[murphy11]

Vinnie,

Any ideas how the 30 would sound paired with the ONIX Strata minis? http://www.av123.com/products_product.php?section=speakers&product=78.1

[murphy11]

Also, is this an analog amp and is a preamp required?

[gary]

Those speakers are very inefficient with complicated crossovers, I wouldn't try to power them with the Sig 30. It's a minimalist, low-power amp and it's better suited to minimalist, high-efficiency speakers.

As for preamps, the general consensus is that this is a statement type product that doesn't need a preamp and if you're going to add one to color the sound it needs to be top-of-the-line.

Gary

[Vinnie R.]

Vinnie,

Any ideas how the 30 would sound paired with the ONIX Strata minis? http://www.av123.com/products_product.php?section=speakers&product=78.1

Hi Murphy11,

I don't think the Signature 30 will have a problem driving those speakers.  It looks like the bass driver contains its own amplifier (like Gary's Bastanis), so you can connect the Signature 30's RCA outputs to the speaker's RCA inputs on the bass amplifier.

Those speakers are rated at 86dB.  I'm powering Maggie MG12s with a Sig 30 (86dB, 4-ohm) and they get plenty loud and really sound great!  I've heard the Signature 30 powering 86dB, 8-ohm rated DeVore Gibbon 3s bookshelf speakers... again, no problem at all. 

The Signature 30's is rated at 30 "clean" watts RMS (0.04% THD+N) and is NOT restricted to use with only higher efficiency speakers (like the 6-watt Clari-T-Amp was). 

Also, is this an analog amp and is a preamp required?

This is a Class-T amp, and regarding a preamp, I have to agree 100% with Gary 

Best regards,

Vinnie

[murphy11]

Thanks Vinnie and Gary. Vinnie you're right that the 8" woofer is powered by the built in amp. AV123 is offering a nicely priced package with 38W tube amp so I thought the Sig 30 might work. HMMM - decisions decisions. 

[Vinnie R.]

Thanks Vinnie and Gary. Vinnie you're right that the 8" woofer is powered by the built in amp. AV123 is offering a nicely priced package with 38W tube amp so I thought the Sig 30 might work. HMMM - decisions decisions. 

Murphy11,

Usually, lower powered amps stuggle with less efficient speakers when it comes to having enough power in the bass department at louder volumes (when you want some SLAM).  With a built-in amp for the bass driver, you should be all set (not to be confused with all S.E.T.  ).

If you have some extra change, you can always buy both the tube amp and the Signature 30, and keep the one you like better (if AV123 offers a similar return policy on it). 

If you have any other questions, feel free to contact me.

Best regards,

Vinnie

[macrojack]

I imagine the 38 watt tube amp you referenced must be the Onix SP-3. It is a screaming bargain and really sounds uncommonly good for the money you pay, especially on the used market but it will not touch the Sig 30 in any way sonically, particularly in the areas of silent background and high resolution. I have both of these amps on hand if you'd like to come by for a comparison. Another important difference is the line level outputs. The Sig 30 has them and the Onix does not.

[murphy11]

macrojack yes the amp in the package deal is the SP3  You're not anywhere near philly are you?

[macrojack]

Pretty far away from Philly. I'm on the Utah border in western Colorado. Planning a ski trip?

[murphy11]

Thanks for the offer - will be a while before I pay off Christmas