Basic amplification question??

[timoteo]

I am currently running 2-B&W 683s (sensitivity 89db) as my mains, powered by a Denon AVR-889 (rated at 100wpc). HT setup: 6.2

Besides my slight concern of clipping, i was wondering...just how much of my 683's potential do you think i am ACTUALLY getting with my Denon running them? A guestimated 1-10 answer would appreciated!

I read a lot saying that quality loudspeakers like my B&Ws really need clean power & a good amount of it to sound their best. My next purchase is going to be a much needed upgrade with my display. However i would like to start planning for my following upgrade which im thinking will be getting more power to my towers.

The problem is that my avr has no pre-outs!! Yeah i know....
I do have another avr. An H/K-340 (55wpc no HD decoding) with pre-outs.

Any recommendations as to what to do with these recievers?
Sell them?
What amps pair well with B&Ws?
Budget will be about $1200...open to any & all advice.

My goal is to be able to watch my blurays at clean but high volumes and enjoy detailed 2 channel music in my livingroom setup (315sqft).

Thanks!!!

 

[mtrycrafts]

I am currently running 2-B&W 683s (sensitivity 89db) as my mains, powered by a Denon AVR-889 (rated at 100wpc). HT setup: 6.2

Besides my slight concern of clipping, i was wondering...just how much of my 683's potential do you think i am ACTUALLY getting with my Denon running them? A guestimated 1-10 answer would appreciated!

I read a lot saying that quality loudspeakers like my B&Ws really need clean power & a good amount of it to sound their best. ...

My goal is to be able to watch my blurays at clean but high volumes and enjoy detailed 2 channel music in my livingroom setup (315sqft).

Thanks!!!

Just be careful what you read I read a lot of bs out there.
Your denon is clean to its rated power output. You may need to invest in a good sub if you don't have one now.
How loud is loud? Have you measured with an SPL meter? How do these speakers sound right now?

 

[MidnightSensi]

I'm of the minority on here that believes in using a lot of power, but this may be because I like to listen at very loud levels.

I did a little Google search on them to get the specs. It looks like their nominal impedence is 8Ω, but their minimum is 3Ω. I couldn't find phase angle, but generally a 3Ω load is difficult for even a Denon at higher outputs. The IEC for that speaker looks like 200-watts. A general rule of thumb that works well for amplifiers is to double the IEC, so your looking for a 400-watt per channel amplifier at 8-ohms with a stability down to 2-ohms.

 

[PENG]

I would give it a '6' but would guess a '10' in your room if you get one of the following relatively low cost yet reasonably powerful AVRs.

http://www.homecinemachoice.com/node/7088

This one has the following tech lab results:

175W, 2 channels driven,
8 ohm , 0.5% THD
267W (2 channels driven, 4 ohm,
0.5% THD
140W (5 channels driven, 8 ohm ,
0.5% THD
165W (5 channels driven, 4 ohm ,
0.5% THD
Fidelity firewall: 176W (0.51%
THD, 8 ohms, 1kHz)
THD @ 50W: 0.003% THD
(1kHz, 8 ohm
Frequency response: 20Hz-
20kHz +/- 0.1dB

or:

http://www.amazon.com/Onkyo-TX-SR876-Channel-Theater-Receiver/dp/B001AMSPDG/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1256171865&sr=8-1

The Onkyo is more powerful, has better video upconversion/upscaling capability, and is available for under $900.

They both have preouts for external power amps.

My 4308 that has similar power specs and I have tried running my tower speakers with and without the power amp many times. I have no doubt there isn't any audible improvements either way. Right at this moment I am listening to Patricia Barber nightclub (SACD) in pure direct mode at SPL of 85 to 92 dB without the external amp. It sounds great with no audible signs of clipping. I normally leave the amp hooked up but I want to listen to it again at relatively high volume before responding to your post.