Bottlehead Forum
General Category => General Discussion => Topic started by: Horatio on July 27, 2014, 01:26:00 AM
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Hi, after a very successful Crack build my attention has turned to looking for something to drive a loudspeaker setup. This has led to a couple of questions - likely driven by my lack of experience in this area so any help would be gratefully received.
My primary sources are a Schiit Bifrost DAC, iMac and Pioneer DDJ-SB mixer. I am considering adding a Smash DHT preamp and a Stereomour amplifier possibly to a set of Blumenstein Orca Speakers with a Dungeness subwoofer. Listening takes place in a room that is roughly 15' x 15' with a 10' ceiling. Musical tastes are quite eclectic ranging across classical, blues, jazz, lounge to house (less frequent) and there will likely be some home theatre use.
1) Does the Stereomour require / benefit from a preamp like the Smash? Are they an appropriate combination?
2) Would the Stereomour / Orca / Dungeness combo be likely to fill the room adequately - I am not normally the type of listener who feels the need to 'turn it up to 11' however nor would I want to feel like I was having to drive everything at 100% for 'normal' levels - however it would be nice to know there was a little headroom should it ever be required.
3) Is there an obvious alternative I am missing that would come in at a similar $2500 budget for Amp / Preamp / Speakers?
Any help on the above would be gratefully received.
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Let's see if I can help:
1) Stereomour is set up with a selector switch, 3 pair of inputs and volume control so it doesn't need a preamp in front of it. The circuitry is similar to my Paramours and I have a preamp in front of them.
2) Your room is very similar to mine, 13'X23'X8'. I get satisfying volume with the Paramour/Orca/Dungeness combination. I play Jazz, Folk, Classic Rock, Bluegrass and sometimes Taiko drum music. I play the rock and Taiko drums at good volume levels.
3) I think you have found a sweet spot in the price range here. Get a friend to bring over a preamp and see if it adds something to the sound of your system to decide on whether or not you want the Smash.
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Thanks for the advice - that is very useful and much appreciated! I will put the preamp on the back burner for the time being.
Out of curiosity are you using the base Orca or the Orca Deluxe - I am not going to be able to audition these before buying and its hard to tell how dramatic the difference between them will be.
Thanks for the help!
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The base Orcas.
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Excellent - thanks for the advice. Stereomour ordered and off now to snag those Orca's!
Thanks again!
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I have this question...maybe dumb , but, IF a 7 foot line stage with MANY drivers is 96 db efficient, can a single digit or a 15 to 20 watt really deliver the power and grip to power all those drivers?? or is there MORE to the "efficiency" ratings than just db? thank you for any reply
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Sure, because the amp doesn't really have to "grip" the drivers. Each individual driver is barely moving compared to a single driver putting out the same SPL. Think about how much more linear that could be and you start to understand why bass arrays kind of fascinate me.
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Thank you Doc... And I know, arrays have always caught my eye as well... I have heard a couple bass arrays..1 being a DIY job to GREAT effect..2 towers of 6 15 inchers.. each driver barely had to move and the bass "quality" was excellent... they were used in a set of Infinity RS-1s.. the guy wanted to improve on the original bass arrays with the watkins drivers.. He thought he succeeded and was pleased...