Will my preamp change the Frequency response of my amp?

Aaron Bilger

Aaron Bilger

Audioholic
So I have a amp i'm planning on getting and so i'm going to use my audio receiver as my preamp and so I have this other amp I want to get that has a Frequency response of 45Hz - 15kHz, will my audio receiver make this to 20hz to 20khz after it's hooked up since the audio receiver's Frequency response is 20hz to 20khz? Doesn't the amp when it's being used as a power source then and the preamp is for the sound from it does the amp its self not matter how good or bad it sounds? Or does that also matter when hooked up to a preamp?
 
mtrycrafts

mtrycrafts

Seriously, I have no life.
So I have a amp i'm planning on getting and so i'm going to use my audio receiver as my preamp and so I have this other amp I want to get that has a Frequency response of 45Hz - 15kHz, will my audio receiver make this to 20hz to 20khz after it's hooked up since the audio receiver's Frequency response is 20hz to 20khz? Doesn't the amp when it's being used as a power source then and the preamp is for the sound from it does the amp its self not matter how good or bad it sounds? Or does that also matter when hooked up to a preamp?
If I understand your question, the amp's frequency response is the final output to the speakers.
So, if the amp is so limited, 45Hz to 15kHz, that is what is sent to the speakers no matter what came before it in the pre amp or the CD/DVD, etc.

Why would anyone even consider such an louzy amp today?
 
Aaron Bilger

Aaron Bilger

Audioholic
If I understand your question, the amp's frequency response is the final output to the speakers.
So, if the amp is so limited, 45Hz to 15kHz, that is what is sent to the speakers no matter what came before it in the pre amp or the CD/DVD, etc.

Why would anyone even consider such an louzy amp today?
Well the amp is GTD Audio Q3000, and some websites say 45hz to 15khz and others say 20hz to 20khz I was not sure but the preamp to hooked to my computer and the preamp is the first thing that gets the signal and then the amp is hooked up to the preamp the amp is last so wouldn't I get the sound from the preamp first?
 
M

markw

Audioholic Overlord
A chain is only as strong as it's weakest link.

FWIW, I looked up that amp on amazon.

Did you ever think there may be a reason this amp is so cheap when other amps in it's power range cost more?

They grossly over state the power ratings. That's why that funky frequency response numbers and I don't see at what distortion levels they use for their numbers. Both are important in gauging an amps quality. That's two big red flags right there.

You get what you pay for.
 
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Aaron Bilger

Aaron Bilger

Audioholic
Then if it's not this amp is not good then what is good for my small budget my max $ is $150.
 
M

markw

Audioholic Overlord
First off, what receiver do you have? Make and model number please.
 
M

markw

Audioholic Overlord
That's a pretty powerful receiver. That amount of power can produce ear bleeding levels from virtually any speaker. Why do you think you need more power?

Besides, to get a barely noticeable 3 decibel difference in loudness you'll need double the current poser. For an apparent doubling of loudness, you'll need TEN times the power.

What speakers do you have?
 
mtrycrafts

mtrycrafts

Seriously, I have no life.
Well the amp is GTD Audio Q3000, and some websites say 45hz to 15khz and others say 20hz to 20khz I was not sure but the preamp to hooked to my computer and the preamp is the first thing that gets the signal and then the amp is hooked up to the preamp the amp is last so wouldn't I get the sound from the preamp first?
But, with those numbers for the amp, that becomes a choke point in the chain as it would have worse performance than the preamp. Think about it.

And now you say you have a very nice receiver. What is or was the purpose for that poor amp consideration?

At least you are asking before the fact instead of afterwards. ;)
 
Aaron Bilger

Aaron Bilger

Audioholic
Why am I doing this because my receiver has a power issue and me going to get it fixed would cost me $300 from a repair shop it's got power issues only that go to the speakers and I can't afford it right now and it would be a long time from now before I could anyway. That's why I want to just use it as a preamp and has the other thing as a amp I will put that Yamaha rx v995 up for repair later down the road, and pull out my Yamaha rx v800 but it's not even close to enough power for me 100 watts @ 8 ohms is a joke its more like 10 watts I can have my rx v995 up 35% and that's maxed out on the rx v800 but I had the issues when I fist turn on my rx v995 and have to have it up really loud to get any sound from it and then the sound comes on and then I have to turn the poop down and then it continues to work until I turn it off and on again so this is the reason and it's not my speakers.
 
lovinthehd

lovinthehd

Audioholic Jedi
$150 for a power amp is kinda thin but the user reports on Amazon are positive at least, might be worth a shot. Might not be hi-fi frequency response but may suit your purposes. If you get this amp be sure to get rca to TS 1/4" or an rca to XLR adapter cables, assuming your old unit only has rca pre-out jacks.

A good pro style amp that would have been in your budget not long ago was the Crown XLS drivecore 1000 (and not much more for the 1500) when they were closing out gen 1 in favor of gen 2 (1002, 1502 etc). Now the price has risen again. These Crowns utilize rca inputs as well as 1/4" and xlr inputs....
 
Aaron Bilger

Aaron Bilger

Audioholic
But will any of my preamps change the sound to 20hz to 20khz when hooked up?
 
