Receiver Relief - What actually happens when ...?

[timetohunt]

I will be adding an amp to my system to better accomodate my front speakers. There was a comment made on a previous thread basically stating that 'if you add the amp to power your fronts, it will relieve the receiver of some amp duties thereby making the receiver more capable in amping other channels'.

I was wondering what really happens then. Does it make more power available to CTR and back channels ? Or does it reduce heat thereby adding stability to its amping capabilities. Or was the above statement not really true at all, and no additional power (or anything positive) is reclaimed by the receiver. Just wondered if someone knows what really happens here.

 

[markw]

You've essentially got one power supply that powers al lthe channels.

If you've got five channels to power, that power is shared by those five channels. Under normal circumstances the power will supply all channels adequately. But, a strong demand from several of those five channels simultaneously can suck the power out of that power supply.

If you remove the demand from the two front main channels, and they are used a lot, then you free up that reserve power for the remaining ones. So, essentially, that reserve power is there for the other channels to benefit from. You'll have more headroom.

 

[avliner]

Very well explained Mark,

I'm feeling that by own experience, though and it does make a difference when you add an outboard amp.

Cheers.