How can put my new P363 to use?

[leowiz]

All,

I just ordered a pair of Infinity P363 since they were on sale and I have been thinking of building a system for a long time. They will be here in a week.

My dilemma now is, I do not have a av receiver and neither do I have cables and stuff; and I want to know how I can make use of the speakers while I search around for a receiver.

My current setup is basically using this antique sony stereo system. Can I connect the new speakers to this system or will it blow something?

Spec: 8ohms at 1kHz, 100W per channel.

Here is the manual for the sony stereo:
http://www.manualshark.org/manualshark/files/4/pdf_8162.pdf

Also, any recommendation for a decent receiver that I can buy. The plan is to e able to upgrade to a 5.1/7.1 system in the near future.


Thanks all

 

[GranteedEV]

Give it a shot, but don't push it at all and only for short periods of time... and it probably won't sound as good as it's supposed to.

The reason being that the P363s (or at least the older 360s) do have some impedance dips and awkward phase angles that might tax the sony.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

antique sony stereo system...8ohms at 1kHz, 100W per channel...

Which translates to 10 watts per channel.

On my Denon AVR 391, I have to crank the volume to -10dB to get 85dBA in my family room, which is like 18' x 20' x 10' ceiling.

GranteedEV lives a little bit on the wild side.

It's probably okay if you don't push it, but I wouldn't even mess with hooking your Infinity P363 just to be safe.

Who knows what else could happen, especially if you are not lucky?

 

[KEW]

Congrats on what will be an incredible step up once you get your receiver!

I say try it.
Start with the volume low and ease it up.
Keep your ears open. If you get distortion, back off.
Also check the temperature of your amp section (if you can under the plastic).
You may find that you really can't get enough out of it to make it worthwhile, but it won't hurt to give it a shot.
If you have problems with distortion, try backing off of the bass using the EQ. Many low end amps will only specify power output down to 40Hz or 60Hz, so I presume your amp is also weak down there. I would disable any "turbo bass" or such.

I always wonder with a system like your Sony if there is EQ built in to the unit (aside from the controls provided) to optimize it with the speakers that it is dedicated to work with. You may find some weird emphasis on certain frequency bands.

 

[leowiz]

Thanks guys. I will be careful. I don't care about hte stereo but I sure don't want to destroy my new speakers.

Lets see how soon I can find a good receiver.

 

[j_garcia]

If anything would get damaged it would be the speakers before it would be the receiver, which is why the caution. It should work, just proceed with caution and don't expect miracles.

 

[KEW]

If anything would get damaged it would be the speakers before it would be the receiver, which is why the caution. It should work, just proceed with caution and don't expect miracles.

To be clear, it is not just the number of watts being fed to your speakers (which wouldn't be expected to be much of an issue), but also the quality of the signal. If you start clipping the amp section, the content of the signal will be rough on the speaker. As long as you are paying attention, you will hear some distortion (soft clipping) before you reach the point of a damaging signal (hard clipping).

 

[zumbo]

I would not connect them to your current unit.

Don't really want to start a debate, just giving an opinion.

I am 100% positive they should not be connected.

 

[GranteedEV]

You guys are kind of underestimating sony receivers. This isn't wal-mart brand garbage either, and we're not trying to drive an Apogee Scintilla here where we're running the thing into oscillation.

Used moderately I think he'll be fine temporarily. It puts out 100 watts @ 10% THD from 70hz - 20khz so we can effectively treat it as a 15-20 watt receiver, and probably around 15 watts into 4 ohms. We overestimate how many watts we use at low listening levels. Look at all the silly people driving speakers off 8 watt SET amps.

 

[zumbo]

Look at all the silly people driving speakers off 8 watt SET amps.

From what I read, tubes clipping is a whole other type of situation, and don't seem to be a big issue in the form of damaging speakers.

It seems that the low power tube amps actually clipping is the sound these people are impressed with.

 

[GranteedEV]

From what I read, tubes clipping is a whole other type of situation, and don't seem to be a big issue in the form of damaging speakers.

