Running Paradigm Studio 100 V.2

[KIRKLIN]

Help ! ! ! ! !

I'm trying to figure out what would be the best match/power source for my studio 100's. Running them with:

Yamaha RX-Z1 alone
Parasound HCA-2200 (RX-Z1 as a pre-amp)
Yamaha M-80 (RX-Z1 as a pre-amp)

Anyone have any experience with the mentioned equipment and/or thoughts on what you think would yield the best results? I have all of the above mentioned equipment. The way set-ups are going in todays-day-and-age, BIG AMPS aren't called-on the way they once were.

I understand MORE power is suppose to increase the speakers ability to OPEN-UP, but with room size being a constant, what is the actually benefit of more power versus increasing the volume?

Ability wise, all three CAN run the Studio 100's, but I'm looking for which would do it easiest and what should yield the best results - Thank you in advance for any all suggestions

- Kirklin

 

[stiletto pat]

Paradigm Studio Ref. 100s...

Kirklin,

I think the basic answer to your question is that the more power capacity an amplier possesses, the greater the possibility that it will not have to be driven to it's limits to reach high volume levels, thus providing cleaner power output. You may not hear a difference between driving your speakers with a 150 Watt / Channel amplifier vs a 200 or 250 Watt / Channel amplifier, depending upon how hard (loud) you are attempting to drive your speakers. That said, any of the amplifiers you listed should sound great with the Paradigms.

When I was listening to amplifiers / receivers before purchasing, I did have the opportunity to listen to a large Denon, Yamaha and B&K Home Theater receivers, and found that I preferred the sound of the B&K the best. It didn't have as many bells and whistles as the other two units, but I thought it sounded cleaner and more open. I think it's something you're just going to have to experiment with, given your ability to line up the equipment for testing....

By the way, I have the Studio Reference Series 100 V3s, the V3 CC-470 and V3 ADP-470s, and love them.

Good luck,

Pat