Mixing Amps -

Methost · Sep 29, 2005

What is the feeling on mixing amps in a system?

As I am still dumping money in to my speakers, I didn't want to spend a lot on amps for my front sound-stage at this point, but I DO want to test the use of amps for my front 3 speakers.

I have seen some good deals on 2-channel amps and mono-blocks, but multichannel amps are mostly in another price range all together.

If I buy a nice 2-channel amp, then add a mono-block for the center speaker, will I be commiting an HT crime?

I was considering this and then adding maybe an Audiosource mono-block to it.

Thoughts?

j_garcia · Sep 29, 2005

To be honest, I would not expect you would notice much difference compared to the typical receiver with the 282. The only benefit is offloading a couple of channels from your receiver's workload, so don't expect any major difference in sound.

Ubid has Audiosource Amp100s right now, and I think the current bid was like $60.

There's also a guy selling a bunch of 282s in the classified area here.

mtrycrafts · Sep 29, 2005

Methost said:
What is the feeling on mixing amps in a system?

As I am still dumping money in to my speakers, I didn't want to spend a lot on amps for my front sound-stage at this point, but I DO want to test the use of amps for my front 3 speakers.

I have seen some good deals on 2-channel amps and mono-blocks, but multichannel amps are mostly in another price range all together.

If I buy a nice 2-channel amp, then add a mono-block for the center speaker, will I be commiting an HT crime?

I was considering this and then adding maybe an Audiosource mono-block to it.

Thoughts?

Should not be an issue as you can trim each channel to match levels.

Methost · Sep 29, 2005

j_garcia said:
To be honest, I would not expect you would notice much difference compared to the typical receiver with the 282. The only benefit is offloading a couple of channels from your receiver's workload, so don't expect any major difference in sound.

Ubid has Audiosource Amp100s right now, and I think the current bid was like $60.

There's also a guy selling a bunch of 282s in the classified area here.

So what would I have to do to get a better sound? Better amp? More Watts?

markw · Sep 29, 2005

define "better"

more watts will allow you to play a little (very little) louder without clipping but, depending on your definition of "better", may not do the trick.

...you might be looking at speakers or room acoustics.

j_garcia · Sep 29, 2005

You're going to benefit from an amp only if your current system is running out of steam. If you turn it up and you can hear that it either doesn't get any louder when at the top end or if you actually hear it start to distort (receiver is running out of power), then you may need to look at external amps. If your current receiver seems to be doing the job and isn't getting overly hot, then adding amps probably isn't necessary.

What receiver and speakers again, and how big is the room?

Methost · Sep 29, 2005

j_garcia said:
What receiver and speakers again, and how big is the room?

Marantz SR8400
Axiom M22Ti fronts
VP 150 Center
Qs8 surrounds and rear surrounds.
Cadence X-sub

Room is about 200 sq ft and maybe 2500 Cubic feet (Awful room)

I dont have the center or the rear surrounds yet, and as a matter of fact, the room is not finished either.

The only reason I ask about amps now is that if I see I deal on something I may pick it up. But seeing as how I am getting more confused then I was before, I may wait till I have my whole system in place and see how it sounds. I was under the impression that just by pushing more power to speakers, they would sound "_better_" without being louder.

mulester7 said:
now, onward with your quest, Sir, I've probably confused you enough.....

Yes ... very confused.

Ok I am following you a little. I think you said you wanted me to put 500 watts on my front speakers.

j_garcia · Sep 29, 2005

I think you will be fine with the 8400 and those speakers. The M22s don't need a ton of power to drive them, and though I haven't heard a VP150, I'm sure it will be fine too. I say save the cash for the time being and see how it sounds first, then IF you feel the need for amps, go for it.

Sounds like a nice setup.

The 8400 probably has as much or more power than those 282s do, so I'd definitely say they are not going to give you an improvement. The 8300 was rated as 120x2 and 92wpc with all channels driven.

