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Bronze Member Username: Rh1Post Number: 60 Registered: Jun-04 | I just wanted to get everyones thoughts on which is better and why? The great advice I have received on this forum has taught me a lot about a subject I know very little about. I have purchased a Kenwood Vr5700 with the following speakers: Wharfedale Diamond 8 center, 8.3 fronts, 8.1 surrounds. I must say that I am pleased with my purchase so far but curiosity has got the best of me in regards to the power of my system. I have yet to turn the music or movies up past -15db on the receiver that has a max of +13db. It sounds good, but not as loud as I had expected. The speakers are rated to 100 watts and 85db sensitivity, per my receivers manual it puts out 120 watts all channels driven. I would have thought that this would have been enough to shake the walls. Will buying a separate power amp improve this or should I just expect the same? If an amp would help, should I go with a 3 channel for the fronts and center or a 5 channel for everything? Suggestions for an amp around the $600 figure? |
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Silver Member Username: KeggerMICHIGAN Post Number: 599 Registered: Dec-03 | generally a reciever has trouble providing it's rated power when all channels are driven so yes an external amp can provide more than you are getting. and more than likely cleaner power than you now are getting so their is a good chance it would sound better. but your speakers are not very efficent at 85db so to really notice a difference in volume you would have to hope the kenwood puts out about 50 watts a channel when all chanels are driven and get an external amp with at least 150 a chnl. and the kenwood does probably put about 50 watts max a channel with all channels driven. so yes i would try an external amp and i would go with a quality 3 channel amp of at least 150 a chnl.your back speakers are probaly fine on the kenwood and it would leave you with being able to get a better amp for the sam money spent on a 5 channel amp. their are many companies that make nice 3 channel amps. from rotel/b & k/parasound/anthem or evan adcom those are just a few their are many more. and again these are just my oppinions and someone else may differ. but i believe this is sound advice from someone who has done it before. |
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Bronze Member Username: Rh1Post Number: 61 Registered: Jun-04 | That's what I thought, spend the money on a better amp for the front rather than worrying about the surround. Would taking the load off the receiver for the front three, buy purchasing a amp for those channels, increase the power to the back two speakers? Or is the power output going to be the same since the receiver is "all channels driven"? |
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Silver Member Username: KeggerMICHIGAN Post Number: 605 Registered: Dec-03 | no it very well may provide more power to the rear channels. your reciever may last longer also as it should run cooler. |
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Bronze Member Username: Rh1Post Number: 62 Registered: Jun-04 | That's good news, one other thing I read the other day was that leaving your equipment on will prolong it's life? This seems a bit strange to me as I have always thought the opposite. It did mention how it's like a light bulb in that they will almost always go out when switching it on/off because of surges in power or something to that effect. Is this true for receivers, amps, etc? I know when i turn off my receiver a "standby" light goes on, I assume this means that although the receiver is off it is kind of running on lower power for the reason of prolonging the life of the equipment. |
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Silver Member Username: KeggerMICHIGAN Post Number: 608 Registered: Dec-03 | you have to make the call on that one. their are belifs both ways. i say it depends on how often you use it. if you use it all the time than go ahead and leave it on. if you don't than shut it down when your done. |
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Bronze Member Username: Rh1Post Number: 63 Registered: Jun-04 | Would I need a integrated or power amp? |
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Silver Member Username: KeggerMICHIGAN Post Number: 609 Registered: Dec-03 | no just a straight 3 channel power amp. hear is a link to the one i got. rotel rb-993 http://www.cinenow.com/pdf/rotel_rb993-991thx_bro1_us.pdf |
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Bronze Member Username: Rh1Post Number: 64 Registered: Jun-04 | Nice amp but out of the budget range. I am trying to stick to $600 for now. Maybe a nice used one would be in order. Of the subject a bit, I have no idea what bright and warm sounds like so it's hard for me to reference. Would Rotel and Parasound amps be considered warm/bright and also would my speakers be considered either of those two? |
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Silver Member Username: KeggerMICHIGAN Post Number: 610 Registered: Dec-03 | i'm not sure what whaferdales sound like. parasound would be a little warm. and rotel would be pretty neutrel. you could check audiogon.com for good used stuff! i bought my 2 channel b&k preamp from their. again warm/neutrel/bright is very subjective. what one person thinks another would not. so you have to use your own judgement. and see how things sound to you. |
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Bronze Member Username: Rh1Post Number: 65 Registered: Jun-04 | I can see how this hobby can get awful expensive. Looks like I need to find a buddy who works in a home theater store (lol). Thanks for all your help! |
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Bronze Member Username: Rh1Post Number: 66 Registered: Jun-04 | Are Carver amps any good? |
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Silver Member Username: KeggerMICHIGAN Post Number: 611 Registered: Dec-03 | some of them are pretty nice. but also on some of his newer designs he uses a different type power supply that makes the amps really light and i know some people are very skeptical. youd have to check that one out for yourself. |
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Bronze Member Username: Rh1Post Number: 68 Registered: Jun-04 | I know that you mentioned that receivers typically don't put out the rated power. Do amps from say Parasound, Rotel, Adcom, etc commonly mislead their powers #s too? |
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Silver Member Username: KeggerMICHIGAN Post Number: 618 Registered: Dec-03 | generally no. if anything your better amp manufacturer's do the opposite and underrate their stuff so you have good head room. |