Home Theater Forum - View Single Post - Why all amps and receivers aren't the same.

Seth=L · 09-26-2006, 10:47 AM

For music listeners, true RMS power is important. If one listens to heavy metal at very high volume, then they would likely want some true rated power. With home theater we may not need that continuous power.

An example of how skewed the ratings are. I have a Carver AV-505 5 channel amplifier. It is rated at 80 watts RMS per channel all channels driven 8 ohms from 20hz-20khz at 0.08THD. The amp weighs 42 pounds. It has an oversized power supply, modular design, and caps the size of small aerasol cans. I had a Onkyo TX-DS787 THX Select receiver rated at 100 watts RMS 8 ohms (20hz-20khz at no more than 0.08THD). It weighed 36.6 pounds.

Now I am not saying the Onkyo TX-DS787 is a bad receiver, I am just saying it's power ratings are less than true. Note the Onkyo has a six channel amp versus the 5 channel Carver, so not only is the power divided amongst more channels in the Onkyo, it has numerous other factors weighing against it's truth in power. Input power is 440 watts, where as the Carver can draw up to 900 watts. The Onkyo weighs almost 10 pounds short of the Carver, which the Carver is exclusively an amplifier. The Power supply is smaller in the Onkyo,as are the Capacitors, and the output stages.

While 80 watts doesn't seem like much, it really is on the Carver. It makes the THX certified Onkyo's 100 watts, tuck it's tail between it's legs and run home to it's mommy. I also had at one time a Kenwood power amp that was rated at 150 watts rms, the Carver still smokes even that.

Funny thing is, you can get Carver amplifiers for so cheap now, because the company doesn't really exist anymore, Bob has moved on to bigger and better things since Carver.

09-26-2006, 10:47 AM	#6 of 68
Seth=L *Seth L* Member Location: I live over there. Join Date: Jul 2006 Local Time: 11:37 PM Local Date: 12-01-2008 Posts: 1,294	Re: Why all amps and receivers aren't the same. For music listeners, true RMS power is important. If one listens to heavy metal at very high volume, then they would likely want some true rated power. With home theater we may not need that continuous power. An example of how skewed the ratings are. I have a Carver AV-505 5 channel amplifier. It is rated at 80 watts RMS per channel all channels driven 8 ohms from 20hz-20khz at 0.08THD. The amp weighs 42 pounds. It has an oversized power supply, modular design, and caps the size of small aerasol cans. I had a Onkyo TX-DS787 THX Select receiver rated at 100 watts RMS 8 ohms (20hz-20khz at no more than 0.08THD). It weighed 36.6 pounds. Now I am not saying the Onkyo TX-DS787 is a bad receiver, I am just saying it's power ratings are less than true. Note the Onkyo has a six channel amp versus the 5 channel Carver, so not only is the power divided amongst more channels in the Onkyo, it has numerous other factors weighing against it's truth in power. Input power is 440 watts, where as the Carver can draw up to 900 watts. The Onkyo weighs almost 10 pounds short of the Carver, which the Carver is exclusively an amplifier. The Power supply is smaller in the Onkyo,as are the Capacitors, and the output stages. While 80 watts doesn't seem like much, it really is on the Carver. It makes the THX certified Onkyo's 100 watts, tuck it's tail between it's legs and run home to it's mommy. I also had at one time a Kenwood power amp that was rated at 150 watts rms, the Carver still smokes even that. Funny thing is, you can get Carver amplifiers for so cheap now, because the company doesn't really exist anymore, Bob has moved on to bigger and better things since Carver.