Recommended power handling for PMC

[jwhite613]

Originally Posted by jdebonth

Ian,

I am currently running the FB1i's through a primare A32.2 power amp rated at 120W per channel into 8 Ohm; 200W per channel into 4 Ohm.

In the long term I would like to upgrade to OB1i, PB1i or EB1i with suitable McIntosh amplification, say the MC402.

I could upgrade the MC402 now and then upgrade the speaker in around 6months time however I prefer to upgrade the speaker first as I believe this will give me noticably better SQ than the amp upgrade.

Which PMC models would I be able to run with my current primare amp, I typically do not listen at high volume levels. Are the recommended power levels based on 8 Ohm or 4 Ohm?

Thanks!

Hi. I can tell my OB1i's sound great with my MC402. Great combo. I have no plans to upgrade either in the near future.

[jbaudio68]

Duplicate post. Please disregard.

[jbaudio68]

Hey everyone. I hope I am replying properly to this post (Ive been following the posts but am new to replying). Please let me know if I am getting off track but I have some questions I hope you can help me with.

I am currently running an a pair of IB2S speakers via (2) mon-blocked 275s driven by an mcd500/apple PowerBook. I would be very happy if I had not heard a pair of ib2i speakers driven by 1.2k amps at audio classics. The 275s were preferred for the mids and highs but the low end was truly amazing with the 1.2k amps.

After the demo, I'm pretty sure I don't need the 1.2k amps but I do need something. I love tubes and know the ib2s speakers have the bass I need if I can power them correctly. So on to my questions:

C220MC275: are you happy the low end your mc2301s provide? Also, I saw your post using the 8 ohm taps for increased bass. Do you know if there is any risk setting the taps on my 275s to 8 ohm to test this?

Ian: I noticed the ib2 speakers had a lower handling requirement. Is this due to the smaller cabinets?

General: any thoughts on whether I would be better off with upgrading to the 2301s or bi-amping with a 602 (or perhaps upgrading to the 601s). I know some of this is preference but I wonder if any of these options are a clear no no based on my current speakers. If I can get a great sound without all the extra wires then that would be great.

Many thanks! - Jeremy

[klipschfan]

Originally Posted by jbaudio68

Hey everyone. I hope I am replying properly to this post (Ive been following the posts but am new to replying). Please let me know if I am getting off track but I have some questions I hope you can help me with.

I am currently running an a pair of IB2S speakers via (2) mon-blocked 275s driven by an mcd500/apple PowerBook. I would be very happy if I had not heard a pair of ib2i speakers driven by 1.2k amps at audio classics. The 275s were preferred for the mids and highs but the low end was truly amazing with the 1.2k amps.

After the demo, I'm pretty sure I don't need the 1.2k amps but I do need something. I love tubes and know the ib2s speakers have the bass I need if I can power them correctly. So on to my questions:

C220MC275: are you happy the low end your mc2301s provide? Also, I saw your post using the 8 ohm taps for increased bass. Do you know if there is any risk setting the taps on my 275s to 8 ohm to test this?

Ian: I noticed the ib2 speakers had a lower handling requirement. Is this due to the smaller cabinets?

General: any thoughts on whether I would be better off with upgrading to the 2301s or bi-amping with a 602 (or perhaps upgrading to the 601s). I know some of this is preference but I wonder if any of these options are a clear no no based on my current speakers. If I can get a great sound without all the extra wires then that would be great.

Many thanks! - Jeremy

Easy way out, least expensive and most likely the best sound would be to add (2) JL Audio F112 or F113 subs to your current system.

If you don't want to go the sub route. Go with a pair of MB2i/S.

[kfr01]

Originally Posted by jbaudio68

Hey everyone. I hope I am replying properly to this post (Ive been following the posts but am new to replying). Please let me know if I am getting off track but I have some questions I hope you can help me with.

I am currently running an a pair of IB2S speakers via (2) mon-blocked 275s driven by an mcd500/apple PowerBook. I would be very happy if I had not heard a pair of ib2i speakers driven by 1.2k amps at audio classics. The 275s were preferred for the mids and highs but the low end was truly amazing with the 1.2k amps.

After the demo, I'm pretty sure I don't need the 1.2k amps but I do need something. I love tubes and know the ib2s speakers have the bass I need if I can power them correctly. So on to my questions:

C220MC275: are you happy the low end your mc2301s provide? Also, I saw your post using the 8 ohm taps for increased bass. Do you know if there is any risk setting the taps on my 275s to 8 ohm to test this?

Ian: I noticed the ib2 speakers had a lower handling requirement. Is this due to the smaller cabinets?

