My new SET 2A3 amp

Congratulations on your purchase Rajiv!

Would love to hear your setup at my next Channai visit.

happy listening.

AFAIK the 2A3 is some 3WRMS right? Is that enough to drive your altecs to listenable limits? I am a noooob in this arena so forgive if its a silly question, but how loud can 3wrms get?

See that, my friend, saved your from the wrath of many audiophiles out here!

Thanks unleash but it still leaves my question unanswered.

Hi Ruenigma,

To answer your question,the Altecs are very efficient (99Db@1 watt).The SET2A3 has more than enough power to drive them.

You are more than welcome to vist and listen to my system ,when you visit Madras.

Regards
Rajiv

Hi,

I thought Rajiv would explain it completely ! but no problems !

The Power of an amp is always dependent on the speakers partnered ,Meaning if you a speaker with relatively less sensitivity say 86dB then you require more power to drive them to the same decibel level as high sensitive speaker say the Altec which Rajiv owns ! its much more complex but without confusing you here's the simple answer.

for every 3dB increase in the speakers sensitivity the Amp power is reduced by almost half to give a desired output or decibel level ! so if the Amp is say the SET 2A3 with 3 watts then 99dB sensitive speakers as Altec at 3 meter listening position would reproduce 91 decibel (if you know how loud is that) of peak sound with 3db Amp headroom !! the same SET Amp if connected to a speaker of 86dB sensitivity then you would only get 78 decibel of peak sound !

Hope you Understood Ruenigma !!

Here's the formula !
Equations used to calculate the data:

dBW = Lreq - Lsens + 20 * Log (D2/Dref) + HR

W = 10 to the power of (dBW / 10)

Where:
Lreq = required SPL at listener
Lsens = loudspeaker sensitivity (1W/1M)
D2 = loudspeaker-to-listener distance
Dref = reference distance
HR = desired amplifier headroom
dBW = ratio of power referenced to 1 watt
W = power required

This does not mean that a less sensitive speaker is inferior in quality of the sound reproduced

Regards.

Thanks a tonne guys! I did read alot about this, however soundsgreat's explaination and a friend's email quote "One watt at one meter could be dangerous" today itself, summed it up for me.

On the positive note I had a call with the Guru (read Viren Bakshi of lyrita) and i am looking forward to own one of the SETs myself.

Will keep you guys updated!!

@Rajiv: I sure would let you know when i am visiting Madras.

Hi,

Glad to know that it helped ! anymore info you need ? any time

As by now you already know the basics, so before you jump to the conclusion of owning a SET amp,please bear in mind the costs of the matching speakers and be very careful in matching it a proper speaker or else the whole point is lost !!

Hope you own it very soon

Keep us hooked !

Regards.

I hope you told Viren which make/model of speakers you own/intend pairing the SET with;
he would be able to guide/advise you properly then.

@Soundsgreat

Yup i understood the cost part of it and have started to accumulate funds for the same. May be around 2-3 months from now i'll be able to get myself the SET. I hope i'd be able to fly to delhi so that i can have a rendevouz with Viren and hopefully Kamalji and other audiophiles too.

@Soundsgreat and Kamalji

I am also saving for the fostex studded beauties from Virenji. so the sensitivity and matching etc shouldn't be a trouble.