That is correct. My point wasn't that clipping a solid state amp is "okay", but rather that if you aren't too far away, in too large a room, and listening too loud, even 20 watts is really "enough". 100 watts is a lot of power for everyday usage. Now there's content material that can ask for 100 watts, and some of us like to listen loud. But my point was just that you won't necessarily clip the sony, even though it's got a poor amp section. That's why these companies get away with such poor amps... because most people may not take advantage of the headroom of superior amps anyways. The P363 is 93db/2.83v/m sensitive... if you're careful enough you can drive it to around 70-75db listening levels at a good 5-7 feet away with some headroom to spare, although sound quality might be compromised by the lack of current delivery.

I still recommend upgrading the receiver ASAP, just that running the infinities off the sony won't blow anything up.

It seems that the low power tube amps actually clipping is the sound these people are impressed with.

To an extent, although many factors contribute.

 

[zumbo]

I just know for me, I would send that little unit into clipping with any speaker.

And, I know a pretty good bit about clipping.

So I assume the OP would get a little excited with the improved sound of the new speakers, and assuming he don't know what I know about clipping, he would over-do-it.

And to the OP, I mean no offense. As stated, I would do the same thing.

All of this is why I stated not to connect the two.

 

[GranteedEV]

I just know for me, I would send that little unit into clipping with any speaker.

So I assume the OP would get a little excited with the improved sound of the new speakers, and assuming he don't know what I know about clipping, he would over-do-it.

They're infinities, you think they sound bad

 

[zumbo]

They're infinities, you think they sound bad

Which is all the more reason I would send that little unit into clipping trying to get something out of them.

But once clipping occurred, that hideous tweeter would even be more painful.

Apologies to the OP. Infinity just isn't my preference.

 

[PENG]

I just know for me, I would send that little unit into clipping with any speaker.

And, I know a pretty good bit about clipping.

So I assume the OP would get a little excited with the improved sound of the new speakers, and assuming he don't know what I know about clipping, he would over-do-it.

And to the OP, I mean no offense. As stated, I would do the same thing.

All of this is why I stated not to connect the two.

Yes I know you will, but that does not mean everyone else will let their amps clip. Even if the OP's little Sony would clip, as long as its does not sound too distorted the infinities will be fine. Minor inaudible clipping intermittently don't always damage tweeters that easy. I don't want to debate either, just expressing my opinion, also based on knowledge and experience.

 

[KEW]

You guys are kind of underestimating sony receivers.

I'm not sure you can really call this a receiver!
The OP gave: "Spec: 8ohms at 1kHz, 100W per channel."

However, I ultimately agree with you that he can safely determine how well the Sony can power his Infinities as long as he can restrain himself from cranking it without listening for issues!

 

[leowiz]

Thanks for all the comments guys. I am aggressively looking to buy a reciever soon (thinking of Piioneer vsx-1020-k). My only issue is, I don't plan to add other speakers anytime soon (in a year I plan to add a sub and 5 other speakers to have a 7.1 system). But for now, all I want is to listen to music. From what I see, av receivers are like cell phones, the moment you buy one, an upgrade is already there in the market.

Should I buy a "cheaper" receiver that can handle mostly music (and maybe also integrate my TV, DVD, PC, PS together) and wait till I get all my speakers before I buy the ultimate receiver (I really want to be able to use pandora through my receiver). What would be a good choice if I decided to go el cheapo?

And, with the risk of sounding stupid, what is this "clipping" everyone is talking about here?

Also, can I use the old sony speakers as my rear speakers with the pioneer receiver?

Thanks all.

 

[leowiz]

Googled clipping so I now know what that means.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

Should I buy a "cheaper" receiver that can handle mostly music (and maybe also integrate my TV, DVD, PC, PS together) and wait till I get all my speakers before I buy the ultimate receiver (I really want to be able to use pandora through my receiver). What would be a good choice if I decided to go el cheapo?

The P362s in my family room (18' x 20' x 10') are being powered by a cheap Denon 391 receiver just fine. I get a 85dBA volume level on my SPL meter from ~ 3 meters away when the Denon 391's volume is set to -10dB.