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Should I upgrade?

  • Thread starter Thread starter JWUC
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JWUC

Audiophyte
Nov 13, 2020
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Hola All,
Waaay back when about 20 years ago, I was able to buy some B&K amps. I have three Reference 220M monoblocks and two 2220 stereo amps. They have served me faithfully all that time. They are currently powering some Troels Gravesen DIY kits (641 Excel center channel and CNO grande mains) Vienna Acoustics Waltz surround and used for exclusively Home Theater use. pre/pro - Yamaha CX-A5100

I have single-sided deafness due to illness and prize clarity over most other attributes. If I have to struggle to hear what's going on in a busy scene, I might as well not watch. I get enough "trying to figure out what's someone's saying" in my endless Microsoft Teams meetings.

So, the question is this....I am looking to upgrade the power amps. I would say the budget for all 7 channels (mains, center, rears, side rears) is somewhere around $8k. Are there options worth upgrading to at this price? or would amps at this price range be largely a waste?




Thanks
 
What would you gain by changing out what are (I'm assuming) perfectly functional amps? Changing amp won't help hearing loss issues....perhaps some EQ to help but don't know what changing amp would do. Maybe if anything have the amps serviced if necessary?
 
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The thought was that amp technology may have improved over the past 20 years, getting me more clarity, less heat, less footprint, worried they will just up and die since they are 20 years old, etc..

I haven't done a ton of looking into it, just curious before I make the research a second hobby
 
JWUC said:
The thought was that amp technology may have improved over the past 20 years, getting me more clarity, less heat, less footprint, worried they will just up and die since they are 20 years old, etc..

I haven't done a ton of looking into it, just curious before I make the research a second hobby
Click to expand...

Some components do age and yes it could I suppose be hard to tell somewhat with hearing loss. I'd say not too likely its an issue but only way to know is to have them tested and refurbished as necessary. If functioning, no, amp technology really hasn't solved those issues, but those are more speaker/room issues than amp issues (well, and hearing, too). Class D amps are lighter and no comparison to heat of a class A. I didn't look yours up, more made the assumption they're at least class AB rather than just A fwiw. In your shoes I'd experiment with the Yamaha's capable PEQ perhaps....
 
It's a great question. Is there a reason to upgrade AMPs or do they really stand the test of time absent hearing something strange that would clearly indicate the AMP is failing? Do aging components get out of specs to a point where it's easy to make that determination? I think PENG once indicated it can happen but its likely subtle enough that we wouldn't be able to tell very easily.

I have a similar question on some D-Sonic Monoblocks I just picked up that have Class D IcePower 500WPC+ but are pretty old. How would I know if they are perfect with their specs? I don't know. Trying to figure that out.

I tend to agree that maybe EQ or upgrade to a top flight center channel could be a better investment? And that's without knowing a thing about your speakers. They might be great already
 
Kleinst said:
It's a great question. Is there a reason to upgrade AMPs or do they really stand the test of time absent hearing something strange that would clearly indicate the AMP is failing? Do aging components get out of specs to a point where it's easy to make that determination? I think PENG once indicated it can happen but its likely subtle enough that we wouldn't be able to tell very easily.

I have a similar question on some D-Sonic Monoblocks I just picked up that have Class D IcePower 500WPC+ but are pretty old. How would I know if they are perfect with their specs? I don't know. Trying to figure that out.

I tend to agree that maybe EQ or upgrade to a top flight center channel could be a better investment? And that's without knowing a thing about your speakers. They might be great already
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You have an amp fetish from what I remember, tho, so will that make any difference? :) You could have the amps tested to see how far they've drifted from spec but seriously doubt in most cases its anything more than fear rather than fact.
 
You are on to me :)

less and less a fetish the more I am putting in my closet however! Need to find something else to waste money on
 
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Kleinst said:
You are on to me :)

less and less a fetish the more I am putting in my closet however! Need to find something else to waste money on
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LOL how about splurging on content (or even convenience) instead? Far more enjoyable in my experience....
 
I think 8k on amps would be lateral at best. I would buy some new speakers...
 
I’d spend the money an a professional acoustician to come measure the room, add additional room treatments, maybe a second sub and a minidsp, and definitely some professionally customized EQ.

Amp upgrade would pale in comparison.
 
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nathan_h said:
... maybe a second sub and a minidsp, and definitely some professionally customized EQ....
Click to expand...
Just built two new subs with CSS-SDX12s with Crown 2002s and a Mini DSP. Much better than the Daytons US-15s I had.

The mains and center are fairly new after replacing some Vienna acoustics mozarts.

Looks like I'll wait on upgrading the amps, maybe have the room measured. Thanks all!
 
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That kinda amp money can get you some really nice speakers. I'd be excited to speaker shop with that budget!
 
JWUC said:
Just built two new subs with CSS-SDX12s with Crown 2002s and a Mini DSP. Much better than the Daytons US-15s I had.

The mains and center are fairly new after replacing some Vienna acoustics mozarts.

Looks like I'll wait on upgrading the amps, maybe have the room measured. Thanks all!
Click to expand...

yeah it is pretty amazing what a pro can do and speaking as someone who had to have an ear drum replaced due to an accident, i know from personal experience that acoustic treatment in general is great for most rooms but even more important when one's hearing is not "normal".
 
nathan_h said:
yeah it is pretty amazing what a pro can do and speaking as someone who had to have an ear drum replaced due to an accident, i know from personal experience that acoustic treatment in general is great for most rooms but even more important when one's hearing is not "normal".
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Holy balls!!!!! Ear drum replacement? Didn’t even know that was a thing. Sounds horrible, hopefully it wasn’t too bad an experience.
Oh yeah. Treatments can absolutely transform a system.
 
It was shitty but it worked and makes one appreciate modern medicine a whole lot.
 
nathan_h said:
It was shitty but it worked and makes one appreciate modern medicine a whole lot.
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Crazy.
Have to ask if you don’t mind. Do things actually sound the same as before? Or even from one ear to the other?
 
Brain had to relearn spatial orientation and who knows what else. I don't think things sound the same per se, but "accurate" still means that something over speakers sounds "the same" as things in the real world, which was interesting to realize.
 
nathan_h said:
Brain had to relearn spatial orientation and who knows what else. I don't think things sound the same per se, but "accurate" still means that something over speakers sounds "the same" as things in the real world, which was interesting to realize.
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Did you get the upgraded eardrum with Audyssey XT32 built in? Did it come with a measurement mic? What does your fr look like now? :p

Dude, I'm with Bill. I didn't even know that was a thing! Having to relearn spatial orientation doesn't sound like a lot of fun.
 
Right?!?! I feel like the world would be like this...
9f3d98c9767077df0cc36de4d1528b68.jpg

Btw, I wanna try some of these out really bad. Talk about a trip!
 
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