Low power amplifer recommedation for Altec 511B horn

[MerlinVSM]

I wouldn't be happy with only one watt either; like you, sometimes I listen loud. In my friend's situation he's on a budget, and a $109 amplifier that sounds pretty good at moderate levels is a keeper.

Note, recommedation for the power amplifier I am looking for will only be used with the Altec 511B horn(s) not for the woofer(s).

How much power is needed and how much, may be too much ?

[GM]

Hmm, the AE woofer is only around 90 dB eff., so even if no baffle step compensation [BSC] is required, shelving a 511/902 down this far means there's very little dynamic headroom left, so just to match typical cone/dome 'monkey coffin' SPL peaks will require at least 12 W and depending on what low distortion peaks the woofer is capable of may require up to the 902's rated power handling.

If BSC is required, then you might need 2-4x more power and hope the 902 can take the fast transients without bouncing off the phase plug.

Bottom line is that in either of these cases it's best to use a high XO point with at least a 2nd order slope to protect the driver.

GM

[MerlinVSM]

The Crossover frequency will be about 1000hz 96db/octave.

[GM]

Wow! You can use 500 Hz then if you wanted to.

GM

[fpitas]

I'd think 10W minimum, maybe 50W maximum, although you won't find many class A amps bigger than 50W unless you're willing to pay a lot. And from my experiments, I think class A is the way to go with a horn.

Note, recommedation for the power amplifier I am looking for will only be used with the Altec 511B horn(s) not for the woofer(s).

How much power is needed and how much, may be too much ?