1st amp suggestions?

[albireo13]

Hi,
 I'm looking for a simple stereo amp to drive my bedroom speakers (Energy RC-Minis) ... 91dB efficiency.
This will be my first tube amp project.
I would like > 3w/ch, preferably 5+w/ch.    The SEX amp seems a tad weak for me.
Any other Bottlehead ideas or options?

Thanks,
Rob

[Paul Birkeland]

By changing two parts per channel in the SEX amp (one resistor, one capacitor), you can get close to double the output power by using the 6EM7 tube.  (It's quite advisable to get the MQ upgrade also, as there is a bit more headroom in that iron than the stock output transformer)  Also, you could build the 2 watt version and evaluate the need for more power.

-Paul

[Grainger49]

The stock configurations for the Bottlehead amps are 2WPC S.E.X. amp, 3.5 WPC Paramour/Stereomour (coming soon) and Paramount 2A3 3WPC or Paramount 300B 9 WPC.  The last is one kit which you can buy with 2A3 or 300B or with both tubes.

Your listening habits and room size will go into what power is really needed for your Energy RC-Minis.  Maybe you could find a Bottlehead near you that would bring his amp over for you to try?

[corndog71]

For a bit more power you should also see if you can find a Dynaco ST35 or SCA-35.  And don't forget the Bottlehead preamp!

[Paul Joppa]

My bedroom system doubles as the home theater - a TV at one end of the former attic. I have JBL L-36's rated 89dB/m/w with a SEX amp and it's more than enough loudness for me, with DVDs. I do NOT try to emulate the movie theater loudness however! So I say it depends a lot on how loud you want to play music in the bedroom - are you setting a romantic mood, or do you need to cover up the screaming?  What do you DO in there anyhow?!  :^)   

[mp9]

www.energy-speakers.com/na-en/products/rc-mini-specifications/  they're 88db 8Ω /4Ω min, i don't think they'll be a good match with any of these amps.

[Paul Joppa]

www.energy-speakers.com/na-en/products/rc-mini-specifications/  they're 88db 8Ω /4Ω min, i don't think they'll be a good match with any of these amps.

OK agreed - thanks for posting the information. Running on the 4 ohm tap, which you would need to do because of the low minimum impedance, the effective sensitivity for one speaker is 85dB/m/watt and would call for 50 watts to meet the normal audiophile expectations in a normal listening room.

I can see a bedroom system being in a smaller room, and playing less loud, so I would expect less than 50 watts to be adequate - but 2 watts is not going to cut it! Eight watts might work if you listen as quiet as I do in the bedroom/TV room, but if you are doing more serious listening it would fall short for most people.

[Grainger49]

The original poster received 4 replies the same day he posted.  He hasn't responded since 2/19 and as I edit my post it is 3/1.  His post count is still at 1.  He is either very busy or not really interested.

[jtkarma]

Get the SEX. I run a bone stock SEX amp with all sorts of crazy speakers I'm not supposed to but they always sound plenty loud to me and very detailed. I tend to listen to classical music and my listening room is rather small so your mileage may vary. The SEX amp can make some rather weak speakers sound quite nice. It is bass shy for sure but I'm not listening to pop or rap. The detail to be found in cello music is stunning with this amp.

Right now I'm listening through some Klipsch KSB 3.1 speakers and a Bongiorno SS preamp. I've got the Sony digital radio and it is a stone cold blast.

BTW enjoy the build, it goes by way too fast.