Nomo · Sep 29, 2005

I have the M282 running my fronts. It is a nice amp. Very underated IMHO. I feel it does add a slight improvement to to sound of my Yamaha, but just slight. If you are looking for a major improvement in sound this amp will not do it for you. If you are looking to take a small amount of stress off your reciever, then you need to ask if that is worth 200 bucks.
As far as your original question goes; Other than cosmetics, I don't think there is an issue with mixing amps provided, as mtrycrafts said, you have the ability to match levels.

PENG · Sep 29, 2005

Methost said:
Marantz SR8400
Axiom M22Ti fronts
VP 150 Center
Qs8 surrounds and rear surrounds.
Cadence X-sub

Room is about 200 sq ft and maybe 2500 Cubic feet (Awful room)

I dont have the center or the rear surrounds yet, and as a matter of fact, the room is not finished either.

The SR-8400 receiver is well known for sound quality, equal to or better than, say, a Denon 3805. I cannot hear those "amazing, huge, unbelievable" improvements when I hooked up my 3805 to external amps such as Adcom and Bryston. To me, the difference was subtle. Yet I can hear big difference between my 3 sets of front main speakers, 1 pair of front satellites. I can also hear the obvious difference in sound between my two subwoofers. I upgraded my front mains not long ago but my next upgrade will still be the front mains, not the electronics. Others, such as mulester, seem to have better luck with electronics. You should find out for yourself whether you can hear more improvements by changing speakers, receiver/amp, room treatment or combinations of the same.

Nick250 · Sep 29, 2005

Methost said:
So what would I have to do to get a better sound? Better amp? More Watts?

IMO 90% of the sound you hear in your listening room is speaker choice and room acoustics. As long as you are getting the volume you want without clipping the reciever/amp plays a very small role (if any). So, if I were in your shoes I would play around with speaker placement and read the info on this forum about room treatments. If none of this helps, what the hell, bring home an amp and give it a try. It's just that it is way down on the list of things that might improve the sound in my opinion.

mtrycrafts · Sep 29, 2005

mulester7 said:
....no matter what is said, including from me, don't discount about 40 posters that have used the words, "amazing", "staggering", and "unbelievable", concerning the use of slave amps that brought AT LEAST 200 a throw, but I'd for sure, rather have at least 500.....and I say WONDERFUL, for that quality pre-pro receiver that can do what it does handling a portion of the speakers quite ably....now, onward with your quest, Sir, I've probably confused you enough.....

Then by your logic, one should believe in alien abductions as thousands swear they were abducted and experimented on. You should believe as fact that psychics have such powers they claim as tens of thousands swear by them. You should run to the nearest homeopathic store for your medicine, have people pray for you when you are ill. And we can go on and decide anything by majority consent and vote??? Even science.

MacManNM · Sep 30, 2005

mtrycrafts said:
Then by your logic, one should believe in alien abductions as thousands swear they were abducted and experimented on. You should believe as fact that psychics have such powers they claim as tens of thousands swear by them. You should run to the nearest homeopathic store for your medicine, have people pray for you when you are ill. And we can go on and decide anything by majority consent and vote??? Even science.

I don't know about you sometimes Mtry. Humanity needs faith. Einstein had faith, some of the greatest minds of all time believed in something in one way or another. Who are you to say people weren’t abducted, or have psychic powers? Have any of these things been proven untrue? Has God been proven to be a farce? Just because you can’t prove something exists doesn’t mean it's not there. Science is not perfect, not even close.

Methost · Sep 30, 2005

Ok then, thanks for the advice. Ill hold off on the amp(s) till I have my system up and running and see what I think of it then.

mtrycrafts · Sep 30, 2005

MacManNM said:

I don't know about you sometimes Mtry. Humanity needs faith. Einstein had faith,

Click to expand...

MacManNM said:
Good for him. So by your logic we should blindly follow him on everything, or just on what he has superior knowledge on, theoretical physics, that is testable and falsifiable???

some of the greatest minds of all time believed in something in one way or another.

