Hello all!
I have always loved home audio but am just now taking the time to really learn and understand it. I was looking for some advice, and if possible the logic behind said advice so I can understand why what is suggested is the best course of action. With that said here is my current setup:
Receiver: Marantz Sr-5012
Amp: Pioneer Series 20 M-25*
Front Speaks: (4) Kenwood 888D's
Center Speaker: B&W CM Centre
Surround: (4) Boston Acoustic SoundWare Cubes
First, I will say I know it is a hodgepodge mix of components and speakers, but I have always had eclectic taste and I really enjoy how my system sounds. The main reason I am posting and the reason for the asterisk next to the M-25 is that I just received and hooked it up today. Previous to today I was using a Technics SE-A1000 in place of the M-25. I had a few questions that I was hoping someone may be able to assist me with:
-Currently I have two of the 888's running off the Marantz which is rated at 100W per channel. The Marantz also runs the surround and center. The other two 888's are run off the amp which is fed from the front speaker pre-out. What I am wondering is if this is the optimal setup for what I have, or if I should wire the system in another fashion? Is the M-25 (rated at 120W per channel) superior enough to the Marantz that I should run all four 888's wired parallel from the M-25 and sacrifice the 40W I would lose from my current configuration of two front speakers from the Marantz and two from the M-25?
-I know the M-25 is class AB so it is always has juice running through it so to speak. When nothing is playing through the stereo I hear a sort of static coming from only the two 888's connected to the M-25. Sometimes I can hear it picking TV or radio signals as well when nothing is being played. Is this because it is AB and always on so to speak? Also, I have the M-25 plugged into a surge protector with other components etc, is that an issue, should it be directly pulling from the wall, or its own surge?
-Lastly, a guy I know already offered me more than I paid to buy the M-25 from me. What are your opinions as far as the M-25 compared to the Technics SE-A1000 as far as quality of sound? I think I can hear a noticeable increase in quality, but of course that's what I want to hear, and as I can't readily switch back and forth between the two amps, it is difficult to really compare the sound quality of the different amps.
I have include a picture of my current setup below.
Thank you to anyone who takes the time to respond. Your knowledge and assistance are most appreciated. Please feel free to comment on any part of my setup as I am here to learn and am aware of how little I know. Thank you again!
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