From Unico to ARC

To S. Andrea Sundaram,

My question is simple: Is the Audio Research VSi60 50Wpc integrated amplifier powerful enough for my Sonus Faber Concerto Domus speakers (88dB/4 ohms)? I prefer to listen at high levels (I have the Unico Secondo hybrid amplifier that’s 2 x 100W into 8 ohms) and my room’s dimensions are 5 x 6.5 meters.

How much difference in output level will there be from Unico to Audio Research? Please answer as soon as possible in order that I may buy this amplifier.

Thank you in advance, 
Nakopoulos Dimitris

50W is enough power to drive most speakers to very high levels in all but the largest rooms. Your speaker’s 88dB sensitivity rating is about average. The VSi60 has 4-ohm output taps, so I do not anticipate any problems.

To answer your question more generally, a 50W tube amplifier will only deliver 50W, whether it is into 8 or 4 ohms. Some 100W solid-state amplifiers will deliver 200W into 4 ohms. I’m not sure what your Unico will deliver into 4 ohms. But each doubling of amplifier power increases speaker output by 3dB, so you could be losing as much a 6dB by switching to the Audio Research. Unless you think you're pushing your current amplifier very hard in order to get the levels you want, I wouldn't worry about it though. . . . S. Andrea Sundaram