General: any thoughts on whether I would be better off with upgrading to the 2301s or bi-amping with a 602 (or perhaps upgrading to the 601s). I know some of this is preference but I wonder if any of these options are a clear no no based on my current speakers. If I can get a great sound without all the extra wires then that would be great.

Many thanks! - Jeremy

Those speakers should have more than enough bass for a moderately-sized room. It could be the room's fault. Do you have any treatment?

[Jerome W]

Originally Posted by jbaudio68

Hey everyone. I hope I am replying properly to this post (Ive been following the posts but am new to replying). Please let me know if I am getting off track but I have some questions I hope you can help me with.

I am currently running an a pair of IB2S speakers via (2) mon-blocked 275s driven by an mcd500/apple PowerBook. I would be very happy if I had not heard a pair of ib2i speakers driven by 1.2k amps at audio classics. The 275s were preferred for the mids and highs but the low end was truly amazing with the 1.2k amps.

After the demo, I'm pretty sure I don't need the 1.2k amps but I do need something. I love tubes and know the ib2s speakers have the bass I need if I can power them correctly. So on to my questions:

C220MC275: are you happy the low end your mc2301s provide? Also, I saw your post using the 8 ohm taps for increased bass. Do you know if there is any risk setting the taps on my 275s to 8 ohm to test this?

Ian: I noticed the ib2 speakers had a lower handling requirement. Is this due to the smaller cabinets?

General: any thoughts on whether I would be better off with upgrading to the 2301s or bi-amping with a 602 (or perhaps upgrading to the 601s). I know some of this is preference but I wonder if any of these options are a clear no no based on my current speakers. If I can get a great sound without all the extra wires then that would be great.

Many thanks! - Jeremy

Hello Jeremy,

sorry I just saw your post today.
I have no problems t all with the bass of the 2301's on my speakers, quite the opposite : it is terrific. But some people do prefer the bass of SS amps.
Concerning your 275 in mono, they should not have any problem to drive the IB2 speakers. But you have to know that the impedance outputs of the 275 in mono is not the same as the one used in stereo : the 8 ohms tap become 16 ohms. If you want to get 8 ohms, you need to use the 4 ohm tap.
Cheers,

[ian@pmc]

Originally Posted by jbaudio68

Hey everyone. I hope I am replying properly to this post (Ive been following the posts but am new to replying). Please let me know if I am getting off track but I have some questions I hope you can help me with.

I am currently running an a pair of IB2S speakers via (2) mon-blocked 275s driven by an mcd500/apple PowerBook. I would be very happy if I had not heard a pair of ib2i speakers driven by 1.2k amps at audio classics. The 275s were preferred for the mids and highs but the low end was truly amazing with the 1.2k amps.

After the demo, I'm pretty sure I don't need the 1.2k amps but I do need something. I love tubes and know the ib2s speakers have the bass I need if I can power them correctly. So on to my questions:

C220MC275: are you happy the low end your mc2301s provide? Also, I saw your post using the 8 ohm taps for increased bass. Do you know if there is any risk setting the taps on my 275s to 8 ohm to test this?

Ian: I noticed the ib2 speakers had a lower handling requirement. Is this due to the smaller cabinets?

General: any thoughts on whether I would be better off with upgrading to the 2301s or bi-amping with a 602 (or perhaps upgrading to the 601s). I know some of this is preference but I wonder if any of these options are a clear no no based on my current speakers. If I can get a great sound without all the extra wires then that would be great.

Many thanks! - Jeremy

Hi Jeremy,

It is indeed. It can handle more but this is just the recommended wattage, a benchmark if you will.

I don't think bi-amping is necessary, with a sufficient power amp you wouldn't see big game changing gains... If you like the tube sound then the 2301 may be the ideal amp for you.


Ian.

[BuffaloBill]

Originally Posted by klipschfan

Easy way out, least expensive and most likely the best sound would be to add (2) JL Audio F112 or F113 subs to your current system.

Peter Thomas would not recommend this approach.

[ian@pmc]

Originally Posted by BuffaloBill

Peter Thomas would not recommend this approach.

Two channel is most definitely best left to just two speakers... Especially with Ib2's which are most assuredly reaching down into the subsonic spectrum (<20hz).

[ian@pmc]

Originally Posted by ian@pmc

Hi Jeremy,

It is indeed. It can handle more but this is just the recommended wattage, a benchmark if you will.

I don't think bi-amping is necessary, with a sufficient power amp you wouldn't see big game changing gains... If you like the tube sound then the 2301 may be the ideal amp for you.


Ian.

If a tubed McIntosh is what you are after...