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mgeoffriau
12
Dec 10, 2017
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Annndy
89
Dec 11, 2017
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mgeoffriauThose speakers have 89dB efficiency which means that at just ONE watt they will EACH be as loud as a gas-powered lawn mower. I have the TEAC AI-101DA which appears to have the same amplifier in it, and I run Polk Audio Monitor 60 tower speakers (https://www.crutchfield.com/S-3rhwm0d9aZV/p_107MON60B/Polk-Audio-Monitor-60-Black.html) with no trouble at all. This amp is capable of running those speakers at volume levels that are way above what's comfortable and safe for our ears. My speakers are very slightly more efficient than your AR-215PS, but only slightly: 90dB vs. 89dB. The Polks are also rated for 20-200 watts which is way above what these TEAC amplifiers can produce and yet I have had no problems at all.
Now to the question of sound quality when pushing the volume up close to the amp's full capacity; I think because these are "class D" type amps, there isn't any degradation of the sound quality as it approaches its limits. I may be wrong, but from what I have heard, this type of amp is just as clear and distortion-free at its peak capacity as it is at low power. So I think concerns about diminishing sound quality that does occur in tube and traditional transistor amplifiers do not apply to this type of design. I don't know everything about class D amps, so someone who thinks I'm wrong about that should feel free to correct me on that point.
I think this looks like a really sweet system and I'll envy you if you get it. I think it would be an excellent match for your reasonably efficient speakers.
Now to the question of sound quality when pushing the volume up close to the amp's full capacity; I think because these are "class D" type amps, there isn't any degradation of the sound quality as it approaches its limits. I may be wrong, but from what I have heard, this type of amp is just as clear and distortion-free at its peak capacity as it is at low power. So I think concerns about diminishing sound quality that does occur in tube and traditional transistor amplifiers do not apply to this type of design. I don't know everything about class D amps, so someone who thinks I'm wrong about that should feel free to correct me on that point.
I think this looks like a really sweet system and I'll envy you if you get it. I think it would be an excellent match for your reasonably efficient speakers.
Annndy
89
Dec 22, 2017
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AnnndyI read up on class D amps and I feel it is important to post this update to my previous response with two brief points. First, class D amps can indeed distort just like other amps as they are pushed to produce more power. So if you are looking for very high volumes this and other relatively low-powered class D amps would become distorted at close to full power. Second, this receiver appears to use the same amplifier module as their bottom of the line integrated amp the AI101DA. That amp is not particularly low distortion so I have to say it's probably not up to "audiophile" standards for full size speaker use above low, safe listening levels. I have the AI101DA and I find it perfectly wonderful for driving large speakers, but I use it at relatively low levels. That small amp also does, I feel, a very good job in the role of headphone amp. But if you want to crank out the jams on less than super efficient speakers and you are looking for distortion-free power, this isn't the right model.
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However, I'm a bit concerned about the power rating. This Teac is rated at 26 watts at 4 ohms, while my AR-215PS speakers recommend 20-100 watts at 8 ohms. (https://www.crutchfield.com/S-BqZCi97dOA3/p_058AR215B/Acoustic-Research-AR-215PS.html) Will this be an issue? As I understand it, this isn't particularly harmful, but the sound level will be lower, and raising the volume to compensate will result in diminished quality. Is that correct?