Does my amp have enough current to drive my speakers?

[Nick1881]

Hi,

I was in a hi-fi shop yesterday and I was talking to the guy about amps, when I told him I was running KEF R500 off a Arcam FMJ A38 he pulled a face, he said the Arcam doesn't really have enough current to do the R500 justice. Does this sound right? I've never really felt it lacked enough power to drive them properly but I do want to try some different amps on them.

I'm looking at either trying a Sugden A21a or a Krell KAV 400xi which of these would be the best bet? Bearing in mind it will be integrated into my AV setup, the Sugden will be a pain having the set the volume dial to the right point.

Any thoughts please?

 

[unclepuncle]

Trust your own ears - I presume the shop was not an Arcam dealer?

If you want a new integrated anyway then something like this would be a big step up on the Arcam:

http://www.hifiwigwam.com/showthread.php?81632-FS-Perreaux-Eloquence-150i-Integrated-Amp&highlight=perreaux

 

[Beobloke]

The A38 is a great amplifier IMHO - one of Arcam's best. It's rated at 105W per channel into 8 Ohms and 200W into 4 Ohms, meaning its power supply is nice and stiff so it should have no problem with current delivery. Equally the R500s don't exhibit any particular nasties in their impedance response, as I recall, and KEF quote their minimum impedance as 3.2Ohms, which is perfectly normal for a speaker if it uses 4Ohm drive units.

In summary, I call piffle and tommyrot from said shop. By all means shove more watts up 'em if you feel the urge but the Arcam will be more than up to the task.

 

[Nick1881]

They are an Arcam dealer.

That Perreaux looks awesome but a bit rich for me.

Thanks for the replies. I thought he might have been talking rubbish. I still want to try another amp anyway just to see how it compares, at the moment I've only heard the A38 driving them.

 

[unclepuncle]

Theres an ATC SIA2 150 in the classifieds for £750 - that should be pretty good.

 

[Tel]

If he suggests bi-amping with an Arcam power amp walk out and never darken his doors again!

 

[Neilb]

I wouldn't worry Nick. That Arcam should be fine. Unclepuncle's comment about the Atc is a good one though. I do wish hifi shop people wouldn't do that though. Tutting and suddenly (and needlessly) making customers who've paid hard earned cash for a new product suddenly doubt their perfectly good purchase decision. Your Arcam is all the amp 99% of people will ever need. Very nice amp.

 

[idektron]

Hi,I've never really felt it lacked enough power to drive them properly..

I personally wouldn't let a dealer intimidate you out of something you felt comfortable with in the first place. Don't forget about his sales agenda.. But if you fancy something new just do it on its sonic merits and your own opinion..

 

[The Strat]

It's all relative isn't it. The Arcam is great and more than capable but give them a more power/articulate amp and they'll do more but that's for you to judge not the bloke in the shop!!!!!

 

[amazement]

Nick what happened to your R300's, thought your arcam drove them ok at scalford?

I have to say thought that since I moved from my XS amp to the supernait my R300's do sound better driven, but we are only talking an extra 20 watts, I think it's more to do with current than watts.

I don't think the sugden would drive them as good as your arcam watt for watt.

 

[Nick1881]

Thanks guys.

I'm hopefully going to get to listen to the Krell KAV 400 in my room, if it blows me away then I'll be handing over the cash for that.

I sold the R300's on and changed to R500, I prefer the look of floorstanders, they go slightly lower and are slimmer so further away from the back wall. I will have to come to a listen to yours with the new amp.