Yamaha RX-V2500 Main amp VS Adcom GFA-1

[Recone]

Hello,

Does anyone have an opinion regarding the use of a GFA-1 for main speakers (via the pre out of the Yamaha) compared to the built in amp of the RX-V2500? Speakers are Paradigm Reference series 80. Would I risk a timbre mismatch?

Any thoughts would be helpful. Thanks.

Recone Helmut

 

[Recone]

Anyone? Any advise is appreciated.

r

 

[zumbo]

Amp has nothing to do with timbre-match of speakers.

When you add the amp, be sure to run YPAO again.

It will sound exactly the same.

 

[XEagleDriver]

Doubt it would be an issue

Hello,

Does anyone have an opinion regarding the use of a GFA-1 for main speakers (via the pre out of the Yamaha) compared to the built in amp of the RX-V2500? Speakers are Paradigm Reference series 80. Would I risk a timbre mismatch?

Any thoughts would be helpful. Thanks.

Recone,

I'll bite (STS). I am considering a similar amp addition (also for a Yamaha receiver), and here is what I have found out thus far: From my on-line research, in general, (not specific to the v2500) mid-level Yamaha receivers do pretty well driving 4 or less of their 5-7 channels to near "rated" power, but above that they seem to tap out their power supplies and drop off rather dramatically on delivered power per channel. Therefore, the additional amp to run your mains should be beneficial to the system as a whole. At least, this is the logic I am trying to sell with my wife

I have not heard/read of timbre mismatch when adding an ADCOM amp. ADCOM is one of the companies my more knowledgeable AV friends suggested to me. It seems quite a few folks in this forum use amps different from their other channels to power their mains. Hopefully, some of them will pipe up with more direct experience(s).

IMHO different brand/sized speakers would be much more likely to produce timbre problems than amps. But, the proof would be in the listening.

 

[zumbo]

I have not heard/read of timbre mismatch when adding an ADCOM amp. ADCOM is one of the companies my more knowledgeable AV friends suggested to me.

Oh my! Amp brand has nothig to do with timbre-match of speakers.

 

[zumbo]

Timbre-matching refers to speakers being voiced the same.

In other words, don't use a center-channel speaker that is not voiced the same as the mains.

Timbre-matching is not an amplifier term.

 

[XEagleDriver]

Zumbo,

Thanks for the clarification on the terminology.

However, the OP's basic question remains, does he need to be concerned with any negative audible colorations (or whatever the correct term is) from having some of his speakers powered by his Yamaha receiver and others by a different brand amp?

My inclination is no, but I would not claim to know definitively. It is not too uncommon to read of amps being described as warm, bright, etc in relation to other brand amps. Are these type descriptions BS in your opinion?

r/

 

[zumbo]

Zumbo,

Thanks for the clarification on the terminology.

However, the OP's basic question remains, does he need to be concerned with any negative audible colorations (or whatever the correct term is) from having some of his speakers powered by his Yamaha receiver and others by a different brand amp?

I answered this in my very first reply. It will sound exactly the same.

It is not too uncommon to read of amps being described as warm, bright, etc in relation to other brand amps. Are these type descriptions BS in your opinion?

r/

Amps of similar design, and equal power(not all specs are equal), will sound the same.

It is my opinion that the pre-amp has more to do with the sound.

In this case, the amp will be added to the existing receiver acting as the pre-amp.

 

[cfrizz]

Hi Recone.

You will have no problems with timbre mismatching. All amplifiers do is amplify the sound.

All you have to do is calibrate all speakers so that they put out the same volume.

At one time, I had an Outlaw monoblock for my center channel & a Parasound amp for my main speakers. All worked flawlessly and sounded the same, much better than having my Denon reciever powering them.

So get the amp & enjoy.

 

[Recone]

Zumbo,

It is not too uncommon to read of amps being described as warm, bright, etc in relation to other brand amps. Are these type descriptions BS in your opinion?

r/

Exactly. I was always under the impression that the amp colors the sound in some noticeable way. Is this completely false? It's all i the pre-amp? If you could find a $100 amp with the exact specs as a $1000 amp, they're going to sound exactly the same?

Anyway, thanks everyone for the replies, this is very helpful. I think I'm going to add the amp just for fun - if nothing else, it takes some strain off the main amp and may prolong it's life a bit. I tend to play bass heavy music at fairly high volume once the wine starts flowing so.... ya know.

r

 

[zumbo]

Exactly. I was always under the impression that the amp colors the sound in some noticeable way. Is this completely false? It's all i the pre-amp? If you could find a $100 amp with the exact specs as a $1000 amp, they're going to sound exactly the same?

No. Not all specs are equal. Many are fudged. That's why I posted the way I did.

Amps of similar design, and equal power(not all specs are equal), will sound the same.

When I say equal, I mean equal. NOT SPECS.

 

[mtrycrafts]

... It is not too uncommon to read of amps being described as warm, bright, etc in relation to other brand amps. Are these type descriptions BS in your opinion?

r/

Absolutely, unless one amp is designed to be euphonic on purpose.
Audio, like most things in consumerland is full of mythology, bs, voodoo, urban legends, etc.

 

[mtrycrafts]

Exactly. I was always under the impression that the amp colors the sound in some noticeable way. Is this completely false? It's all i the pre-amp? If you could find a $100 amp with the exact specs as a $1000 amp, they're going to sound exactly the same?
r

Amps with low output impedance, most solid state amps are, flat frequency response in the real audible band, operated withing its design limits will sound the same when properly level matched to .1 dB spl during a comparison and bias is removed from the comparison, a DBT comparison
Same applies to preamps, except the impedance and not being a passive preamp.
Audio is full of urban legends and voodoo bs.