Amp/preamp questions

[klipschism]

I have been contemplating driving my Klipsch horns with a Crown amp and was wondering if a class H amp is appropriate for home use. Also need a preamp that will bring out the best in both components. I currently am using a cheap 50 watt Phillips Costco deck which is to say the least, lackluster. I realize the Crown line has far more power than I could ever use in a home situatuion, but the quality is there and they are reasonable for what you get.
Any thoughts?

 

[mike c]

a lot of people use class H amps at home. but beware that most of these amps have fans, to some people they're no problem but to some they are noisy. that said, these "pro" amps are really bang for the buck in terms of watts per dollar.

I would presonally recommend a receiver as pre-amp. just look for receivers with pre-outs to connect to your crown amp.

also consider that since your Klipsch speakers are most likely very efficient, a decent receiver by itself should be sufficient to run your speakers ... you might not even need a crown amp. but again, in the interest of future proofing, get one with pre-outs. (can't stress that enough)

 

[Davemcc]

also consider that since your Klipsch speakers are most likely very efficient, a decent receiver by itself should be sufficient to run your speakers ... you might not even need a crown amp. but again, in the interest of future proofing, get one with pre-outs. (can't stress that enough)

:thumbs way up: good advice.

 

[fmw]

a lot of people use class H amps at home. but beware that most of these amps have fans, to some people they're no problem but to some they are noisy. that said, these "pro" amps are really bang for the buck in terms of watts per dollar.

I would presonally recommend a receiver as pre-amp. just look for receivers with pre-outs to connect to your crown amp.

also consider that since your Klipsch speakers are most likely very efficient, a decent receiver by itself should be sufficient to run your speakers ... you might not even need a crown amp. but again, in the interest of future proofing, get one with pre-outs. (can't stress that enough)

I second that also. The K-horns ARE very efficient. I owned one many years ago and drove it nicely with a 15 watt tube amplifier back in the pre-stereo days. Like Mike, I recomment you use an A/V receiver. They are more than enough to handle your requirements and more convenient to use.

 

[wire]

I have been contemplating driving my Klipsch horns with a Crown amp and was wondering if a class H amp is appropriate for home use. Also need a preamp that will bring out the best in both components. I currently am using a cheap 50 watt Phillips Costco deck which is to say the least, lackluster. I realize the Crown line has far more power than I could ever use in a home situatuion, but the quality is there and they are reasonable for what you get.
Any thoughts?

I have a old Carver CT-7 ( 2channel ) , its a soft sounding pre ( tube like , you can find them cheap on ebay once and awhile ) . Might go good with the Klipsch horns to smooth them out .
The boys on Carver forum rave about the C-1 pre , never had lots of time with the pre , just heard it in the stores many years ago ( lots of these go for cheap on ebay all the time ) .

 

[Seth=L]

There is a reason that Klipsch work so well with Tube amplifiers, because tube amplifiers can drive virtually any load. Most Klipsch speakers are very efficient, more on average than any other manufacturer, but they can be very taxing on amplifiers because of their tendacy to fluctuate in impedance. Once the amplifier loses control of the speakers they can sound aweful. I recommend putting something behind the Klipsch that is at least 4 ohm rated, regardless of what Klipsch specifies the nominal impedance to be, more often than not they will dip lower or higher than that on a regular basis.

A budget Behringer would work, like the A-500. You might also look on Ebay for older home/pro audio amplifiers from Carver, Hafler, many others the list goes on and on.