I need more sensitive speakers!

[Andrew]

Got this up and running over the break, needs tweaking, currently I'm using 6C45 as drivers but I'm thinking of trying C3g in triode. Anyway, one thing I do now know is that I need more sensitive speakers, 89db just not loud enough...

[The Shadow]

That's a big phono stage Andrew

[Andrew]

Yes, and I'm having to be very careful not to burn a whole in the better half's very expensive rug.....it runs a bit hot...6 power supplies for 8 watts of 300B. I have clearly lost the plot. And I don't mean the 300Bs, no bass problems at all, not with a 50H choke input PSU.

cheers,

--- Andrew

[andrew ivimey]

There is a lot to be said for separate power supplies. It means more weight, more metal, more heat and costs more but it can show improvements.

How are you driving your 300bs?

into what speakers? why not follow NickG's lead?

I started using my WAD phono stage and WAD pre, for the first time in several months; sounds awful !!! hm. though no hum.

happy new year.

A.N. Other

[Andrew]

Hi Andrew,

At the mo' I've got 6C45 doing the job driven into interstages, this is running at about 240v and 20mA, which is way off optimal, I think, but I ended up with more B+ on the driver supply than I had anticipated. I'm scheming on where to go next experimenting with drivers stages is going to be fun. The 300B's I have are knackerd as well so I need some new ones. I'd like to try PT15s but I need to sort the speakers as well, and the trafos are a bit too low for PT15. PCX have some 300Bs for $120 per pair (I think) the pricing is a bit unclear.

I really like the sound of the James/Nick OB but they won't fit in the room, several reasons including WAF. I need something with less width, taller is OK.

cheers,

-- Andrew

[david counter]

Andrew,
you could try this guy for the 300bs, I've bought from him he's reliable,

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Matched-Pair-E...QQcmdZViewItem

[Dave_The_Vinyl_Junkie]

Hi Andrew,

I've been wanting to get back into SE for some time, and I think I finally found my dream high-sensitivity loudspeaker just before Xmas. Don't know what your budget is, but I've recently ordered a pair of these, due to arrive February-ish:

http://www.thehornshoppe.com/

Being very sceptical, I first visited a guy in London who had a pair with the latest FE126E drivers, being driven by a 3 watt EL84 SE amp. About 96dB sensitivity.

In that system, they sounded absolutely superb to my ears, and for the money being asked I think they are a steal. Exceptionally musical - and this was with a CD player as source! They are also the most linear-sounding horn speakers I've ever heard. No noticeable cabinet honk and no shout.

Bass will depend on placement, the chap was using a TBI sub as roll-off starts to happen around 65-70 Hz, but we switched off the sub at one stage and I was surprised at how much bass weight was still there. They didn't sound at all anaemic.

Looking forward...

[NickG]

You should have said, I have a pair of Frugalhorn's with FE126Es doing nothing, you could have borrowed. I suspect they will sound very similar.

[Dave_The_Vinyl_Junkie]

D'oh! Ah well. Thanks for the thought.

[Andrew]

Hi Dave and co,

I'm getting tempted by something similar to Simon's FE208EZ horns, tho the ripple bugs me a bit, and I just have to sneak em past the missus.

cheers,

-- Andrew