Why do AH's own or wanting to own separate amps whether they need them or not?

[lsiberian]

As a speaker designer external amping allows me to use active crossovers which offer numerous advantages over passive ones in both the design phase and afterward. I plan to move to pro level amps as funds permit. For now I'm using chip amps.

 

[TLS Guy]

I use separates because I have to. A receiver would be literally useless too me.

My mains take three amps a speaker, six for the two. The center requires two amps. The rear back two amps per speaker, four for the two of them. Only the surrounds require one amp per speaker. That is 14 amps in all in seven cases.

I would use separates anyway. I never discard power amps. I'm on my second pre/pro in eight years. For me that is extravagant replacement. This way I don't have to replace power amps.

I also really like my Quad current dumping amps, and get excellent durable long term service. Longevity is equipment is a big issue for me. I can't abide trouble prone equipment and for me that is the hallmark of receivers.

I just love the relaxed smooth sound of 3K of class A audio power from these amps. In addition they all run nice and cool. which is a big consideration for that many amps in one place. There is a controllable extractor fan above the amp case.

 

[PENG]

Can we see more pictures please, preferably only those your currently own or about to own?

 

[PENG]

As a speaker designer external amping allows me to use active crossovers which offer numerous advantages over passive ones in both the design phase and afterward. I plan to move to pro level amps as funds permit. For now I'm using chip amps.

That seems to be a rare reason but obviously a good one.

 

[TLS Guy]

That seems to be a rare reason but obviously a good one.

It should be a much commoner reason!

 

[PENG]

It should be a much commoner reason!

Should be, but it isn't yet, not until separate well made active crossovers and separate speakers without crossovers are commonly sold.

 

[TLS Guy]

No! Amps belong in speakers not receivers!

 

[JohnnieB]

Hi my name is Johnnie, i'm an audioholic.

 

[PENG]

No! Amps belong in speakers not receivers!

Well that's your preference. I do prefer amps to be separate from speakers but it would be nice if the crossovers, analog or digital, are seperate from the preamp and amp. I also wouldn't mind if I can get a 2 channel preamp that has built in digital crossovers covering not just bass management via a sub out, but also a tweeter/mid and bass driver out or a tweeter, mid/bass out.

 

[PENG]

Hi my name is Johnnie, i'm an audioholic.

Granted, no other reasons needed but how about some pictures of amps you own that you don't need? I posted 2 of mine. TLS did too but he said he needed them.

 

[markw]

Hi my name is Johnnie, i'm an audioholic.

All of us in unison: "Hello Johnnie!"

 

[fuzz092888]

Granted, no other reasons needed but how about some pictures of amps you own that you don't need? I posted 2 of mine. TLS did too but he said he needed them.

Well, before I switched to pre/pro I didn't really need any of them. As far as I could tell I had never strained my Onkyo 3009 into clipping and it never once shut down on me. Now that I have the Marantz I kinda have to have separate amplifiers, although I very much doubt I need quite so many and I'm better I could get away with a lot less spec'd power.



I definitely don't need this one hooked up to my computer speakers that I sit a foot away from.

 

[cpp]

Well, before I switched to pre/pro I didn't really need any of them. As far as I could tell I had never strained my Onkyo 3009 into clipping and it never once shut down on me. Now that I have the Marantz I kinda have to have separate amplifiers, although I very much doubt I need quite so many and I'm better I could get away with a lot less spec'd power.



I definitely don't need this one hooked up to my computer speakers that I sit a foot away from.

Fuzz what is that box below your OPPO ?

 

[fuzz092888]

Fuzz what is that box below your OPPO ?

That would be a miniDSP 4X10. I bought it for a different project, but while that project is on hold I'm using it as part of my bass management system.

 

[TLS Guy]

Well that's your preference. I do prefer amps to be separate from speakers but it would be nice if the crossovers, analog or digital, are seperate from the preamp and amp. I also wouldn't mind if I can get a 2 channel preamp that has built in digital crossovers covering not just bass management via a sub out, but also a tweeter/mid and bass driver out or a tweeter, mid/bass out.

The problem is that if crossovers are sold and speakers without crossovers are sold, it would take a highly tech competent audio community to get results anything other than awful. It would require computerized measurements and computer set up of the crossovers.

For the consumer the place for the amps and crossovers is the speaker. Class D amps are particularly upset by passive crossovers. Class D amps work well designed for connection to speakers without crossover between the connection. I think if you were a manufacturer this all could be done with economies of scale. The other big advantage is it would reduce ground loop problems greatly. I'm an advocate of optical connection between speakers and pre/pro. To me that is the only way that makes sense for the mass market.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

No! Amps belong in speakers not receivers!

