VTA Amp For 85db Speakers

I am wondering if the ST-120 would be sufficient to drive a pair of Selah Tempesta? Impedance: 5 ohms/nominal, 4 ohms/minimum, Sensitivity: 85.5dB. Or would the M-125 mono's be a better fit? I'm currently running a pair of Ncore 400 mono amps. They do sound wonderful, but after building the SP14 preamp I'm thinking about trying one of the VTA amps. Thanks!

-Jeff

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Thanks Peter!  My room is 15'x18' with my listening position 10' from speakers.  I don't listen excessively loud but will crank it up at times.  

-Cheers

Based on this calculator previously posted by audiobill, the VTA-120 would be able to drive those speakers to about 88-90 dBSPL.

http://www.crownaudio.com/elect-pwr-req.htm

Mike

Ten inches from the speakers? I think that would qualify as "near field listening" ...

I drive an ST120 to ridiculous levels with plenty to spare - 100+ SPL on the crescendos with a 6db cut on the preamp signal and a couple notches left on amp gain. KT120 tubes and 89db McIntosh XR16 big box speakers. Room hovering bass with exceptional air. The amp is the front half of a quad system and I've got two sets of speakers via a Dynaco Quadraptor in hafler mode to fill in the ambiance. Primary seating position is around six feet, so room size isn't really an issue here.

Your call, but I'm sure you'd be happy with the ST120 using the four ohm taps. That setup isn't very well documented, but I'm sure Bob can fill in the details ...

Bob? Oh Bob ... wherefore art thou?

sKiZo wrote:Ten inches from the speakers? I think that would qualify as "near field listening" ...

Good catch!  Also my room is bigger than 15"x18" . I corrected the earlier post.  Listening position is 10 feet.  Thanks!!!

Bob Latino wrote:Hi Jeff,

The VTA ST-120 is conservatively rated at 60 WPC but will put out more power than advertised. A 15 X 18 room is not terribly large. The VTA ST-120 would drive your 85+ dB speakers to volume levels that would satisfy you ..

Bob

Good to know Bob. Much appreciated!

-Jeff