2 channel music. Better use a sub along floorstanding?

[Glank27]

Hi i have the following equipment for HT:

Marantz SR7500 AV receiver
Marantz DV9500 DVD Player

B&W DM603S3 fronts, B&W DM 602S3 Surrounds, B&W DM601S3 Surround backs, B&W LCR600 centre and B&W AS650) subwoofer.

I'm very happy with the above but since i love mainly music 2 channel audio i felt that i needed a proper 2 channel stereo amplifier. And the option fell for the excellent reviewed marantz PM-15S2 Limited edition. This in hand i hooked up the B&W 603s and had a grim discovery that sound lacked a bit punch, bass... deep bass. The amp is top notch, the speaker were very well reviewed and so expected something more.

Meanwhile, though, when switching the PM-15S2 as a power amplifier and thus having the SR7500 acting as a pre-amp and also suppling 80HZ and lower frequencies to the sub, its a hell of a wonderful soundign experience. What i'd like to ask is if this is normal? i mean, thus floorstanders lack some bass especially when getting used to sub woofers? Do you suggest to keep this set-up (PM-15S2 as power amp and sub woofer for low frequencies?) Is it proper hi-fidelity with just one sub?

Also, why are the L&R channels on the AV receiver a bit lower in volume after they are supplied from the PM-15S2s pre-outs?

[Ricardojoa]

are you comparing AV with sub to your dedicated anp withno sub?

[AcuDefTechGuy]

Just use the AVR for both music and movies. I think a "dedicated" stereo amp is a total waste of money.

Irvrobinson & I both use subwoofers with our Salon2 for music, which is capable of a lot more bass than most towers out there.

So, yeah, I would definitely use subwoofers with all B&W towers.

[hidefguy]

Just use the AVR for both music and movies. I think a "dedicated" stereo amp is a total waste of money.

I'm thinking the same thing. I've considered running an outboard Bryston BDA-1 thorugh my Anthem D2, but the opinions I get are kind of mixed about whether i'll hear a difference. If I get a BDA-1 for a steal price I may try it, but paying $1400 would make me want to kill myself

[j_garcia]

He is not using a separate amp, he is using a integrated amp, so a completely separate unit for music. It may have HT bypass, allowing it to be used separately though still in the chain. I used my PM7200 for my music only system (in a different room) with no sub and I was quite pleased with it, but I find that even for critical listening, I still tended to go to the main rig because the room is larger and the impact is there. So the PM is now the heart of a second system I don't find anything "missing" at all when I listen to music without the sub, but the sub does add another layer of enjoyment.

If you have solid amplification in the main rig, there's no benefit to swapping to another integrated amp IMO.

[AcuDefTechGuy]

I'm thinking the same thing. I've considered running an outboard Bryston BDA-1 thorugh my Anthem D2, but the opinions I get are kind of mixed about whether i'll hear a difference. If I get a BDA-1 for a steal price I may try it, but paying $1400 would make me want to kill myself

You won't notice the difference either with the external DAC. Your Anthem already has a superb DAC. It would a total waste of money IMO.

$1400? Geez. What a rip off. For $1600, folks can buy a pair of Philharmonic 1 speakers that will improve so much more than any DAC or amp, even if the DAC or amp were $10,000!

[Irvrobinson]

I don't find anything "missing" at all when I listen to music without the sub, but the sub does add another layer of enjoyment.

I can't imagine not having a sub in my music system. All those years of fighting with lack of smoothness in bass response, in my case cured by one sub. Some folks need two or more subs, but I got lucky. Being able to place subs for best bass response and placing the mains for best imagining is a huge win.

[LAB3]

I use a sub with my Klipsch Cornwall fronts (15" woofers) for stereo music.