of Class A and tube amps. He did have Salon 2’s in that room and they sounded superb, but they aren’t bass giants.


    Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk Pro
    funny
    are you talking about @slab?
    he mentioned to be in a 20 x 18 room.

  22. #22

    Re: Is 60 watts of Luxman class A enough juice for SabrinaX?

    Quote Originally Posted by mep View Post
    Hmm. A $40k amp to drive an $18k pair of speakers.
    If you're going to criticize my system, at least know what you are talking about. The amps are $29k now and were $27k retail when I bought them, which I didn't pay. I was trying to be helpful and make a point and I suggested the 350.8 which is $14k.

  23. #23
    Audioshark
    Join Date
    Apr 2013
    Location
    Sarasota, FL
    Posts
    30,044

    Re: Is 60 watts of Luxman class A enough juice for SabrinaX?

    Quote Originally Posted by u-sound View Post
    funny
    are you talking about @slab?
    he mentioned to be in a 20 x 18 room.
    No, BruceLet. His record collection is also drool worthy.


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro
    My Systems: http://www.audioshark.org/showthread...481#post158481

    "We can hear everything we measure, but we can't measure everything we hear. Let your ears be your guide."

    Dealer for: Aqua Hi-Fi, Aurender, AudioQuest Cables & Power Products, Berkeley Audio, Block Audio (distributor), Boulder Amplifiers, Bowers & Wilkins (B&W), Bryston, Clarisys Audio Loudspeakers (distributor), Classe’ Audio, Degritter Record Cleaning Machines, Esoteric, Finite Elemente, FirstWatt, Focal Loudspeakers and Headphones, GigaFoil, Harbeth Loudspeakers, Hegel, HiFi Man, Innuos, ISO Acoustics, Keces Power Supplies, Kharma Loudspeakers and Electronics, Kuzma Turntables, Lumin, Luxman, Magico Loudspeakers, MBL Speakers & Electronics, MSB Technologies, MySonicLabs Phono Cartridges, Nordost Cables, Ortofon, Pass Labs, Quadraspire, Rega Turntables and Electronics, Shunyata Research, STAX, Stein Music Products, Stillpoints, Soulution, VAC, Vicoustics, Viva Audio, VPI Industries, WireWorld Cables.

    https://suncoastaudio.com/
    Phone: 941-932-0282
    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Suncoast-Au...1105178279194/

AudioShark - The Best High End Audio Discussion forum.

AudioShark forum is a leading forum site for High End Audio Discussion, Stereo System Discussion, Home Theater System Discussion, Best Home Stereo System Discussion, Home Theater Installation Discussion etc.

The AudioShark forum was created for sharing the passion of high-end Audio. We have Audiophiles from all over the world participating and sharing their knowledge. From novice to experts, you will find a friendly environment for discussing about High End Audio, Stereo System, Home Theater System, Home Stereo System, Home Theater Installation, Amplifiers, Speakers, Subwoofers, Integrated System, Acoustic treatments & Digital Room Corrections and many more.

At AudioShark, we also have incorporated an exciting Marketplace where members can peruse terrific buys on used gear, as well as meet dealers and discuss the purchase of new gear.

We are as crazy about this hobby as you are! So come on in and join us! Audioshark.org the Friendliest Audio Forum!

Industry Participation Disclosure : The owner and administrator of Audioshark is the owner of Suncoast Audio LLC in Sarasota Florida. Suncoast Audio has a full brick and mortar presence in Sarasota with several great show rooms with many world class brands. More information can be found at http://www.suncoastaudio.com

Audioshark is a community of like minded individuals. Audioshark welcomes participation from all manufacturers and owners of all brands and products. It is our belief that online forums provide a community of like minded audiophiles and music lovers to encourage the growth of this wonderful hobby.

Sincerely,
The Audioshark.org Team

Is 60 watts of Luxman class A enough juice for SabrinaX?

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •