I use a power sequencer for my power amps. Triggers are staggered.
Interesting. Never heard of those before. Did it replace your power strip, or do you plug it into a strip?
Yours looks like a vintage piece. Cinepro's website only lists a "power product" for 30A circuits. Do you happen to know of a good new power sequencer? I live in a part of the country with lots of lightning, and when I was in 6th grade I was home along watching TV when lightning struck, killed the TV and VCR, and melted a Panamax surge protector to the carpet. So I'd want something that carried some surge-protection warranty as well. Or at least wouldn't void the warranty on the strip I'm using.
BTW just checked your signature, what's that Anthem doing in you system?
It was my AVR, but now it's just doing pre-pro duties: source switching, room correction, volume control, etc. The Sherwood A965 is actually just a ginormous hulk of 7-channel amp. You perhaps thought it was their AVR with Trinnov room correction? That's A-972 or something like that. Perhaps a picture of my "rack" (aka the space under the daybed against the wall in my living room - I prefer my audio gear out of sight) will clear things up:
Why the separate mains amp, given my stated position on the them? When I move, I plan to take my mains active, with the miniDSP 8x8 doing crossover duties. So I'd been looking on and off for a 6+ channel amp. I happened on a killer deal for a new, still-wrapped-up one locally, with a receipt from an authorized dealer included. So even though I'd prefer a more compact, cool-running, and energy efficient Class D unit, and honestly wouldn't need more than 30-50W/channel, instead I ended up with a powerful 80lb, 18" x 18" x 8" dual transformer Class AB space heater... (It does, for the record, carry a UL safety certification label on the back!) And based on Dr. Rich's review of the circuit design (see link, supra), I suspect it'll be my mains amp for a while. At any rate, should I sell it later for a more efficient and compact amp, I'll be able to pass a great deal onto someone new.
I bought it in anticipation of running my front three mains with active crossovers (need six channels for that) when I move in few months. But after testing it to make sure every channel worked and was quiet...I decided it would be less effort to put it in my "rack" it than to pack it up.
Note that speaker wire positive leads are keyed with heat shrink conforming to the CEA-865B color code - one of those little things that makes putting things together go so much more quickly! For some reason, the binding posts on this amp are a little small. I'll probably scrounge up some of my spade lugs and do spade connections when I move. But for now, whatever. The bananas ("Nakamichi" Z-shaped ones with insulated plastic barrels) seem stay in just fine.
It looks a bit like a left tackle next to two scat-backs and a fullback, doesn't it? And yes, I plan on making interconnects that fit without too much slack, and using a shorter trigger lead. I just used stuff I had on hand for now, but I'm OCD enough to want no more than ~6" slack. Obviously, that won't have any sonic impact, but it'll look better.
Of those five (well, 4.2 maybe, considering the relative size/mass of the miniDSP) ugly boxes, here's all that's visible in the room. I'd get an IR blister and hide the AVR too, if my ca. 2009 TV had HDMI-ARC. But it doesn't, so no on-screen display over OTA HDTV. I'd rather be able to crane my neck to the side and squint to see the volume level than not see it at all.
True, the fact that I had to lift its (even more gigantic, with a solid 4+" of space around every side) box up about 5' in my storage closet, or, in the alternative, rearrange everything, had
a little to do with my decision to just use the damn thing.
