Harmon Kardon 430
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Turnergande
Active Member
Appears that the McIntosh X14 4-way speakers have sealed box 89dB sensitivity and can handle 100 watts RMS, 175 watts peak. I would think the relatively robust HK 430 with at least 25 watt output per channel should be able to drive the XR-14 with that equalizer from a normal to near high listening level in a typical home listening room. If you need to turn the volume knob much past 11 or 12 noon then you might risk clipping (?).
Those 'pricey when new' speakers sound interesting with the equalizer mentioned - very flat frequency range - just what a tube amp likes, but again one with a decent power output.
Obviously a solid-state amp with more than 25 watt output will provide better headroom to handle peaks in the sound source. 50 to 60 watt output seems a more reasonable range for playing up to very high volumes in that particular speaker. I'm no expert and what I have said here is just my opinion.
I read another post in another audio website and the individual commenter indicated 10 to 25 watt minimum should provide good sound with those speakers. To my mind 10 watts (more typically a tube amp) are much better suited for highly sensitive speakers rated well above 90 dB. Hope this helps!
Those 'pricey when new' speakers sound interesting with the equalizer mentioned - very flat frequency range - just what a tube amp likes, but again one with a decent power output.
Obviously a solid-state amp with more than 25 watt output will provide better headroom to handle peaks in the sound source. 50 to 60 watt output seems a more reasonable range for playing up to very high volumes in that particular speaker. I'm no expert and what I have said here is just my opinion.
I read another post in another audio website and the individual commenter indicated 10 to 25 watt minimum should provide good sound with those speakers. To my mind 10 watts (more typically a tube amp) are much better suited for highly sensitive speakers rated well above 90 dB. Hope this helps!
Thanks for the feeback. I do not plan to irritate the neighbors.
I just got H/K 430 and hooked it up to some small Polks out in my office to listen to it. Really sounds nice. Amazing tuner. Both the AM with the built in AM tuner and the FM with a ribbon antenna pull in so many more stations than the Yamaha 90 receiver it will be replacing. It does need to have one or two lamps replaced and the tuner lamp too. Found a great thread on another website showing the lamp replacement process. The fuse type lamps just click in and out! So easy.
Will clean up, deoxit it and get it matched up to the Mcs. Will let you know how it works out.
I just got H/K 430 and hooked it up to some small Polks out in my office to listen to it. Really sounds nice. Amazing tuner. Both the AM with the built in AM tuner and the FM with a ribbon antenna pull in so many more stations than the Yamaha 90 receiver it will be replacing. It does need to have one or two lamps replaced and the tuner lamp too. Found a great thread on another website showing the lamp replacement process. The fuse type lamps just click in and out! So easy.
Will clean up, deoxit it and get it matched up to the Mcs. Will let you know how it works out.
