Sonus Faber Elipsa

newmill

Well-Known Member
Jul 30, 2015
75
10
238
Hi Guys:
I wasn't sure where to post this question so I decided on here. Do you guys think that the Pass Labs XA30.8 stereo amp is up to driving my most cherished Sonus Faber Elipsa speakers?
Thanks in advance for any responses.
 

joeinid

Well-Known Member
Mar 14, 2011
1,543
12
400
NY
Elipsa specs are as follows:

FREQUENCY RESPONSE
35 Hz - 30.000 Hz, tuning ports included.

SENSITIVITY
91 dB SPL (2,83 V/1m).

NOMINAL IMPEDANCE
4 ohm.

POWER HANDLING
50W - 300W, without clipping.

I have Strads and my Pass XA60.5's are enough for me power-wise but they do need more juice to really come alive and get controlled. I do recommend going up to the XA60.8's, at least, unless you play your music low. Strads and, I am sure, Elipsa need more juice. Even the recommended watts are at least 50wpc, so go up a little to be on the safe side.
 

newmill

Well-Known Member
Jul 30, 2015
75
10
238
Joe:
I never paid attention to the minimum power requirements. This was great advice. Thanks.

Nick
 

joeinid

Well-Known Member
Mar 14, 2011
1,543
12
400
NY
Nick,

You are very welcome. I love my Strads and sure you love the Elipsa. I've only heard them briefly. You can never go wrong with a little more power. Please let us know what you decide.
 

Maz65

Well-Known Member
Sep 26, 2014
51
2
140
Italy
Hi Nick,
I see only today your post, sorry if I'm late and you just made your choice.. following some considerations in order to choose the correct amp for your speakers.
I am an Elipsa Red owner, and I tested some amps in the past.

Starting form the measures, copy & past quote from Stereophile:
"Though this is slightly lower than the specified 91dB, the shortfall is not important. While it will therefore require less of a voltage swing to play loud, the speaker is still a demanding load for the partnering amplifier, with an impedance magnitude that drops to 2.5 ohms throughout the upper bass (fig.1). There is also a punishing combination of 4 ohms magnitude and –50 ° electrical phase angle at 70Hz that will suck gobs of current from the amplifier."

So.. -50% phase angle could mean a load down to even 1ohm at 70hz. Joe is right in order to suggest more power, and I'll do the same.

You cannot be wrong for an amp that come close to doubling wattage for every halving of load impedance from 8ohm 4ohm 2ohm.

-Max
 

joeinid

Well-Known Member
Mar 14, 2011
1,543
12
400
NY
Well said Max.

Thank you for adding that information.
 

newmill

Well-Known Member
Jul 30, 2015
75
10
238
Hi guys. Quick update: I decided on the ARC Ref75 SE to drive the Elipsas. Very happy with this amplifier. It seems to drive the Sonus Fabers effortlessly. I also purchased the LS27 preamp. It is the best sound I've ever had in my listening room. I do though, have a hankering to upgrade the pre to a Ref5 SE preamp :) Thanks for your input.
 

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