So what. Do they have some sort of clue the rest don't have???

Who are you to say people weren’t abducted, or have psychic powers?

Both are provable and falsifiable. Prove it.

Have any of these things been proven untrue?

Ah, you need more science and what is provable and what is not. Try to prove a negative? I expected better from you. But I just change my mind.
Have any of those jokers demonstrated their ability??? Really???

Has God been proven to be a farce?

Same as above. Proving a negative. Try to prove that it exists.

Just because you can’t prove something exists doesn’t mean it's not there. Science is not perfect, not even close.

Well, when you can, anyone, come back and I can reconsider your evidence.

mtrycrafts · Sep 30, 2005

Methost said:
Ok then, thanks for the advice. Ill hold off on the amp(s) till I have my system up and running and see what I think of it then.

Great. There is no rush, not like amps will be sold out tonight

MacManNM · Oct 1, 2005

mtrycrafts said:
MacManNM said:

I don't know about you sometimes Mtry. Humanity needs faith. Einstein had faith,

Click to expand...

MacManNM said:

Good for him. So by your logic we should blindly follow him on everything, or just on what he has superior knowledge on, theoretical physics, that is testable and falsifiable???

some of the greatest minds of all time believed in something in one way or another.

So what. Do they have some sort of clue the rest don't have???

Who are you to say people weren’t abducted, or have psychic powers?

Both are provable and falsifiable. Prove it.

Have any of these things been proven untrue?

Ah, you need more science and what is provable and what is not. Try to prove a negative? I expected better from you. But I just change my mind.
Have any of those jokers demonstrated their ability??? Really???

Has God been proven to be a farce?

Same as above. Proving a negative. Try to prove that it exists.

Just because you can’t prove something exists doesn’t mean it's not there. Science is not perfect, not even close.

Well, when you can, anyone, come back and I can reconsider your evidence.

Click to expand...

If God, aliens, or telepathy don't exist, then the onus is on you to disprove it. If you can't, I suggest you let others have their beliefs, and not chastise them for those beliefs.

markw · Oct 1, 2005

There you go following down the same path others have.

Using your logic, criminials would have to prove they didn't commit the crime of which they are accused.

Actually, it works the other way around.

IOW, show me the aliens.

But fortunarely, we live i na free country. You can believe in aliens if you choose. Hoqwever, should you claim their existance as a fact, be prepared to have one present when you say so.

MacManNM · Oct 1, 2005

markw said:
Using your logic, criminials would have to prove they didn't commit the crime of which they are accused.

Have you actually seen the court system in action? By those comments I'd say no. So people have to post bail because they are presumed innocent?

Just because you haven't seen an alien, that means they don't exist. Have you seen the north pole, a nautulus, or an electron?

mtrycrafts · Oct 1, 2005

MacManNM said:
Just because you haven't seen an alien, that means they don't exist. Have you seen the north pole, a nautulus, or an electron?

Lame. Please show some evidence for aliens we are talking about abducting people. There is plenty of evidence, credible, for your pee poor parallels you are trying to use. Worse than you other boo-boo.

Talking about absent evidence, you may want to contact Prof. Jonathan Adler, Prof of Philosophy at NYCU, and discuss that issue with him. He has a few things to say on it.

Mixing Amps -

Methost

Full Audioholic

j_garcia

Audioholic Jedi

mtrycrafts

Seriously, I have no life.

Methost

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markw

Audioholic Overlord

j_garcia

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Methost

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j_garcia

Audioholic Jedi

Nomo

Audioholic Samurai

PENG

Audioholic Slumlord

Nick250

Audioholic Samurai

mtrycrafts

Seriously, I have no life.

MacManNM

Banned

Methost

Full Audioholic

mtrycrafts

Seriously, I have no life.

mtrycrafts

Seriously, I have no life.

MacManNM

Banned

markw

Audioholic Overlord

MacManNM

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mtrycrafts

Seriously, I have no life.

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