Sapphire XL with 30 tube watts?

greg7 · « **on:** 7 Oct 2007, 03:47 am »

I already spoke to someone at ACI who assured me 30 tubed watts is adequate for the Sapphire XL (in a smaller 13' x 15' room) but I'm just curious for more opinions from owners. Thanks.

Zero · « **Reply #1 on:** 7 Oct 2007, 04:26 am »

Greg,

Unless you intend to crack the sheet-rock on your walls with ear splitting volume, 30 solid valve watts are more than enough to drive the Sapphire XL's safely and succesfully.

Eric · « **Reply #2 on:** 8 Oct 2007, 01:45 pm »

I heard them one with 60 tube watts ( A grommes) and they sounded wonderful. Much will depend on how lound you like to listen, room size, etc.

Mike Dzurko · « **Reply #3 on:** 9 Oct 2007, 01:31 pm »

Quote from: Eric on 8 Oct 2007, 01:45 pm

I heard them one with 60 tube watts ( A grommes) and they sounded wonderful. Much will depend on how lound you like to listen, room size, etc.

Eric:

Remember how the Grommes rep said there was NO way the little 6 watt triode would even play the Sapphire XLs? He claimed it wasn't possible for a monitor to have the right impedance characteristics. I wish I would have gotten him to lay money on it, he was pretty surprised! I'll say it again, the XLs are far easier to drive than the efficiency alone suggests . . .

TONEPUB · « **Reply #4 on:** 9 Oct 2007, 08:44 pm »

I agree with Mike! I've used the Sapphire XL's with about 40 different amps large
and small over the last year and a half. They are the most speaker freindly
small speakers I've yet to use, which suggests excellent crossover design.

They have also shown excellent compatibility with a very wide range of speaker
cables as well.

This is definitely a speaker you can't go wrong with!

Eric · « **Reply #5 on:** 10 Oct 2007, 04:11 pm »

Quote from: Mike Dzurko on 9 Oct 2007, 01:31 pm

Quote from: Eric on 8 Oct 2007, 01:45 pm
I heard them one with 60 tube watts ( A grommes) and they sounded wonderful. Much will depend on how lound you like to listen, room size, etc.

Eric:

Remember how the Grommes rep said there was NO way the little 6 watt triode would even play the Sapphire XLs? He claimed it wasn't possible for a monitor to have the right impedance characteristics. I wish I would have gotten him to lay money on it, he was pretty surprised! I'll say it again, the XLs are far easier to drive than the efficiency alone suggests . . .

I have never had any trouble driving my ACI speakers with tubes. The Jags lover speakers. I heard the sapphires being drived by a little Grommes that I think was less than 10 watts. It also sounded great