Aaron Bilger

Aaron Bilger

Audioholic
$150 for a power amp is kinda thin but the user reports on Amazon are positive at least, might be worth a shot. Might not be hi-fi frequency response but may suit your purposes. If you get this amp be sure to get rca to TS 1/4" or an rca to XLR adapter cables, assuming your old unit only has rca pre-out jacks.

A good pro style amp that would have been in your budget not long ago was the Crown XLS drivecore 1000 (and not much more for the 1500) when they were closing out gen 1 in favor of gen 2 (1002, 1502 etc). Now the price has risen again. These Crowns utilize rca inputs as well as 1/4" and xlr inputs....
So if I get this crown amp i'll be good right? http://www.crownaudio.com/en-US/products/xli800
 
M

markw

Audioholic Overlord
But will any of my preamps change the sound to 20hz to 20khz when hooked up?
NO!!! Reread post four again, and again ... until it sinks in! Concentrate on the first line.

On another note, if you're earmarking $300 to get this 16 year-old receiver fixed, you might want to look here for a replacement. $300 will get you a pretty nice receiver.
 
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everettT

everettT

Audioholic Spartan
Why am I doing this because my receiver has a power issue and me going to get it fixed would cost me $300 from a repair shop it's got power issues only that go to the speakers and I can't afford it right now and it would be a long time from now before I could anyway. That's why I want to just use it as a preamp and has the other thing as a amp I will put that Yamaha rx v995 up for repair later down the road, and pull out my Yamaha rx v800 but it's not even close to enough power for me 100 watts @ 8 ohms is a joke its more like 10 watts I can have my rx v995 up 35% and that's maxed out on the rx v800 but I had the issues when I fist turn on my rx v995 and have to have it up really loud to get any sound from it and then the sound comes on and then I have to turn the poop down and then it continues to work until I turn it off and on again so this is the reason and it's not my speakers.
That's a pretty powerful receiver. That amount of power can produce ear bleeding levels from virtually any speaker. Why do you think you need more power?

Besides, to get a barely noticeable 3 decibel difference in loudness you'll need double the current poser. For an apparent doubling of loudness, you'll need TEN times the power.

What speakers do you have?

What speakers again? 10 watts can be pretty loud :p Detailing the full scenario will help with better advice. Seems like you want a massive amp (and thats OK), but if your speakers do not need a lot of power, you could be just spinning your wheels. Mark stated what power is need to make a difference in loudness. I think you might be surprised at how little power is being used at any given time. So again can you please post your entire setup?
 
lovinthehd

lovinthehd

Audioholic Jedi
So if I get this crown amp i'll be good right? http://www.crownaudio.com/en-US/products/xli800
Different line from Crown, but have heard good things about them, but they're class A/B, rather than class D like the Drivecore XLS amps. Not sure about fan noise, but also consumer gear friendly with the rca inputs (and adjustable sensitivity, which was something the first gen Drivecore XLS amps didn't have (but the 2nd gen does).

Ps the suggestion for a new avr is a thought, but knowing your specific speakers might help.
 
everettT

everettT

Audioholic Spartan
Different line from Crown, but have heard good things about them, but they're class A/B, rather than class D like the Drivecore XLS amps. Not sure about fan noise, but also consumer gear friendly with the rca inputs (and adjustable sensitivity, which was something the first gen Drivecore XLS amps didn't have (but the 2nd gen does).

Ps the suggestion for a new avr is a thought, but knowing your specific speakers might help.
Also note that that series isnt spec'd for four ohm bridged, just in case that would ever come into play.
 
Aaron Bilger

Aaron Bilger

Audioholic
Well I use 4 bic america dv62si, each speaker is rated 150 watts RMS @ 8 ohms, and my Samson dj speakers rated 250watts RMS @ 8 ohms but I only use them when I littin to the radio but too many issues with power on my receiver so right now just need the power for my 4 bic america dv62si, but I don't have the space for all my other speakers I have sitting around not getting used and my Yamaha rx v995 is always getting used and my Klipsch sw 112 subwoofer which is very powerful 300 watts rms 12" speaker and a course I use this setup for my computer.
 
M

markw

Audioholic Overlord
Those watts on speakers are maximums. Speakers. particularly yours, don't need but a small percentage of that to deafen you. Most listening uses less than two - three watts at any given time. Occasional peaks may require a bit more power, but not as much as most people think.

Just because a car top out at 130 mph doesn't mean you have to drive it at that speed to get the best performance.
 
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everettT

everettT

Audioholic Spartan
Well I use 4 bic america dv62si, each speaker is rated 150 watts RMS @ 8 ohms, and my Samson dj speakers rated 250watts RMS @ 8 ohms but I only use them when I littin to the radio but too many issues with power on my receiver so right now just need the power for my 4 bic america dv62si, but I don't have the space for all my other speakers I have sitting around not getting used and my Yamaha rx v995 is always getting used and my Klipsch sw 112 subwoofer which is very powerful 300 watts rms 12" speaker and a course I use this setup for my computer.
Ill let others chime in that started with it, but I will say your hung up on wattage. The manufacture rates the sensitivity of the BICs at 90dbs. Even if they are over rated and more like 87dbs; At 10' you should be getting 95+ dbs with 40w with two speakers.
 
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