From Just a Receiver to Separate Amp, What Degree Of Improvement Did You Notice??

Geoff S · 06-12-2003, 10:42 AM

For a long long time I've heard that there was a night and day difference between using just a receiver, and using the receiver as a pre/pro with separate amps.

I am considering going this route, maybe not soon (lack of funds) but yes, eventually. But before I consider spending up to another $1,000 on HT equipment (which is on average $1,000 a year minimal habit for the last 4 years, so I'm due to spend some more

)

Question 1: What degree of improvement have others seen in adding separate amplification to their speakers and useing their receiver as a pre/pro? How many times better was the sound (under any setup)?

Question 2: Here is my scenerio, I am using a Denon 4802 receiver, which has a good amp section already meeting THX Ultra specs. I am considering a Parasound HCA-1205a 5 channel amp to drive the Left, Right, Center, and 2 surrounds with the 4802 to drive my 6th EX speaker (this will keep each speaker being run from discrete power supplies with 140 watts x5 and 125 watts x1). Does this setup sound good? I like the Parasound cause of the price and features. Does this change seem like it'll make a night and day difference, or at least a significant increase in sound quality that an untrained ear can clearly hear?

Thanks everyone for your help and suggestions!

06-12-2003, 11:49 AM

I just added an Outlaw 750 to my Onkyo TXDS676 receiver and I think to say that there is a night and day difference would be an exaggeration. Many home theater buffs are given to hyperbole, myself included, and the addition of a new piece always causes some initial excitement. That being said the amps in the outlaw are obviously better than those in my receiver. At low volumes they actually sound pretty similar, it's when I crank it that the difference becomes quite apparent. The oulaw is loafing and has endless headroom, it never sounds strained or compressed , it is also much quieter than my onkyo and center channel dialog is more intelligible. I have used other separate amps with my onkyo, marantz, carver, parasound, etc. The outlaw is the best and a keeper for me. Your 4800 is a very nice piece and I think you would probably mostly benefit from a separate amplifier only if you like listening at fairly loud levels. Improvement yes night and day YMMV. When you've got the bug it's hard to leave well enough alone

Angelo.M · 06-12-2003, 01:16 PM

Quote:

Does this change seem like it'll make a night and day difference, or at least a significant increase in sound quality that an untrained ear can clearly hear?

No.

Spencer J · 06-12-2003, 03:21 PM

I added an Outlaw 7100 to my Sony V555ES and the results were impressive (to me, anyway). The 7100 is actually rated for lower output than the Sony (100w vs 125w), but we all know by now about certain manufacturers' *ahem* optimism.

I needed to add an a/c offset killer from Ah! (filthy current in my apt.), but the bass and treble are much improved with the Outlaw (headroom, too).

For $1000, I have better sound and the trail marked for a 7.1 upgrade to separates. When this Sony is gone, I'm off the receiver merry-go-round for good!

06-12-2003, 06:16 PM

Spencer,
I take it you were experiencing some transformer hum from your 7100. I get a little hum from my 750, and every other amp with a torroid transformer I've tried in my home. I actually have to put my ear to the case to hear it so it is not enough to be bothersome and nothing at all through the speakers. I have a lower end monster cable surge suppressor/ line conditioner. Torroids seem to be very sensitive to dirty or insufficient current.

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Michael R Price · 06-12-2003, 08:18 PM

The improvement in bass quality and clean dynamic output is obvious. The other improvements are significant, but not so obvious.

Shiu · 06-12-2003, 09:49 PM

Spencer, does the offset killer help reduce transformer hum in you DA4ES as well? Mine 4ES hums a little bit, but it is not noticeable unless I get really close to it.

DanaA · 06-12-2003, 09:49 PM

My situation is a bit different from yours in that your Denon is a better receiver than the Onkyo 696 I was using (with its disappointing actual power), but I was floored when I added the 1205A. More dynamic. Much improved low end. Cleaner sounding. Just better and significantly so. On occasion, I like to crank things up and it does so without sounding compressed or strained in any way. I personally would rather have a root canal than go back.

Brett DiMichele · 06-13-2003, 03:41 AM

I went from my Onkyo 787 (100WPC x 6 @ 8Ohm and that's not
a fudged number like the newer models) running the HF and LF
sides of my Towers to an external sub amp (500Watt RMS) and
Onkyo's M-282B 110Watt x 2 @ 8Ohm 2 channel power amp. The
difference for me was tremendous simply because my Reciever
could not handle extremely dynamic passages. Bass heavy
movies or music and my speakers total impedance was dropping
into the 1-2Ohm range and the Reciever would go into Thermal
Protect every single time (unless I kept the volume super
low of course..)

So when I went to an external set of amps and did a real
Bi Amp on my mains it was phenominal (as it should be, since
I was obviously way underpowered).

As always YMMV!