[logansb]

Anyone know if the Signature 70's have the clout to drive Mark and Daniel Ruby's? I want to
put together a compact, accurate, off-AC monitor system...thanks

[Vinnie R.]

Anyone know if the Signature 70's have the clout to drive Mark and Daniel Ruby's? I want to
put together a compact, accurate, off-AC monitor system...thanks

Hi Logansb,

Welcome to Audiocircle and the RWA forum!

I never tried the M&D Rubys, nor do I believe I have any customers using the Rubys.

From the 6moons review by Srajan, I found this:

I also presampled my AudioSector Patek SE. Simply run as a 50-watt stereo amp fronted by a 27dB max gain tube preamp with valve regulators (its adjustable gain factor set to third attenuation stage, again to not overload the amp), the puny little box on the floor between the speakers played the Rubies louder than necessary so power was sufficient.

If the 50-watt Patek can drive them, the Sig 70s will be able to as well 

I also read that the impedance of the Ruby is between 3 and 6 ohms.  The Sig 70 will have no trouble with this.  Into 4-ohms, the Sig 70 will give you a very clean 70 watts (0.04% THD+N).  If the 'bar is lowered' to 0.2% THD+N (which is not too shabby), it will give you more like 80 watts THD+N.

I'd say compared to some cheaper digital receivers that claim >100wpc into 8-ohms, I am confident that the Sig 70s will do better.  Such receivers run on high voltage rails, but their current output is limited (this is where they fold like a bad hand when you turn up the volume using a 4-ohm load).  The Sig 70s run on a lower voltage rail, but have much higher output current. 

I'm not saying that the 70s will 'rock the house' with the Rubys, but I do believe these monoblock have enough output current (thanks to the sealed lead-acid batteries and running the TK2051 chip's output stage in "paralleled output mode") to power them to sufficient output levels with good control.

Of course if they don't work out, you can take 'em back (30-day trial period).

I want to
put together a compact, accurate, off-AC monitor system

Be sure to also check out these impressive compact 2-way speakers:
http://www.6moons.com/audioreviews/devore4/gibbon3.html

While they are about $300 more expensive per pair, they sound great with the Sig 30, which is half the cost of the Sig 70s. 

And if you want to try single-driver speakers, Omega will be offering the Super 3 V2s with the upcoming OEM 4.5" hemp cone driver  :
http://www.6moons.com/audioreviews/omega2/super3.html

If you don't mind a monitor that is a little bigger than the ones above, these are also definitely worth checking out!
http://www.omegaloudspeakers.com/compacthemp.html

Best regards,

Vinnie

[Srajan Ebaen]

Um, Vinnie - you might be right but don't forget that my Pateks were fronted by a 27dB preamp. If someone runs the Sig 70s without a preamp, it's not an automatic given that these 82.5dB speakers won't need just a bit more juice. Mind you, it could work just swell - but I wouldn't present it as a fait accompli.

I suggest the questioner also communicate with my reviewer David Kan at [email protected]. He owns Rubys and has tested them with all manner of amps, all affordable, and in pretty good-sized rooms too to add a few more data into this equation.

[Vinnie R.]

Hi Srajan,

Good point.... I read it too quickly and thought it said the Patek's gain was 27dB.     Thanks for catching this.

I'm not sure what the gain is of the Patek (do you know this spec, Srajan?).  The Sig 30 has a gain of 29.5dB and the Sig 70s have a gain of 32dB.

you might be right but don't forget that my Pateks were fronted by a 27dB preamp.

Ok.  I am curious at what gain setting you were running the active preamp?  With active preamps with a digital display, it is easy to read this.  Otherwise, it has to be measured.  Active preamps usually start off will full attenuation (mute) and then as you turn the up the volume control, you reach a point where you are no longer attenuating the source (you hit 0db gain, meaning same voltage coming in is what is coming out), and then you start getting voltage gain (e.g. 5dB, 10dB, etc.).

Also, the voltage of your source comes into play here.  If you are feeding the Sig 70s direct (no preamp) and your source's output voltage is on the low side, say 0.7Vrms, you'll most likely need an active preamp with such an inefficient speaker.  If one were to use a source with output voltage of 2Vrms, you should have no trouble driving the 70s all the way to clipping with the Ruby's.  Of course, it is those damn recordings that are recorded at such low levels that force you to turn up the volume....especially with such inefficient speakers 

Best regards,

Vinnie

[pcandy]

Well, there's one way to find out. Since I've got the Sig 70's in for review and David lives about an hour from me, perhaps we could link up and try the M&D with the 70's? There will also be an opportunity to try them with other speakers later in January when I bring 'em to the Toronto Area Audio Society amp shoot out. It means my review will be a little later than expected but I could post some comments on here earlier if that's helpful to anyone.

By the way, I've been going back and forth from running the 70's direct and with my Manley Shrimp preamp and it's difficult to choose one over the other at this point. However, I'd say the 70's definitely sound more direct and lit up run direct whereas the Shrimp seems to add a little more tonal voluptuousness but at the cost of some transparency and low level detail retrieval. Thus far it seems more a case of personal preference than one being right and the other wrong, but man, the 70's sure sound damn fine on their own. But I suspect that a demanding load like the M&D might want the additional juice of an active stage--there's one way to find out for sure


cheers
paul candy

[Vinnie R.]

Hey Paul,

Welcome to Audiocircle and the RWA forum! 

Since I've got the Sig 70's in for review and David lives about an hour from me, perhaps we could link up and try the M&D with the 70's?

This would be perfect!  I look forward to hearing about your findings.

There will also be an opportunity to try them with other speakers later in January when I bring 'em to the Toronto Area Audio Society amp shoot out.

I really appreicate your willingness to visit the TAAS and participate in the amp shoot out.  Maybe this will be your first "Road Tour" article for 6moons? 
It sounds like this will be a pretty big event and should be a lot of fun. 

It means my review will be a little later than expected but I could post some comments on here earlier if that's helpful to anyone.

Ahhh... the "teaser" review  

People watching this thread might be interested! http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=34175.30

Thanks for all your time and effort with reviewing the Signature 70s and bringing them to the TAAS and to David to try 'em with the M&D Ruby's. 

Hope to see more posts from you here on Audiocircle soon!

Best regards,

Vinnie

PS: Will you be at the Montreal Show in April?  If so, please visit Room 926 (same room as last year)! 

[lonewolfny42]

That Mark & Daniel Ruby speaker looks pretty good....nice and compact.

[Vinnie R.]

Hi Logan,

Appreciate your generous response and am grooving on the interest vortex developing around the possible consummation of this combo courtesy of Paul and David.

You are very welcome and feel free to let me know if you have any other questions.

Best regards,

Vinnie