Harman Kardon 330B Amplifier/Receiver - Is it safe for my KLH Model Sixes??

[dlucy]

Keep in mind that twice as loud is only a 3db increase requiring 10x the power so you need to step up to some serious amplification to rattle the walls.

Well said!

Going over 40 wpc and keeping that cap-coupled warm sound limits your choices. The Sansui Eight (I think) and 7000, the Kenwood KR-2120, KR-4140, KR-5150, and KR-6160 are all cap-coupled.

The KR-5150 was really popular and was 50 wpc. The KR-6160 is 60 wpc and the 7000 is one of highest wpc with 70 w.

 

[dlucy]

Well said!

Going over 40 wpc and keeping that cap-coupled warm sound limits your choices. The Sansui Eight (I think) and 7000, the Kenwood KR-2120, KR-4140, KR-5150, and KR-6160 are all cap-coupled.

The KR-5150 was really popular and was 50 wpc. The KR-6160 is 60 wpc and the 7000 is one of highest wpc with 70 w.

I forgot to say I have run my recapped and redoped KLH Sixes with a recapped and restored Kenwood KR-6160. It is a good combination, too.

 

[kydog]

It’s a very nice pairing and I’ve used that setup for years. Find a nice set of Dynaco A25’s with that 330b and the magic really happens. I moved the Six’s over too my 330c and now have two great go to systems.

 

[Meaudio1]

I'm not a tech but my first system was a KLH model 35 compact music system with a tuner and Dual 1214 turntable in one. It was paired by KLH with sixes as part of that system and I think it was the successor to the famous KLH model 20 music system. My point is the the KLH 35 compact amp put out something like 10 watts per channel RMS. I had to crank it a little for rock music but I never had any pribkems. I have a restored H/K 330b and it is a beautiful sounding receiver. As Doug mentioned the Kenwood kr-5150 is also a great receiver IMO and should also sound great with the sixes.

 

[KentTeffeteller]

Well said!

Going over 40 wpc and keeping that cap-coupled warm sound limits your choices. The Sansui Eight (I think) and 7000, the Kenwood KR-2120, KR-4140, KR-5150, and KR-6160 are all cap-coupled.

The KR-5150 was really popular and was 50 wpc. The KR-6160 is 60 wpc and the 7000 is one of highest wpc with 70 w.

Get a Sansui 4000, cap coupled, period correct mate, 40 WPC. Plenty for KLH Sixes unless you're playing them loud, or boosted beyond slightly.

 

[Pyrrho]

...

If you like the way it sounds and it gets loud enough for your listening then sit back and enjoy.

Excellent advice. One only needs more power if there is a problem (distorted when played too loud, can't play it loud enough to satisfy, etc.).

If it's not loud enough only a more powerful amp will make it louder.

Yes, though there will be a limit to how loud a particular pair of speakers can go, in which case, to get louder than that, one needs to replace the speakers.

Keep in mind that twice as loud is only a 3db increase requiring 10x the power so you need to step up to some serious amplification to rattle the walls.

No. A 3dB increase in volume occurs with a doubling of power. To have a subjective doubling of volume, which is about 10dB, it requires 10 times the power:

While a doubling/halving of perceived loudness corresponds to approximately 10 dB increase/decrease in speaker sensitivity, it also corresponds to approximately 10X multiplication/division of acoustical power. Even a relatively modest 3 dB increase/decrease in sensitivity corresponds to a doubling/halving of acoustical power.​

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Audio_power

See also:

https://www.audioholics.com/room-acoustics/the-decibel-db

Subjectively, a 3dB increase is fairly small; on my Pioneer SX-1250, the volume control is marked in dB, and for some steps, one click is a 3dB difference.