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skyhawk Introductory Contributor
Joined: 21 May 2013 Posts: 5
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Posted: Sun May 26, 2013 11:23 pm Post subject: Advice on VSI60 Integrated Amp for KEF Speakers |
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Hello everyone. Question, would the Audio Research VSI60 integrated amp be a good choice to match up with the KEF 104ab speakers?
2nd question, does the VSI60 amp have a passive pre-amp inside it?
Thanks to all who respond. |
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TL 200 Senior Contributor 100+
Joined: 27 Jul 2009 Posts: 141 Location: Emmer-Compascuum The Netherlands
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Posted: Mon May 27, 2013 10:32 am Post subject: Re: Advice on VSI60 Integrated Amp for KEF Speakers |
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skyhawk wrote: | Hello everyone. Question, would the Audio Research VSI60 integrated amp be a good choice to match up with the KEF 104ab speakers?
2nd question, does the VSI60 amp have a passive pre-amp inside it?
Thanks to all who respond. |
http://www.audioresearch.com/VSi60.html
Take a look at this. _________________ Without music, life would be a mistake.
Friedrich Wilhelm Nietzsche,
The Twilight of the Idols, 1889 |
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skyhawk Introductory Contributor
Joined: 21 May 2013 Posts: 5
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Posted: Tue May 28, 2013 2:12 am Post subject: |
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I see. So the VSI60 has a passive preamp. What would be the result of using it with the KEF ab speakers? I don't understand why a passive preamp would not be a good match for the KEFs. |
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audiolabtower VIP Contributor 500+
Joined: 06 Jan 2009 Posts: 686
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Posted: Tue May 28, 2013 10:20 am Post subject: |
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There is no reason a passive preamp should not be ok. It is basically just a potentiometer on the input of the power amp, as long as the amp has sufficient sensitivity for whatever inputs you use the speakers can be driven to capacity. In the vs160 is appears to be relay controlled resistor ladder? The 50 watts is rated at 1.5% distortion which means that the usual way of defining power at 0.1% distortion is going to be somewhat less power. Purely my personal opinion I would like nearer a 100W amp with the 104s for transients since they are probably one of the most inefficient speakers Kef made. However valve amps are forgiving of clipping and depending on the size of your room and the loudness required it might be fine. But the vs160 talks about low impedance drive, the 104 is more like 10 ohms minimum across the power hungry bass and midrange, whether it has the voltage drive to run the 104s to capacity might be debatable? |
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skyhawk Introductory Contributor
Joined: 21 May 2013 Posts: 5
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Posted: Tue May 28, 2013 10:44 am Post subject: |
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Thanks for the reply. I had been considering the Jolida 302CRC integrated amp. Then I saw and read about the VSI 60 amp. I really want a tube amp. Any thoughts on the Jolida amp? I really don't want to buy something used unless I really know the history of the component. Any suggestions? |
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iso Senior Contributor 200+
Joined: 29 Aug 2011 Posts: 215 Location: Finland
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Posted: Wed May 29, 2013 12:27 am Post subject: VSI60 |
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Vsi60 specs specify 7dB or was it 7,5dB overal feedback... so outputimpedance would be something like 1,5-2,5 ohm from 8 ohm tap. Audiolabtower might have better undestanding how much 104aB do have impedanse variation... but I suppose that this is not ideal situation.
ARC Classics and CJ Premier 11 do have outputimpedances at around 0,5ohm, so speaker load caracteristics are not too important consideration with them. But they do need proper preamp for good performance.
Audiolabtowers note about unbuffered pot in integrated amp like VSI60 is correct. Situation is bit different when using poweramps due inteconnects and maybe for other reasons too.
Best Regards
Kimmo |
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audiolabtower VIP Contributor 500+
Joined: 06 Jan 2009 Posts: 686
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Posted: Wed May 29, 2013 3:03 pm Post subject: Re: VSI60 |
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iso wrote: | Audiolabtower might have better undestanding how much 104aB do have impedanse variation...
Kimmo |
My old 104 manual showed 10 ohm to ~ 40 to 60 ohm (depending on switch position) up to 5 kHz, and 6 ohm at 10 kHz so you are quite right, a high amp output impedance will give a freq response that is a squashed down curve of the impedance plot. One of the reasons amps can sound different if the energy outputs in different frequency bands differ from flat to "lumpy" giving the impression of more or less detail etc. |
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