No way, man.

Amps belong in amp cases.

Crossovers belong in crossover cases.

Speakers should have drivers minus the amps and crossovers.

Like the Linkwitz Orion speaker.

Keep everything separate.

 

[PENG]

The problem is that if crossovers are sold and speakers without crossovers are sold, it would take a highly tech competent audio community to get results anything other than awful. It would require computerized measurements and computer set up of the crossovers.

The speaker manufacturer should sell the matching crossovers separately so people can bi or tri amp them accordingly. If digital ones are used, then yes, they can package them with the necessary software too to set things up. I think putting amps in speakers are viable but it is good to have choices.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

I think putting amps in speakers are viable but it is good to have choices.

I have one word for that - boring.

Let's put plate amps in every speaker and sub. Where's the fun I that?

Might as well put amps in AVR too. Oh, wait, that already happened.

 

[TLS Guy]

No way, man.

Amps belong in amp cases.

Crossovers belong in crossover cases.

Speakers should have drivers minus the amps and crossovers.

Like the Linkwitz Orion speaker.

Keep everything separate.

That is fine for you and me. However there is huge market resistance to enjoying the benefits of home HT. I can tell you there are a lot of people who will the ends but not the means. It comes down to complexity and space. People actually like integrated solutions, which is why receivers are so popular. However people object to the size of those, and the space required for ventilation. The receiver and pre/pro could be dispensed with if you think about it.

Smart TV have most of what you need, but at this time all that smart function is in the wrong place, especially if you don't have ARC.

Now think about this. Make a Smart TV that can do everything including open up a web browser. Now make an HDMI audio out that can go to a small distribution box hidden away. Now send optical outs to active speakers. The heat sinks can be in the base or rear of the speakers. The AV set up can be built into the TV. So the only external devices would be a disc player and the TV DVR. You could even add a phono input to the TV. Just think how neat and unobtrusive an installation could be. The sonic benefits over what we have now would be really significant.

We are used to current set ups, and change is hard. However if you use imagination, just think how elegant and handy you could really make things.

In any event I think traditional radio and TV broadcasting will be gone in a generation and possibly less.

I installed Chromecast at Eagan a couple of weeks ago. This afternoon I put Apps in my wife's iPad. I'm just astonished at how handy it is, and what I could accomplish with it. The Chromecast is plugged into the back of the pre/pro here.

I can see mobile and fixed are, and will' quickly merge to another integrated solution. This whole arena is ripe for fundamental change. For a start I think mobile devices will be controlling our entire systems.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

That is fine for you and me. However there is huge market resistance to enjoying the benefits of home HT. I can tell you there are a lot of people who will the ends but not the means. It comes down to complexity and space. People actually like integrated solutions, which is why receivers are so popular. However people object to the size of those, and the space required for ventilation. The receiver and pre/pro could be dispensed with if you think about it.

Smart TV have most of what you need, but at this time all that smart function is in the wrong place, especially if you don't have ARC.

Now think about this. Make a Smart TV that can do everything including open up a web browser. Now make an HDMI audio out that can go to a small distribution box hidden away. Now send optical outs to active speakers. The heat sinks can be in the base or rear of the speakers. The AV set up can be built into the TV. So the only external devices would be a disc player and the TV DVR. You could even add a phono input to the TV. Just think how neat and unobtrusive an installation could be. The sonic benefits over what we have now would be really significant.

We are used to current set ups, and change is hard. However if you use imagination, just think how elegant and handy you could really make things.

In any event I think traditional radio and TV broadcasting will be gone in a generation and possibly less.

I installed Chromecast at Eagan a couple of weeks ago. This afternoon I put Apps in my wife's iPad. I'm just astonished at how handy it is, and what I could accomplish with it. The Chromecast is plugged into the back of the pre/pro here.

I can see mobile and fixed are, and will' quickly merge to another integrated solution. This whole arena is ripe for fundamental change. For a start I think mobile devices will be controlling our entire systems.

I'm typing on my iPad now. I stream lossless audio from my iPad directly to my Denon pre-pro. I watch HD video files from my HTPC - all 750 HD movies and another 500+ HDTV episodes via XBMC. I don't use BD players or other media disc players. I use my iPad as a remote for my Denon. I use my iPad as a keyboard/mouse/controller for my HTPC. I can control all the lights in my house with my iPad. I can change the home thermostat with my iPad. I can control my garage doors with my iPad. I can monitor all my webcams on my iPad. I am all for change and the digital age and integration if they improve my enjoyment and reduce my stress.

But I have no desire to stick plate amps inside my speakers and subs because I sure don't see any potential sonic benefits from that notion.