Stereomour and FPIII extended

[Sh7eleven]

So Right now I run an FPIII extended into some ASL wave 8's with auricap mod. They drive coincident triumph's - booksehlf's 97 version, which I believe are 91 db sensitivity (though they might be 93, Ill have to dig up the manual.) 

So now I have the upgrade itch.  I was thinking I'd like to replace the wave 8's with the stereomour.  Being integrated, I suppose I wouldn't need the FPIII with the stereomour.  I could use the FPIII to help fund an eros to use for my as yet completed Rega P3. 

Three questions then:

1. Could steromour drive the coincidents? I think I might be in borderline territory.  Listening room is about 15 x 20 living room, maybe smaller. I listen to jazz, indie rock, rock, electronic. I don't listen at high volumes very often.

2. Are people using the FPIII with the Stereomour? How do the Stereomour and FPIII compare - does the FP3 take the steromour up a notch? Would it be a waste to have essentially two pre-amps.  (Are people utilizing them both to have 6 inputs??) Newbie tech question, be gentle  - If my speakers aren't that sensitive, would the FPIII into the stereomour aid in overcoming the lack of power to drive them due to the added gain from the preamp - I know it doesn't add wattage, but are there benefits of using the pre-amp to amplify the signal before passing it on to the amp - my guess is no.

3.  Is it worth relying on solely on the stereomour and exchanging the FPIII for the eros for the added capability of the rega?


I love having these kinds of problems!

[Grainger49]

I'm using Paramours, monoblock Stereomour, in a 14'X23' room and it gets louder than I care to listen to.  I listen to the mid 80dBA range.  But I wouldn't get rid of the FP III to begin with.  I have heard the Wave 8s, pretty often when they first came out.  The Stereomour has a volume pot, no balance, one 3 inputs.  

Since you have the FP III, try the Stereomour with and without it.  I bet you will keep the FP III.

[fullheadofnothing]

Just a quick correction, the Stereomour has 3 switched inputs. You may find it runs out of steam on your speakers, but that is conjecture based on numbers, not experience.

[Sh7eleven]

Thanks for the advice Grainger,

After contemplating parting ways with the FPIII and listening to Ween's 12 golden country greats, I realized it might be hard to let go of the FPIII  , it was my first.  (12 GCG is not a reference recording, its just awesome and helps me think things through,  )  I'll probably follow your advice and compare with and without the FP3 and my guess is that I'll just have to dig hard for an eros or a seduction for the Rega. Yeah Debt!

Is it possible to drive the 91 to 93 db coincident's in the 45 configuration or am I pushing it at that point?

After a little more digging, I've seen that some people mention that they have built the stereomour as an amp only - being mostly a begginer I'd probably prefer to follow the instructions, but would it be difficult to skip the pre-amp section?  I suppose if I have the FPIII i don't really need another volume control or selector.  

[porcupunctis]

 I currently use a FPIII  with a SEX amp.  They work great together and I am sure it would be a great combo with the Stereomour  as well.

I have that Ween album as well.   What a hoot!   I'm not sure the country fans would recognize it as parody.  More precious than fine ore.

[Paul Joppa]

Re: skipping the preamp section...

Like most integrated amps today, the preamp section is just the volume control. No tubes or electronics beyond what would be there for the plain-amp version. It's a somewhat high gain first stage, so no more gain is needed. Therefor, to skip the preamp section, just turn the volume knob all the way up.

Actually, if you are using a separate preamp, the volume knob on an integrated like this is handy for setting the signal levels. Most systems have too much gain, and reducing it at judicious points can optimize the signal to noise ratio.

[Sh7eleven]

Thanks Paul,

Turning it all the way up sounds like a much easier solution for me as a beginner than to try to alter the build.

[coca]

I agree with those who say keep the FP3. However, what do you plan to do with the wave 8's? Hint, Hint.

Bernie.

[Jim R.]

Hey Bernie,

I've got a pair of wave-8s driving my Orcas right now, but once my stereomour is done, they'll probably be looking for a new home -- I'll let you know when that happens.  Very slim chance I'll keep them, but only because I'm not sure I want to start collecting amps again, but I really do enjoy these little buggers.

As to the OP, yes, definitely try the fp III if you have it, it may just make enough of a difference -- not in output power per se, but in subjective weight of the music presentation to make your current speakers work satisfactorily.  I'm thinking the 45 would be pushing it though, but it is really so hard to tell based on numbers alone -- much more at play than just raw power output and speaker sensitivity ratings.

HTH,

Jim

[Grainger49]

BTW, I listen to 93dBW speakers.  Maybe they are 94dBW, it depends on which review you read.

[Sh7eleven]

Well Bernie, the wave 8's will be looking for a new home after the stereomour - but I haven't even ordered it yet and I am taking the bar exam at the end of july. My guess is I'll be hanging onto them for a while. So you might want to hop on Jim's pair.

When your done with the stereomour Jim I'd love to hear your impressions in the change from the wave 8's to the stereomour with the orcas - I was looking at the orcas last night instead of studying. They're beautiful looking and supposedly sound beautiful too.

[Sh7eleven]

Grainger, is your stereomour in the 45 or 2a3 configuration?

[Grainger49]

I have Paramours, monoblocks and in 2A3 configuration.

[Sh7eleven]

pulled the trigger on a stereomour! Psyched! Also after pouring through the stereomour forum, I realize that a couple of questions of mine had already been answered already so thanks for taking the time with me. 

I've asked a friend who has woodworking experience to help design a base - gotta plug the gravity plate design to allow the freedom to change the base. We'll see how it turns out and I'll post some pictures. 

[Jim R.]

Hi Sean,

Excellent choice!  I think you're going to be pleasantly surprised when you hear the difference between a PP pentode amp (although the 6bm8 is a nice sounding tube) and a directly heated triode in single-ended class A mode.  If you don't know what all that means, that's fine, but trust me, your ears will know very quickly :-).

-- Jim


Bernie, you've got EM and PM... :-)