RCA Victor Tube Amp SHP-8, choosing the right speakers

[spacemantim]

Hello,

I picked up an SHP-8 that had the right price, likely came from a cabinet, to use as an amp for my record player . I've nearly finished recapping just waiting on a couple tubes from the bay before its back to a working state. Apart from adding in bluetooth to the tape input I am keeping the use case very similar to it's first job.

Where I am out of my familiarity is matching speakers to tubes. I was planning on making a set of bookshelf speakers since this unit can be set up to manage stereo. The label says 105 watts and in the schematics I've been working with they were running 2x 3 1/2" and 2x 12" (6-8Ω) in mono with 8uF for crossovers . I was hoping for some recommendations on combos that would be tube friendly, ideally something that shows the what this tube amp can do. Appreciate any suggestions!

 

[mrwood200]

Hello - Good luck on your project!
There is a forum here for just speakers. You may consider posting over there, but I will still weigh in!
You will need some efficient speakers (see below). I would like 90+dB. Speakers with horns tend to work well with tubes.
If you want to build, you will need other advice. If you would consider buying, a number of options are out there, including vintage Klipsch speakers.

The label says 105 watts

I believe that is power consumption. Music power output from a single 6V6GT tube will be ~5W.

 

[gadget73]

realistically more like 3-4, assuming the speakers are the correct impedance for those transformers. Looks like you get 8 or 16 as options.

 

[Dswankey]

Fwiw

SHP-8 is the console model #, the amp should be a RS-171

Some previous threads if your so inclined

RCA RS-171 site:audiokarma.org - Google Search

 

[RWood]

In its original home that amp would have been paired with light duty 12” speakers and a pair of paper tweeters all meant to work in a large, open cabinet.

Bookshelf speakers are a world away from the above, but what you’ve got in single ended 6V6 amps with 6CG7s could pair beautifully …….. especially in near field situations and in medium small rooms.

Great workbench amps. I miss mine. With it I used a pair of 6.5” woofer, dome tweeter with a port in the front. When the first watt sounds great you might not even need all 3 or 4.

 

[spacemantim]

Thanks for the suggestions and replies.

I did some searching in the wattage & efficiency range and stumbled on a set of admiral tunnel reflex with the 10RG11s and tweeters for $40. Not sure what to do with these tweeters but I'll leave it all unmolested and try them out when I've got the amp ready. I'll put a post the speakers forum for some ideas on a new design. Once I got the amp working neatly I'll update this with some pics.