kzone Posted March 29, 2006 Posted March 29, 2006 Hi, anyone has experience of using different brand/model/power rating amp for different channels? What problem do you face? Eg. - Front 2 - Stereo Power Amp - Centre - Mono block or Bridged stereo - Surround - Stereo Power Amp Thinking of the above cos its so difficult to get a gd high powered multi channel amp in the resale market...
louco73 Posted March 29, 2006 Posted March 29, 2006 I use a Bryston 14B ST (2 channel ~600W/channel) for my LR and a Lexicon 312 (really is a Bryston in disguise, with 3 channels @ 120W each). Both purchased 2nd hand here in Singapore. It works fine for me! When I eventually upgrade my AVR so I can do 7.1 I will probably just use that to power the extra 2 speakers. There may be some adjustments required if the gain is not quite the same as the Brystons I guess, but otherwise I can't see any major issues.
DIRTRUN Posted March 29, 2006 Posted March 29, 2006 Hiya Kzone, I don't have what you are asking here in that I use an ancient Rotel 985 power amp to power 5 channels but the surr. back is still powered by the AVR. Even thou on paper my Pioneer avr is 100 wt/ch., same as the Rotel, the Rotel still sounds much cleaner when pushed hard, surprisingly in the midrange and not the low end. The cons is that maybe level balance may be out but that is what calibration is for, rite? Cheers. Dirtrun
DizzyD1624705734 Posted March 29, 2006 Posted March 29, 2006 There should be no issue as long as calibrate your output levels with a SPL meter.
kzone Posted March 29, 2006 Author Posted March 29, 2006 Ahhh.... so to summarise, is the level of loudness which can be caliberated via the processor with the help of an SPL meter? How about "matching of sound"? Will there be a noticable difference in sound in the front 3 during LR panning etc?
DIRTRUN Posted March 29, 2006 Posted March 29, 2006 Ahhh.... so to summarise, is the level of loudness which can be caliberated via the processor with the help of an SPL meter? How about "matching of sound"? Will there be a noticable difference in sound in the front 3 during LR panning etc? Yes for loudness as there is like 3db diff for every doubling of power for everything else being constant, I think... Calibrate with calibration disc as well then the whole chain of source/cables/avr/amp is taken into consideration if avr test tone, you only use avr/amp only. Timbre matching more for different drivers in LCR only lo, besides my tin ears cannot tell difference even then, good ah, hehehe, cheaper that way.... Regards. Dirtrun
Luv4nature Posted March 29, 2006 Posted March 29, 2006 May be you should also see this thread: http://www.echoloft.com/cgi-bin/YaBB/YaBB.cgi?board=tell&action=display&num=1142172531 You can set up a primary stereo system, and then build a HT sound system around it. Are you still using YBA Integre?
SiriuslyCold Posted March 30, 2006 Posted March 30, 2006 i thought i saw someone selling a pair of rotel poweramps - yahoo auctions or ebay sg can't remember...
kzone Posted March 30, 2006 Author Posted March 30, 2006 May be you should also see this thread: http://www.echoloft.com/cgi-bin/YaBB/YaBB.cgi?board=tell&action=display&num=1142172531 You can set up a primary stereo system, and then build a HT sound system around it. Are you still using YBA Integre? I already have a stereo system with bookshelf spkrs, tried to built a HT around it but I prefer floorstanding for HT front 2 so gonna have a seperate system. Yeah, still using the YBA integre... like the sound & more importantly cant afford to get any of those that I like better ;D ;D Still on a look out for a good matching CDP though... but once again budget very tight. Currently a modded 63 is standing in. Already got the following for my HT : B&W 803S2 for e front 2 82" stewart firehawk Would welcome suggestions & alerts to any fine products appearing in e the resale market :)
Luv4nature Posted March 30, 2006 Posted March 30, 2006 If you want, u can retain the use of your Integre for front LR, and get a YBA / Audio refinement multichannel amp to make up to 5.1 or 7.1, and then B&W center & surround speakers, there's a wide B&W range to choose from I believe. You'll then have a pretty sonically seamless system.
ricky101 Posted March 30, 2006 Posted March 30, 2006 Ahhh.... so to summarise, is the level of loudness which can be caliberated via the processor with the help of an SPL meter? How about "matching of sound"? Will there be a noticable difference in sound in the front 3 during LR panning etc? I'm using Krell for my L/R and a Rotel multichannel for the rest. There's definitely a diff in terms of sonic character, spl can always match via the proccessor. I would say, the sound are not as 'together'. Then again I think it boils down to how much different the amps are. Also my system a bit of a rojak, diff speakers brands, diff price range, thus, dunno if it's the amps or the speakers. But I did tried comparing the two driving my front speakers and the diff is night and day.
synthesis1624705793 Posted March 30, 2006 Posted March 30, 2006 ........ But I did tried comparing the two driving my front speakers and the diff is night and day. It could be due to different default gain of the power amp. Using Rotel power amp (same as yours) I need to turn up volume louder to get the same spl as compared to driving the speaker directy by AVR.
ricky101 Posted March 30, 2006 Posted March 30, 2006 It could be due to different default gain of the power amp. Using Rotel power amp (same as yours) I need to turn up volume louder to get the same spl as compared to driving the speaker directy by AVR. err, sorry for the confusion, I wasn't referring to the spl. It's more of the sound quality. The bass grip from the krell is audibly better (depth and impact). Vocal wise, much fuller and better imaging/soundstage. Even playing the pink noise, the tonal character is significantly different. As such, it is my guess that overall integration during multi-channel playback might not be as ideal if all my pwr amps were to be krells.
relakbro Posted March 30, 2006 Posted March 30, 2006 How about "matching of sound"? Will there be a noticable difference in sound in the front 3 during LR panning etc? I've tried using different brand amps for my fronts vs centre and find that I can detect a difference, despite the speakers all being the same brand. I suggest you keep the front 3 as similar as possible (amps and spkrs). The surrounds and rears (if any) are a little more flexible (I use different amps, altho I find it helps to have same brand spkrs here too). Good luck.
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