Solved! Could this amp damage my speakers?

[Krohnny]

I recently bought a Micca Origain amplifier to replace my old SMSL sa-50, thinking they would be comparable in performance. I hooked up my fluance sx6 speakers to the new amp and was disappointed by how much quieter it was. The chip in the sa-50 is rated at around 40 watts a channel into 8 ohms with 10% THD and I never brought the volume past around 2 o'clock on the knob.The origain is rated at 30 watts rms with a much lower %0.5 THD, but I need to crank the volume to near max before I get the same output as the sa-50 at half and I'm worried about damaging my speakers if I go any higher. From what I understand a lower THD is less likely to damage my speakers because it's cleaner power with less clipping, but is %0.5 low enough that I shouldn't be afraid to turn my amp all the way up?

 

[Dugimodo]

I wouldn't think so, should be fine. Does the amp have and impedance setting and does it match the speakers and is the 30W rating also at 8 ohm?
If it's rated at a low impedance you will get less power into 8 ohm speakers.

Also volume is a funny thing, the human ear is not linear. A perceived difference in volume for most people is around 3dB or double the power so normally the power difference between 30 & 40W should be almost imperceptible. Cleaner sound does seem quieter as well. This doesn't really explain such a large difference in volume levels though.

 

[Shoomer]

The simple answer is regardless of the amp you're using, you wont damage your speakers unless you push your speakers too far. And with a bit of care you will be able to hear before you do that.

 

[americanaudiophile]

The volume control potentiometer itself may be the reason it's different.
A linear volume control responds differently than a logrithmic pot. You get the same volume but not at the same rotation. One will be almost 90% of full power at 12 oclock the other at full rotation. The max is still the same.
Any amp that gives you a power rating at 10% is a rip off.

 

[jsmithepa]

10% THD is atrocious.