External amp for my receiver

P

PENG

Audioholic Slumlord
Yes, I think if you drive those speakers with a receiver, you will be replacing them at regular intervals. So I would recommend a good three channel amp. Something like this would be suitable.
Agreed with your first paragraph but not the last one, because we don't know that without knowing the OP's required SPL at his MMP and the distance of his MMP. We both know spl drops by 6 dB every doubling of distance, ignoring bass room gain, and to perceived twice as loud typically required 4 to 10 times the "power" so the unknown factors are important to be known.
 
P

PENG

Audioholic Slumlord
I want to replace my failed flagship Denon receiver. I was considering a Denon 3800 and getting an external amp to run my 3 front dynaudio audence 72s. The 2 mains are 4 ohm and the center is 6 ohms. I know nothing about external amps and how much power I need. The dynaudios are rated at just over 200w max but I do not listen at reference levels. What exactly should I consider to drive my speakers?
To answer your question, we need to know:

- your seating distance
- the maximum spl (sound pressure level) you want to be able to achieve at your seat distance during peaks of contents (movies, music streaming, disc player etc.).

Understood you do not listen at reference level, but reference level is 105 dB peak so if you listen to maximum of 102 dB, that's below reference but your "power requirement" will drop only by 1/2, but if you listen to max of 95 dB peak then your requirement would drop by 1/10, big difference in terms of "power" vs how much below reference level you want to be able to achieve.

That means even the 3800 on its own might be more than enough to drive your 4 ohm speakers, or even a 200 W amp may not be able to get the best out of those speakers, for the peaks.
 
O

Ooberpad

Audiophyte
Since your mains are 4 ohms and your center is 6 ohms, using an external amp is a smart move—especially with speakers that like power. You don’t need 200W per channel unless you listen super loud, but something around 100–150W per channel into 4 ohms will give you clean, dynamic sound without strain.

Just make sure the amp you choose is 4-ohm stable and has enough current to drive your speakers comfortably. A 3-channel amp would be ideal for your front stage, and your new receiver can handle the rest. It’s more about clean power and stability than chasing big watt numbers.
 
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