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05-27-2003, 09:51 PM
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#31 of 64 
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Why not just choose them based on power supply and capacitors, warranty, price, looks, etc. I.e., things that can at least be quantified and distinguished between two different models?
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One is doing one a dis-service by paying attention to things like that.
OH - thats right, all audio gear sounds exactly the same. My bad, i'll retreat now. All receivers, pre-amps, DVD players, cables, everything sounds the same.
-edit- and now for some helpful advice...don't worry too much about a neutral amps. Get the one that works well with your speakers and speaker wire. |
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05-27-2003, 09:59 PM
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#32 of 64
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My speakers are Paradigm Monitor 7's driven w/ a Sony DA4ES. If I went w/ a warm sounding amp, I might have to go w/ horn loaded speakers such as Klipsch to balance things out.
"What does God want with a Starship?" - Captain Kirk from Star Trek V: The Final Frontier.
"For the first few minutes of the film, I had accidently listened to the Dolby Digital track." - Ron Epstein (HTF)
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05-27-2003, 10:14 PM
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#33 of 64
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Kevin,
In all seriousness, save your money and get the speakers you like. Then get an amp.
Your 4ES isn't having any troubles with you monitor 7s.
Are you looking for more volume? If so then any of the more powerful amps will help you out.
If you're looking for something else then maybe start looking at speakers/room first.
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05-27-2003, 11:18 PM
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#34 of 64
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A disservice? Please. It's much more logical to base buying decisions on concrete factors rather than gobblledygook pseudoscience. No, not everything sounds the same - tubes introduce more distortion and have an accordingly distorted sound, as do some really poorly made solid state amplifiers. But well designed and well manufacturered SS amps? Stereophile (the modern locus of audio pseudoscience) did a test years ago trying to prove that different amps sound different, objectively. As much as they distorted their results and explanations, as well as test methodology, the inescapable conclusion is that it is exceedingly difficult to discern any differences, if at all possible.
A disservice? When advice can save someone money and prevent second-guessing and lack of sleep over their purchasing decision, I'd hardly call that a disservice.
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05-27-2003, 11:28 PM
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#35 of 64
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Kevin, I use to have a Sony 30ES receiver that I used with my 12 year old Klipsch Forte' speakers. I added a Rotel 1095 amp with the receiver. The Rotels power showed me everything that was wrong with the Sony receiver. I replaced the Sony with a Acurus Act-3 preamp processor. Sometimes adding an amp to a receiver isn't the way to go. I've of course changed everything in my system since then. But, did learn that I'm done with receivers as a main HT processor.
If the Sony works for you. I'd suggest trying an amp into your system before you purchase. It could save you in the long run.
Enjoy the Toys!
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05-28-2003, 06:42 AM
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#36 of 64
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What I'm looking for is improved 2-channel music and more intelligible dialog from my center channel on movie playback.
"What does God want with a Starship?" - Captain Kirk from Star Trek V: The Final Frontier.
"For the first few minutes of the film, I had accidently listened to the Dolby Digital track." - Ron Epstein (HTF)
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05-28-2003, 08:37 AM
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#37 of 64
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more intelligible dialog from my center channel on movie playback.
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I got this benefit bigtime when I replaced my "center" channel speaker with a speaker that is identical to my L/R mains. If you're not running tower mains, this may be a better avenue to explore than an amp.
Philip Hamm
Moderator Emeritus
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05-28-2003, 09:38 AM
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#38 of 64
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Are there any amps considered warm that don't roll off the highs?
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Yes, Melos amps and some of the early Audio Research products. Cary amps and VTL amps can sound warm but still do the highs nicely.
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People have a hard time distinguishing a $1000 amp from a $7000 amp.
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I don't. 
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Why not just choose them based on power supply and capacitors, warranty, price, looks, etc. I.e., things that can at least be quantified and distinguished between two different models?
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This gets into a religious debate Richard. Suffice to say that many of us who work in audio understand that measurements do not do a good job of describing the sound of an amp. There are many things only our ears can pick up.
no fears alone at night she's sailing through the crowd
in her ears the phones are tight and the music's playing loud
~skateaway
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05-28-2003, 10:59 AM
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#39 of 64
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What I'm looking for is improved 2-channel music and more intelligible dialog from my center channel on movie playback.
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Gotcha. Have you played around with speaker placement? You really can work wonders just by moving a speaker a few inches. On the center, can you point it to your listening position? I don't know if you have the center on a RPTV but you can tilt the speaker downward. On the mains can you move them into the room more and keep them away from side walls and corners?
As much as I like amplifiers and talking about them I believe (MHO) they are the last place to look for improving sound. Unless of course you are stressing your sony as it is now and want more volume...amps can indeed help there. |
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05-28-2003, 03:50 PM
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#40 of 64
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Under controlled conditions? Really? That's pretty impressive.
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This gets into a religious debate Richard. Suffice to say that many of us who work in audio understand that measurements do not do a good job of describing the sound of an amp. There are many things only our ears can pick up.
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And suffice it to say that I've never seen any test using real humans as subjects with real ears and real brains that could distinguish between two well made SS amplifiers under controlled conditions. It's one thing to claim a thing... it's quite another to prove it.
But, to address your point... it has been proven for decades that test instruments are much more sensitive than human ears. It is our brains, not our ears, which seem to be responsible for the never ending nuances we believe we hear between amplifiers, cables, green colored CD's, purified water vs. spring water, etc. |
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05-28-2003, 06:44 PM
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#41 of 64
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RichardHOS,
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gobblledygook pseudoscience.
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Ahaha! I going to steal that term!
Kevin Alexander,
Ditto on what John Royster said,
On someones recommendation here I purchased a set of Mopads that separate the center from the tv and angle your center speaker toward the listening area. With those was also able to move the front of center past the front edge of my RPTV and it made a huge difference and only cost me about $30.00.
http://www.auralex.com/sound_isolati...tion_mopad.asp |
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05-28-2003, 07:27 PM
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