Speaker/Amp Matching

[Jason Lopez]

I'm brand new to this site, or any forum site for that matter. Anyway...the longer i'm in this hobby and the more educated I become...i'm realizing that proper component MATCHING has alot more to do with the sound of a system than the components themselves. I've had various speaker/amp combinations over the years, but was naive to the concept of matching components. I just figured if i was buying a highly reviewed speaker and a highly reviewed amp... that i was going to get the best sound. No wonder why i've never been truly happy with the sound of ANY of my systems. I've been just swapping speakers and electronics, hoping one day by chance i'd end up with with the RIGHT mix of components. What are the chances? Anyway...i'm tired of messin around and spending thousands on the next upgrade that may not be the optimum choice. So, I hope someone can help me. I'm keeping my speakers because they've been the biggest investment. I want to find an integrated amp that will make them sound their BEST. Is anyone familiar with... or has any experience with the Phase Tech PC 9.1 tower speakers? If so...i would like to know of an integrated amp that will really make them sound their BEST!!!

 

[mtrycrafts]

I'm brand new to this site, or any forum site for that matter.

Great. Welcome aboard. One suggestion is to read the goodies offered at the home page and the AV University tab to increase the knowledge base.
http://www.audioholics.com/

Anyway...the longer i'm in this hobby and the more educated I become...i'm realizing that proper component MATCHING has alot more to do with the sound of a system than the components themselves.

Well, not totally correct. Speakers need an amp to drive it properly, independent of brand names. Speaker impedance and sensitivity is important. Room size, listening levels, distances, and room acoustics are also considerations.

I've had various speaker/amp combinations over the years, but was naive to the concept of matching components. I just figured if i was buying a highly reviewed speaker and a highly reviewed amp... that i was going to get the best sound. No wonder why i've never been truly happy with the sound of ANY of my systems. I've been just swapping speakers and electronics, hoping one day by chance i'd end up with with the RIGHT mix of components.

Lots of reason for this. Room acoustics has a huge effect on the sound. Perhaps the room was wrong.

So, I hope someone can help me. I'm keeping my speakers because they've been the biggest investment.

While this may be the reality, you need to think if those speakers are indeed the right speakers that will make you happy. If they are not, no amount of other components can help you. Also, don't forget the room's impact on the sound. Perhaps that AV University will help you enough so you don't have to chase the rainbow.

I want to find an integrated amp that will make them sound their BEST. Is anyone familiar with... or has any experience with the Phase Tech PC 9.1 tower speakers? If so...i would like to know of an integrated amp that will really make them sound their BEST!!!

I caution you about the speaker's need on its own to satisfy. Perhaps you can audition those speakers at some audio stores that seem to have good listening rooms? Determining that is not easy either.
I am not familiar with those speakers but if they are poor performers, no amp or receiver will make then right. Again, room acoustics is equally important in the 'sound good' equation.

 

[fredk]

It looks like they are a 4 Ohm speaker, so the will be a little more demanding of a receiver.

'Best' would be the receiver that has all the features you like that will handle the higher current demands of a 4 Ohm speaker.

Dennons have beefy power supplies/amps in all their receivers. Stay away from the lower end of any line and you are probably fine. For instance, I know that the Onkyo 606 will not handle the 4 Ohm load of my speakers, but others with the 706 and 806 have had no issues.

 

[Jason Lopez]

It looks like they are a 4 Ohm speaker, so the will be a little more demanding of a receiver.

'Best' would be the receiver that has all the features you like that will handle the higher current demands of a 4 Ohm speaker.

Dennons have beefy power supplies/amps in all their receivers. Stay away from the lower end of any line and you are probably fine. For instance, I know that the Onkyo 606 will not handle the 4 Ohm load of my speakers, but others with the 706 and 806 have had no issues.

I currently have a NAD C352 integrated. It's rated at 80 watts...but with NAD's power drive technology the amp senses the impedance of the speaker and adjusts the power to best cope with that load...down to 2 ohms. I was thinking of a more powerful NAD but i know certain amps have tonal characteristics just like speakers do... and i don't know if the NAD sound is the best sound for Phase Techs.